The Duty of Testing the Spirits
J. J. Lias, M. A. 1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God… I. THE FAITH OF THE CHRISTIAN RESTS UPON INWARD CONVICTION, NOT ON OUTWARD AUTHORITY. 1. Scripture proof of this. (1) We are commanded to test the doctrines delivered to us. (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 2:10, 14, 15; 1 Corinthians 10:15). (2) The foundation of our faith is declared to be such (John 6:45; John 14:26; John 16:13; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 4:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 8:10, 11; 1 John 2:27; also Romans 14:5; Colossians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:5). 2. The occasions on which the apostles spoke with authority of their own had to do with minor matters. The gospel they had to deliver was entrusted to them from above, (1 Corinthians 9:16; Galatians 1:8, 9). Over that they had no power, (Ephesians 3:2, 3; Colossians 1:25; 1 Timothy 1:11). II. YET OUTWARD AUTHORITY HAS ITS OWN FUNCTION IN THE CHURCH OF GOD. It deals, not with the truths of Christianity itself, but with rules and ordinances, which touch, not the essence of the Church's life, but its details. III. THE TRUE LIMITS OF OUTWARD AUTHORITY. Every society must have its rules. Our conscience must be satisfied that there is nothing wrong in principle in these rules. IV. BY WHAT TEST ARE WE TO TRY THE SPIRITS? V. THERE ARE MANY ERRORS ABROAD. St. John warns the Christians of his day against error. The warning is equally necessary now. It needs not to specify instances. They fall under four heads:(1) traditional corruptions of the faith, whether in a Roman or a Protestant direction; (2) new revelations, such as Swedenborgianism, Irvingism, or Mormonism; (3) neglect of portions of revealed truth, such as has often led to the formation of sects; and(4) denial of all revelation, as in the various forms of infidelity. (J. J. Lias, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. WEB: Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.