They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. 1 John 4:5 WEB

Chapter four of 1 John begins cautioning the reader to test all spirits to see if they are from God. It is a warning to beware of false teachers because of the many false prophets present in the world. Identifying these worldly spirits is a simple matter of questioning their beliefs. If the person denies that Christ came in the flesh sent by God then that person is a false teacher. 

We read in 1 John 4:3, “but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. WEB” Contrary to popular worldly views, there is only one way to God and it is through Christ. Anyone who teaches otherwise, they are of the world and not of God. As Jesus teaches in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. WEB”

I Chose You

There are many false spiritual messages that are popular in the world. Often, these messages attract worldly people by ignoring the truth of our sin and sinful nature. Ignoring the need for repentance and obedience to our righteous Creator, worldly teachers lead many astray by telling them what they want to hear rather than the truth. As sinful men and women, we need the forgiveness of God that comes through our Savior Jesus Christ.  

Because they are of the world, these false teachers encourage people to imitate other sinful men to achieve a worldly standard. But God has a higher standard. This creates conflict between believers in Christ and those who present the spirit of antichrist. As Jesus teaches in John 15:19, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. WEB”

Yesterday’s Devotional: Call Your Husband