0837. 818. Tests to Try Spirits

818. Tests to Try Spirits

There are seven tests in 1 John 4, that are useful to test any impression, spirit, or doctrine.

1. Does it confess the true humanity of Jesus Christ?—1Jn_4:2, 1Jn_4:3.

2. Does it confess the true Divinity of Jesus Christ?—1Jn_4:9, 1Jn_4:15.

3. Does it confess the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ?—1Jn_4:10, 1Jn_4:14.

4. Does it tend to worldliness, and to a love of the outward?—1Jn_4:4, 1Jn_4:5.

5. Do the deeply spiritually-minded agree with it?—1Jn_4:6.

6. Does it witness to the spirit of Divine love?—1Jn_4:7, 1Jn_4:8.

7. Does it accord with the teaching of God’s Holy Spirit? —1Jn_4:13. The teaching of the Holy Spirit is found in the hearts of believers and in the Scriptures which He has inspired. The first of these has been mentioned under test five. We ask, secondly: Does it accord with the Holy Scriptures? Not with one text, but with the combined teaching of God’s Word?

By: DR. F. E. MARSH