John urges believers not to believe every spirit, but to test them. Just because someone claims to speak for God doesn’t mean they actually do. The key test? What do they say about Jesus? If they confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, they’re from God. If they deny Him, they’re not. It’s not about how spiritual someone sounds—it’s about whether they affirm the truth of who Jesus is.
Devotional
We live in a world full of voices—preachers, podcasts, influencers, prophets, dreams, books, and opinions flying at us from every angle. And a lot of them sound really spiritual. But John gives us a gut-check: Don’t believe everything just because it comes with a “God told me” label.
Discernment isn’t about being skeptical of everything—but it is about being spiritually awake. John doesn’t say if false spirits show up—he says when. And the test isn’t complicated: What do they say about Jesus? Not just in passing, not just as a name-drop—but do they affirm the truth that Jesus came in the flesh, fully God and fully human? Do they elevate Him, or distract from Him?
This isn’t just about protecting doctrine. It’s about guarding your soul. Because anything that diminishes Jesus—His divinity, His humanity, His love, His sacrifice—is dangerous, no matter how polished or passionate it sounds.
You don’t need to be afraid. You don’t need to second-guess every word. But you do need to stay anchored. If Jesus isn’t the center, then it’s not the Spirit of God talking. Full stop.
Action
The next time you hear something that stirs your spirit—whether in a sermon, a book, or even a conversation—pause and ask: Does this lift up Jesus? Does it align with who He is and what He’s done? If not, let it go. Stay rooted in the truth of Christ.
Prayer
Jesus, You are the truth. Teach me to recognize Your voice and test every message I hear against Your Word and Your Spirit. Protect me from deception, and help me walk with clarity and confidence in who You are. Keep me grounded, bold, and full of Your truth. In Your name, Amen.
Thought for the Day
If the message doesn’t line up with Jesus, it’s not from the Spirit of God—no matter how good it sounds.
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