One day a friend I’d known for years called me, practically breathless with excitement. “God gave me the most incredible vision last night,” she said. “An angel appeared to me in brilliant light and told me I’m going to have a ministry greater than any apostle in history. I’m supposed to start teaching people special revelations that no one else has received.”
Something in my spirit immediately felt unsettled. Here was someone I cared about, genuinely excited about what she believed was a divine encounter. Yet the message focused entirely on her becoming “greater than any apostle” rather than glorifying Jesus Christ. The angel of light sounded impressive, but was it really from God?
I learned something important from this: not every spiritual experience comes from heaven. The Bible explicitly commands us to test the spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Today, I want to share some biblical principles. These can help you develop the spiritual insight needed to safely explore the spiritual world.
Key Takeaways
- The Bible commands believers to test every spirit rather than believe every spirit that claims to be from God.
- The primary test for any spiritual influence is what it says about Jesus Christ and His incarnation.
- Many false prophets are in the world. So, spiritual discernment is crucial for every Christian.
- Believers have victory through the Holy Spirit within them and don’t need to fear when testing spirits.
- To develop discernment, know God’s Word. Also, recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice through prayer and study.
The Biblical Foundation: Why We Must Test the Spirits
The apostle John wrote some of the most direct instructions about spiritual discernment in his first epistle. In 1 John 4:1 (KJV), he states:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
This wasn’t a suggestion—it was a command. John knew that believers would encounter spiritual influences in their lives, and not all of them would be from God. The phrase “many false prophets have gone out into the world” indicates this was already a significant problem in the early church.
Understanding the Spirit Realm
We live in both a physical and spiritual dimension. While we can see the physical world around us, there’s an invisible realm populated by various spirits. God is spirit. The Holy Spirit is obviously spirit. Angels are spirits, and according to Scripture, there are multitudes of them. But there are also evil spirits—demons, unclean spirits, lying spirits, and deceiving spirits.
The reality is that you are a spirit living in a physical body. When you die, your spirit will leave your body just like taking your hand out of a glove. This is why Jesus said on the cross,
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” – Luke 23:46 (NIV)
We are spiritual beings in a world rich with spiritual influences. So, we must learn how to test the spirits to know if they come from God.
The Primary Test: What Do They Say About Jesus?
The Confession Test
John provides us with the fundamental test for any spiritual influence in 1 John 4:2-3 (KJV):
“2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
This test centers on the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Any spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. And every spirit that doesn’t confess this truth is the spirit of the antichrist.
Why This Test Matters
The belief that Jesus Christ came in the flesh includes several key Christian teachings:
- The Virgin Birth: Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He didn’t have an earthly father but was born of a woman, making Him fully God and fully man.
- The Incarnation: God became flesh and walked among us. Jesus ate, slept, and experienced human life while remaining fully divine.
- The Crucifixion and Resurrection: Jesus died on the cross in the flesh and rose again the third day.
These foundational truths are not open for debate or discussion. Any spiritual influence that questions or denies these truths comes from the spirit of antichrist. This spirit is against Christ.
Recognizing True Reverence for Jesus
When testing spirits, look for genuine love, respect and reverence for Jesus Christ. If you truly know Him and have been born again, you cannot speak one disrespectful word about Jesus. You’d rather die than blaspheme His name or deny Him.
The right spirit glorifies Jesus. It does not lift up people or seek personal fame.
Recognizing Deceptive Spirits
Satan’s Masquerade
One of the most important truths about spiritual deception is found in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (KJV). Paul writes about false apostles who transform themselves into apostles of Christ:
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.”
Satan doesn’t appear with horns and a pitchfork. He masquerades as an angel of light. Bright lights and angelic appearances don’t always prove a spiritual encounter is from God.
Common Tactics of Wrong Spirits
After years of studying Scripture, I have seen much spiritual deception. And I’ve noticed some common patterns that wrong spirits use:
- Flattery and Pride Appeals. Wrong spirits often appeal to human pride by suggesting you’re more special, anointed, or chosen than others. They might say things like “You’re going to have a ministry greater than the apostles” or “You’re going to receive revelations no one else has.”
- Promoting Division. These spirits can make you feel bitter toward church leaders. They may also lead you to believe that others don’t value your gifts. They promote the idea that you’re being held back or held down.
- Self-Focus Rather Than Christ-Focus. The Holy Spirit honors Jesus, but wrong spirits emphasize human success and praise.
- Encouraging Rebellion. They often say that authority figures are wrong. So, they suggest you follow a different path.
Our Position of Victory
Greater is He That is in You
Here’s the encouraging truth that should end all fear when we test the spirits:
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4 (KJV)
As believers, we have the Holy Spirit living within us. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us. This means we have nothing to fear from any wrong spirit because the greatest Spirit of all lives inside us.
Actually, wrong spirits are afraid of the Spirit who lives in you. Death itself and all the powers of evil could not hold Jesus. He has already defeated them and brought them to nothing.
Walking Without Fear
This is why you don’t need to be weird or scared when it comes to spiritual discernment. You don’t need to fear demonic tricks. You have the ultimate protection and power inside you.
The key is maintaining balance—being wise as serpents but harmless as doves, as Jesus taught. We stay alert and discerning while walking in confidence and victory.
Practical Guidelines for Testing Spirits
The Thessalonian Model
Paul provides excellent guidance in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22:
“19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
This passage teaches us to:
- Not quench the Holy Spirit.
- Not despise prophecies.
- Test all things.
- Hold fast to what is good.
- Reject what is evil.
The “Eat the Hay, Leave the Sticks” Principle
Even well-meaning people can make mistakes when prophesying or sharing spiritual insights. Like a cow eating hay from a bale, we can take what’s good (the hay) and leave what’s not useful (the sticks).
This doesn’t mean we accept everything someone says just because part of it seems right. It means we use biblical discernment to separate truth from error. Even when both come from the same source.
Practical Steps for Testing
- Check Against Scripture. Does what you’re hearing align with God’s Word? The Holy Spirit will never contradict Scripture.
- Listen with Your Spirit. Pay attention to the internal witness of the Holy Spirit. Do you have peace or unrest in your spirit?
- Look for Fruit. Does this spiritual influence produce the fruit of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
- Seek Confirmation. Pray about what you’re hearing. Ask God for confirmation through His Word and other believers.
Developing Spiritual Discernment
Know the Holy Spirit’s Voice
The better you know the Holy Spirit’s voice, the easier it becomes to recognize when He’s speaking. Or when He’s not. This familiarity comes through:
- Regular Bible Study. Every page of Scripture contains the Holy Spirit speaking. The more time you spend in God’s Word, the more familiar His voice becomes.
- Consistent Prayer. Daily communion with God through prayer helps you recognize His voice and character.
- Spiritual Maturity. As you grow in your relationship with God, your ability to discern increases.
Internal Confirmation
Jesus said His sheep know His voice (John 10:4). When the Holy Spirit speaks through someone else to you, that same Spirit living in you will bear witness to the truth. You’ll have internal confirmation that what you’re hearing is from God.
If someone says they have a message from God for you, but you feel uneasy, that’s often the Holy Spirit telling you to seek more clarity.
Conclusion: Walking in Balanced Discernment
Testing the spirits isn’t about being suspicious or afraid of every spiritual experience. It’s about learning to hear God’s voice and staying aware of deception. As children of God, we can tell the difference between spirits. We have both the duty and the skill to do this.
Remember, you don’t need to figure this out on your own. The Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to write about testing spirits lives in you. He wants to help you develop discernment and walk in victory.
Next time someone says they have a message from God, a prophetic dream, or a supernatural experience, you’ll know how to react. Test it against Scripture. Listen with your spirit. Look for genuine reverence for Jesus Christ. And remember—greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
Stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit while remaining wise about deception. This balance lets you enjoy everything God offers without getting tricked by the enemy’s fakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I’m not sure whether something is from God?
A. When in doubt, wait and pray. God isn’t in a hurry, and He won’t be offended if you take time to seek confirmation through His Word and prayer. Remember, the Holy Spirit will never contradict Scripture. So anything that goes against biblical truth is not from God.
Q. Can believers be influenced by wrong spirits?
A. Yes, believers can yield to wrong influences without being possessed. Being born again doesn’t make you immune to deception—it’s why we need to test the spirits. As a believer, you have the Holy Spirit within you to help you recognize and resist wrong influences.
Q. How do I respond when I recognize a wrong spirit?
A. Don’t be harsh or condemnatory toward the person, but don’t accept the message either. You can politely say something like, “I need to pray about that” or “I don’t have peace about that right now.” If it’s in a church setting, you might need to speak privately with leadership.
Q. What about prophetic words that seem partially right?
A. This is where the “eat the hay, leave the sticks” principle applies. Take what lines up with Scripture and what your spirit bears witness to. But don’t feel obligated to accept everything just because part of it seems accurate.
Q. How can I grow in spiritual discernment?
A. Spend more time in God’s Word and prayer. The more you know the Holy Spirit’s voice and character from Scripture, the easier it is to tell when He is speaking. You’ll also better spot other influences in a situation.
