◄ What Does 1 John 4:5 Mean? ►

As children of God, we have the permanently indwelling Holy Spirit of God, and it is in Him that we have complete victory over the world, with abiding and eternal results. Nevertheless, we are to be on our guard against the many false and deceptive spirits that are in the world today and are called upon to test each one, however benevolent or enticing they may appear, for not all are of God.

John reminds us that they are from the world, therefore what they speak and teach is rooted in worldly philosophy and reflects the mind-set of the present age, which it is not founded on biblical truth.

Indeed, the testing of false spirits is closely linked with discerning false prophets, doctrines of demons, and deceptive teachers. Let us never forget that many who profess Christianity today do not have a saving faith, but are used by Satan to teach a false gospel and to lead many astray. Such false teachers are of the world and preach from a worldly wisdom, and they deliver a dangerous and false gospel.

True believers who are saved by grace through faith in Christ, stand in stark contrast with those that are unsaved and yet profess with their lips to be Christians. True believers are described by John as victors who hold fast to the truth of God's Word and are not swayed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, but the main contrast that John draws is that God is our Father, while Satan is the father of those that distort the glorious gospel of grace. We are not of the world, while they are from the world and therefore what they say comes from the false reasoning of the world. What they say is rooted in worldly wisdom, and the world gladly listens to them.

Let us never forget Whose we are and what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us on Calvary's Cross so that we might be children of God who have the Spirit of God dwelling in our hearts. Let us never forget that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Let us be ever mindful that they are from the world and so they speak as if they are from the world, and the world listens to them. Let us test every spirit to see if it is of God, for the enemy as a roaring lion prowls around seeking whom he may devour, but we have the mind of Christ.

Heavenly Father, help me to understand the truth that I am in the world but not of the world. May I not get discouraged when the world seems to love its own but hates me. Keep me from any form of worldly philosophy or from trying to please those in the world. May I never yearn for affection or adoration from the world, but may I set my mind on Christ Who loves me with an everlasting love. In Jesus' name, AMEN.