1 John 4:1-6 - Homiletics

The power of trying the spirits.

In the preceding homily we laid stress on the duty here indicated of "trying the spirits," and also on the test with which we are furnished for applying to them through all time. We moreover there referred almost exclusively to them as ψευδοπροφῆται rather than as πνεύματα . But a close study of all the clauses in these six verses will disclose to us teachings of great vividness and power concerning the false prophets themselves—the point from whence they started, the mission on which they are sent, the region to which they are bound, and the spirit with which they are inspired. In fact, the apostle views their embassy and action as a part of the great mystery of "antichrist," which had been foretold, which had actually made its appearance, and which would have to be fought against and overcome. It is the right and the duty of Christians to "try the spirits" (as we have seen). But they are not left to go to this warfare at their own charges, or without being adequately empowered. To them the right belongs, to them the duty attaches, because to them the power is given. Let us see how, in the paragraph before us, this is shown. Topic— The power of trying the spirits a Divine bestowment.

I. THOUGH SPIRITS ARE VISIBLE AS SUCH , THEY MAY EMBODY THEMSELVES IN THE FORM OF PROPHETS . Indeed, it is only as "prophets" bring messages of truth or of falsehood—messages which belong to the spiritual realm—that we have any special concern with them; i.e., as we regard them and their message as above and beyond the sphere of the phenomenal, and as representing the noumenal (cf. 1 Kings 22:20-24 ; 2 Peter 1:21 ; 2 Peter 2:1 ; 1 Timothy 4:1 ). Note: It is by clearly apprehending the teachings of the Word of God concerning the spiritual world that we shall host be guarded against the prying and unholy pretensions of a spurious spiritualism (see homily on Deuteronomy 18:1-22 ).

II. THE INRUSH OF FALSE PROPHETS FROM TIME TO TIME IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTICHRIST . "This is that [ spirit ] of antichrist" ( 1 John 4:3 ); see homily on 1 John 2:18 . "This is that whole power and principle of the antichrist" ('Speaker's Commentary,' in loc., where see also a valuable historical note on 1 John 2:1 ).

III. THESE FALSE PROPHETS ARE COME FROM AFAR ON A MISSION TO THIS WORLD . The apostle says of them, they "are gone out into the world"—"on a mission of evil from their dark home" (Westcott). This world is regarded as the sphere in which they are to propagate their negations. This is but one of the many forms in which Scripture sets forth the mysterious conflict between good and evil, of which this world is at once the theatre and the witness. The struggle is between

(1) the serpent and Eve;

IV. THIS ANTICHRISTIAN MISSION TO EARTH IS INSPIRED BY A SPIRIT OF ERROR . And the apostle shows us here, as before (see homily on 1 John 2:18 , ut supra ) , that it is the business of this embassy to deny the truth. The first lie was, "Ye shall not surely die." The supreme lie of antichrist now is, "Jesus is not the Son of God." Wherever that lie flourishes, no saving truth can live. The forms in which it is now put are legion!

V. THESE ERROR - INSPIRED SPIRITS OWE THEIR INSPIRATION TO A PERSONAL LEADER . 1 John 2:4 , ὁ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ . The apostle sets forth here the personality of the evil one, as the one animating leader of the false prophets, just as vividly as our Lord set forth the personality of the devil as the father of lies. Difficult as the doctrine undoubtedly is, it is far less so than any theory of moral evil which represents it as having its seat in no one, and nowhere (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4 ; Ephesians 2:2 ; John 8:44 ). The fact is, neither the beginnings nor the endings of sin are shown us in the word. We only know what lies within the revealed termini.

VI. GREAT AS IS THE POWER OF EVIL WHICH IS IN THE WORLD , THERE IS A GREATER POWER IN BELIEVERS . ΄είζων ἐστὶν ὁ ἐν ὑμῖν . Satan is mighty, but there is a Mightier. The strong one has been vanquished by a Stronger ( Matthew 12:28 , Matthew 12:29 ; Matthew 4:11 ; John 16:33 ; Colossians 2:15 ; John 12:31 ). The evil one proved no match for Jesus Christ the Righteous when he sought to prevail against him in the desert. By the cross Satan was dethroned and Christ enthroned. And not all the band of hell-taught emissaries with which the world and the Church may be plagued for a while will ever overthrow the Spirit, the army, and the saving work of Christ. "God will bruise Satan under our feet shortly."

VII. THIS GREATER POWER IS " OF GOD ." The Divine Spirit may take possession of the human spirit. He does. The life of God in the soul of man is the great secret of personal religion. As bearing on our present theme, there are four ways in which God's Spirit may influence man's.

1 . By what has been called "prevenient grace;" where the Spirit of God goes beforehand, and predisposes him to hear God's Word. Our Lord spake of this, in words which have never yet been sufficiently laid hold of by the Church ( John 8:47 ).

2 . By regenerating grace. When a man is born of God, that wicked one toucheth him not.

3 . By the unction from above ( 1 John 2:20 ; see homily on 1 John 2:20 , 1 John 2:27 ). This imparts spiritual discernment.

4 . By the ardour and courage of a holy combativeness ( Ephesians 6:10-17 ).

VIII. WHERESOEVER THIS DIVINE POWER IS GIVEN , THE POWER OF ANTICHRIST IS GONE . νενικήκατε αὐτούς . "Them." All of them. "Ye have overcome them." You have already gained the victory! Your Lord's triumph is yours. On those who have in them the Spirit of God, antichrist can have no hold. So Paul ( 1 Corinthians 12:3 ). All depends on men being filled with the Spirit. If a man has not the Spirit of God, he will not say, "Jesus is Lord." If a man has the Spirit of God, he will not say, "Jesus is anathema." Against antichrist he will have an effectual guard. How will this be? Thus, by the teaching and power of the Spirit, he will be enabled

He will be enabled

Note:

1 . It is an unspeakable mercy to have the Spirit dwelling within us; by virtue of his unction, light, and might we shall have an inward and effective guard against the heresies of this and of every age. The possession of spiritual religion will be, as the late Rev. J.A. James expressed it, the surest preservative against the snares of infidelity and the seductions of a false philosophy.

2 . It is by means of the conflict that the believer is himself confirmed in the truth. We do not envy the man who shrinks from open conflict against error on the behalf of Christian truth. Such timidity argues either little faith in the power of the truth, or else small trust in the power of his Saviour. Let him in Christ's strength go forth to war, and when he is more than conqueror through him who loved him, he will have learnt a lesson of priceless worth in the power of Christ and the impotence of antichrist!