The Apostle John is the only apostle believed to have lived a long life and died a natural death. By the time John wrote his letter that we know as 1 John, he had watched the Christian church grow, thrive, and weaken. The Christian church offered an audience that some outside the faith wanted to influence or serve for personal gain. 

These outside speakers presented a message that appealed to many of those who were young in the faith and not strong in the teaching of the apostles. John’s heart for the people is seen in the way he addresses them as “Beloved.” They were his church, his “children” in the faith, and he didn’t want to see them lose sight of the true gospel message. 

John told the church he loved, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” It has always been important to distinguish between what sounds or seems like something God would say and submit those words to biblical truth. The culture has usually taught a message that differs from the message of Christ. 

As John said, “Many false prophets have gone out into the world.” John gives the same warning to Christians today. We don’t have to wonder if the culture is still influencing God’s people with a message that conflicts with God’s word. False prophets will always teach a false message. But John would warn that some of those false prophets will enter the church as well.

A false prophet is anyone who teaches a message contrary to the truth of God’s word. We have all heard a message like that, and, most likely at some point, we have delivered false truth as well. Many words are spoken “in the name of Christ” that aren’t authored by the “word of Christ.” 

How can you tell if someone is a false prophet? Allow the word of Christ to dwell in you richly. The best way to determine if a hundred-dollar bill is counterfeit is to study one that isn’t. The same is true of God’s word. When truth dwells in us “richly,” we will be able to discern more easily what is only partially true. Beloved, don’t believe every spirit. A true prophet teaches biblical truth, even when that truth is unpopular or unappreciated.  

A true prophet has allowed the word of Christ to dwell in their life and their message.