1 John 4:1-6

Spiritual forces in this world are not neutral.  Indeed, the forces of the enemy are likened to a roaring lion seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).  We are continually being catechized, being formed, by the voices we listen to.  As a result, we must test those voices to discern which are of God, not by worldly metrics, but by this simple test: what does this spirit say about Jesus?  In his goodness to us, God condescended through his Son to speak to us in a way we can comprehend, so we can listen to the Spirit of truth and avoid the spirit of error.