A companion Bible study from Vince Baker Ministries
How does Scripture tell believers to test the spirits?
John tells believers to test spiritual claims and makes the confession of Jesus Christ come in the flesh central to that test.
Read the passage in context
- 1 John 4:1–6 · KJV
Wigglesworth starts from 1 Corinthians 12:10, distinguishes spiritual discernment from ordinary perception, and turns to John’s test concerning Jesus Christ.
From the passage to daily life
Read the rest of 1 John 4 for its teaching on love. Confession about Christ and the treatment of other people belong in the same letter.
Discussion and reflection
- How does Scripture tell believers to test the spirits?
John tells believers to test spiritual claims and makes the confession of Jesus Christ come in the flesh central to that test.
- Does discernment give me permission to accuse someone?
Start with the claim itself, compare it with Scripture, and seek mature counsel. Treat people with care and humility.
Put the study into practice
Discuss one claim as a group and write down the Biblical evidence before reaching a conclusion.
Historical source · Ever Increasing Faith (1924), chapter 17, pp. 146–150 · Open the original scan
