Text: 1 John 4:1-6
Who are you listening to?
That question has never been more urgent. In a world filled with noise, countless voices claim to speak truth—and even to speak for God. But how do we know which ones to trust?
Can You Spot an AI Scam?
Not long ago, a national survey revealed that nearly half of Americans—48 percent—feel less “scam-savvy” than ever before because of artificial intelligence. As AI infiltrates our inboxes, phone calls, and social media feeds, the line between real and fake grows increasingly blurry. Only 18 percent of respondents said they felt confident they could recognize a scam before falling for it. Many admitted that if a scammer mimicked the voice of a loved one or sent a convincing message, they would probably be deceived.
It’s not surprising. Deepfake videos, AI-generated phone calls, and fabricated news posts have become so realistic that even sharp minds can be fooled. No wonder one in three Americans has fallen for some form of scam—and 40 percent within the past year.
One technology executive, commenting on the findings, warned people to remain vigilant as these tools grow more powerful. That word—vigilant—captures the heart of the Apostle John’s message in 1 John 4. Just as we need discernment to spot digital deception, we need spiritual discernment to distinguish between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
Testing the Spirits
John begins bluntly: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1).
Behind every teaching, every “prophetic” word, every cultural message lies a spiritual influence. Some are of God. Others are not. From the beginning, God’s people have been called to test those who claim to speak for Him (see Deuteronomy 13 and 18). The question has always been: Does this message lead me closer to God—or away from Him?
That remains our test today. Not every book labeled “Christian,” not every podcast quoting Scripture, and not every preacher online speaks from the Spirit of truth. As believers, we must be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11—examining everything by the Word of God. And we must do this together, humbly allowing others to correct us and helping them do the same. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.
The First Test: What Do They Say About Jesus?
John gives us a clear standard: “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” (1 John 4:2).
The false teachers John confronted didn’t outright deny Christ—they distorted Him. They denied that Jesus was both fully God and fully human. They reduced Him to a spiritual messenger rather than the incarnate Word of God who died for our sins and rose again.
The same danger persists today. Whenever a message minimizes Jesus’s divinity, questions His humanity, or undermines His authority, it’s not from God. These are, as John says, the spirit of antichrist—forces already active in our world.
That’s why we must know the real Jesus, not a cultural caricature of Him. When we’re clear about who He is—the Son of God, our Savior, Lord, and King—we can more easily recognize counterfeit versions.
The Second Test: What Do They Value?
John continues, “They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world.” (1 John 4:5).
False prophets often sound appealing because their message aligns with worldly desires—success, wealth, influence, and fear. The Spirit of truth, however, leads us toward humility, mercy, forgiveness, courage, and love.
If a message promotes self over sacrifice, power over service, or fear over faith, it does not come from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God always points us back to Jesus and His Kingdom.
And that’s the good news: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). We do not face deception alone. The Holy Spirit within us gives victory, confidence, and clarity.
Living in Light, Love, and Truth
So what does this look like in daily life?
- Living in Light means exposing every claim and teaching to the truth of God’s Word.
- Living in Love means correcting others gently, aiming for restoration rather than condemnation.
- Living in Truth means remaining loyal to the real Jesus, even when false versions seem easier to follow.
A Challenge for the Week
This week, take time to write down what you believe about Jesus, the Gospel, and your faith. When you are clear about what is true, you’ll recognize what doesn’t fit.
We live in a world filled with spiritual noise. The question isn’t whether we’ll hear voices—it’s which voice we’ll follow. May our ears be trained by the Spirit to recognize the voice of our Shepherd, so that we can walk in light, live in love, and remain rooted in truth.
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