In 1 John 4:1 we’re told…
believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world
It is our responsibility to test and try every spirit. So what test, according to 1 John 4, determines wether someone is “of God” or a false prophet?
Vs 2&3 tell us that every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is the spirit of antichrist.
Adam Clark defines the spirit of antichrist as follows...
"All the opponents of Christ’s incarnation, and consequently of his passion, death and resurrection, and the benefits to be derived from them.”
The word “anti” can mean “against” but it can also mean “in place of”.
It would appear that the antichrists in 1 John were against Christ.
The word “Christ” means “anointed one”.
Where does the bible say that Jesus Christ (the anointed one) came in the flesh?
John 1:1&14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
These verses indicate that Jesus Christ was God “manifest in the flesh”.
An opposing view to this would be that Jesus was a good man or great prophet but not actually God.
Still others, draw a distinction between Jesus being God and being the SON of God as though these were two different things.
1 John 4:9&10 say that God sent his son
9 In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The fact that the son was sent by God suggests that the Son was with God before being sent, which is explained clearly in John 1.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…
John 1 tells us that “the Word” is God and “the Word” pre-existed the birth of Jesus.
Then the last book of the bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, reveals Jesus as the Word of God.
Revelations 19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Why is it important that we believe Jesus was God manifest in the flesh?
Only God manifest in the flesh, could be the propitiation for our sins that we might live through him (vs 9&10)
How could we live THROUGH him if he were not God manifest in the flesh?
Hence those who deny that Jesus Christ (the anointed one) came in the flesh have an antichrist spirit, meaning they are against Christ.
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