1 John 4:1-6

Welcome to the “Reading 1 John” Podcast – Episode 4: Discernment in a World of Deception In this episode, we dive deep into 1 John 4:1‑6, the passage where John warns us, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Pastor Ron Hall and host Peter Englert unpack what that looks like for believers today—​from the ancient battle against false teachers who denied Christ’s incarnation, to the modern‑day “prosperity gospel,” social‑justice theologies, and even the subtle ways the world can erode our faith. Together they explore three layers of discernment that John outlines: What belongs to God – learning to spot the spirit of truth versus the spirit of falsehood. What the message says – why affirming that Jesus “came in the flesh” is the litmus test for any teaching. Who is of God and who is of the world – the comforting truth that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.” Peter shares how discernment isn’t just about life‑changing decisions like career or marriage; it’s the series of tiny, everyday choices that shape our spiritual walk. Ron adds biblical depth, linking John’s call to “walk in the truth” with Hebrews 5:14, John 17:17, and the daily cross‑bearing of Luke 9:23. We’ll also hear vivid illustrations—a bank teller testing counterfeit money, the “little foxes” that spoil the vine, and historical flashbacks to early heresies like Docetism, Gnosticism, and the modern‑day antichrist spirit that still prowls. By the end of the hour you’ll walk away with practical tools for testing spirits, a clearer picture of why the incarnation matters, and a renewed confidence that the Christ who dwells in us is far stronger than any worldly influence.