By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.
–1 John 4:2

The apostle John wanted the readers of his letters to clearly understand how they could identify the Spirit of God in the people they encountered.

When Jesus was still on the earth, He healed many people who were possessed with unclean, evil spirits (see Matthew 8:16, Luke 8:29, and Luke 11:14, for example). John saw this firsthand when he followed Jesus — though he never wrote about these healings in his gospel.

In John’s later writings — John I, II, and III — he warns against gullibility. “Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God because many false prophets have gone out into the world,” he says (1 John 4:1). In other words, don’t believe everyone who claims to be a Christian.

With his own ears, John had heard even demons recognize Jesus’ divinity (Matthew 8:29). He had been present at Jesus’ crucifixion — he knew how easily people could be misled. So he presents those who come after him with a foolproof way of recognizing God’s Spirit in those they meet: “every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.”

We may quibble over different styles of worship, but we must never fail to recognize God’s Spirit in our brothers and sisters who, like us, claim Christ as God’s Son and their Savior.

Reflection

In whom did I last see the Spirit of God?

Prayer

Holy God, Help me to not only recognize Your Spirit in Your other children, but to also let others see Your Spirit in me. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.

The Daily Bible Inspiration emails are coming to an end. Beginning on June 1, our daily devotions, complete with beautiful images and questions to inspire you on your daily walk with Jesus, will only be available in our iOS and Android apps. Though it won't be coming to your in-box, we don't want you to miss out on this valuable resource for Bible study and prayer. Download the app today. Please continue to pray for our ministry, as we continue to develop more tools to take the gospel of Christ "into all the world." Paid email newsletter subscribers will receive a full refund.