God's Children Overcome the Spirit of Antichrist.

Compare 1 John 2:18-28 (spirit of antichrist). John mentioned multiple "spirits" (plural) in this passage (cf. Jer. 29:8; Matt. 24:4; Eph. 5:6; 1 Tim. 4:1). These false prophets - driven by demons - were already in the Church. As Akin states:

In this case the anticipation of false prophets (pseudoprophetai) was not imaginary or hypothetical. They were already among John's audience, and in fact there were many (polloi) of them. Jesus had already warned his disciples about false prophets (Matt. 7:15; 24:11, 24; Mark 13:21-23). Similar warnings can also be found from Paul (Acts 20:28-30), Peter (2 Pet 2:1-22), and Jude (Jude 1:4-19).

John was probably referring to the supernatural forces (angels and demons) that influenced teachers in the Church. Apparently, some false teachers were attributing their doctrines to the Holy Spirit. John commanded his readers to test the spirits because there were many false prophets about (cf. Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:2; Rev. 2:2; cf. Deut. 13:1-5; 18:22). We are to verify all teaching in the light of God's Word (cf. 1 Thess. 2:4; 5:21). However, John did not see the problem of false teaching as a merely human affair. He drew attention to the supernatural influences on teachers because he realized that the Church is engaged in spiritual warfare (Eph 6:10-11). See WLC 105; BC 7.

test the spirits. See WLC 105; BC 7. Though John emphasized the anointing of God's Spirit on the community (see notes on 2:20, 27; 3:24; 4:1-3, 13), those who had gone out also claimed to be inspired by God's Spirit. Thus, John stresses evaluation and discernment. They must test the spirits. This is similar to Paul's guidance for the Corinthian and Thessalonian churches to value, but test prophecies (see notes on 1 Cor. 12:1-3; 14:29; 1 Thess 5:19-21)

Jesus is God in the flesh. See "The Full Humanity of Jesus: What Kind of Man Was Jesus?" and "Jesus Christ, God and Man: How Can a Man Be God?" below. One who denies this reality is not of God. Though the term flesh is often associated with sinfulness, here the meaning is different. Jesus was not sinful, but he became a part of this sinful world order. See "The Sinlessness of Jesus: Did Jesus Have to Be Without Sin?" and "Could Jesus Sin?" below.

Although there are other criteria to be considered, the key issue in the situation that John addressed was the perspective of a teacher and his spirit on the incarnation of Christ: only spirits who affirmed the incarnation were from God. Compare "The last hour - 1 John 2:18" below. See BC 29.

in the flesh… antichrist. See BC 29. See the Introduction and notes on 2:19 for more on the events that motivated John's letter. Both here and in 4:6, John describes the role of the Spirit as attesting the truth of about Jesus' identity, life and mission. To test the spirit behind a prophetic claim, John gives his readers a template: they must acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah, and that he came from God into the world by taking on human flesh. On the other hand, spirits of antichrist (see note on 2:18) are active in the world, denying these truths, though the Antichrist himself has yet to be revealed (see notes on 2:15-17).

Note the use of world three times (kosmos) in 1 John 4:5 and six times total in 1 John 4:1-5, revealing the relationship between the false teachers and Satan, the prince of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; cf. Eph. 2:2; 6:12; Col. 2:15), who was a liar from creation (1 John 3:8; Gen. 3) and is the father of said false teachers (John 8:44). John pointed to the world in its hostility to God (seed of the serpent vs. the seed of the woman; Gen. 3:15; cf. Rev. 12) as pervaded by the purposes of the Devil and therefore in antithesis to the purposes of God (cf. 1 John 2:15-17). Kistemaker points out:

Moreover, John makes an additional claim: "You . . . have overcome them" (compare 1 John 2:13, 14; 5:4, 5). The use of the plural them is a reference to the false teachers mentioned in the preceding paragraph. John writes the perfect tense, "you have overcome." In other words, they have already done so by obeying God's commands and honoring the teaching of his Word.

the one who is in the world. John's readers were not necessarily stronger or smarter than those who were deceived and departed from their fellowship. But, they have overcome the deceiver and his lying spirits, because they have held fast to the truth of the gospel. This is the work of the Spirit, who dwells in and among them, and who attests to Jesus truthfully (see note on 2:20).

from the world… from God… listens. In 2:15-17 (see notes), John wrote about the source, objects and results of the world's understanding, the world's viewpoint. Though God loves the world and sent his Son to save it (2:2, 15, 17; 4:9, 14; 5:4-5), the world is hostile to God (3:1, 13; 4:1). Therefore, it makes sense that the world accepts false testimony about the Father and the Son. But, those who have God's Spirit recognize the voice of their shepherd (see note on Jn. 10:4), and the prophetic, apostolic messengers he sends to testify about him. The New Testament, that is, apostolic testimony is another test of true prophecy and teaching about Jesus.