How to Test Every Spirit

The Bible instructs believers not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1).

1. Does what it says agree with the Holy Bible?
God's Spirit will never contradict God's written Word. (Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16–17)

2. Does it glorify the Lord Jesus Christ?
The Holy Spirit always exalts and points people to Jesus Christ. (John 16:13–14; 1 John 4:2–3)

3. Does it promote unity, holiness, and obedience to God?
The Spirit of God leads believers into holy living, love, and unity in the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:3; 1 Peter 1:15–16)

4. Does it bear good fruit?
True spiritual influence produces the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23; Matthew 7:16–20)

5. Does it build up the body of Christ?
Spiritual gifts and revelations from God are given to strengthen, encourage, and edify the Church, not to create confusion or division. (1 Corinthians 14:3, 12; Ephesians 4:11–13)
Every spirit, prophecy, teaching, or revelation must be tested by the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. If it contradicts Scripture, dishonours Christ, promotes sin or division, bears bad fruit, or fails to edify the Church, it should be rejected.