Introduction

Good day to you all. Let us turn our attention to the Book of 1 John, chapter four. This chapter is notoriously difficult to grasp, leaving one in confusion after repeated readings. It was only later that I discerned that the central theme Old John wishes to convey is that of Overcoming the spirit of the Antichrist and false prophets. Allow me to elucidate this matter for you step by step.

Test Every Spirit

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

The admonition, do not believe every spirit, is of paramount importance. This has had a profound impact on me because of the numerous extraordinary events I have witnessed over the years. I will now share stories concerning do not believe every spirit. It is notable that when Old John penned 1 John, he did not elaborate on what constitutes every spirit, nor did he expound on those spirits who confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, or those who do not, which complicates comprehension.

In the early days of establishing the church, we dedicated ourselves to much prayer. On one occasion, as several of us were gathered in prayer, a figure appeared from the outside. It was as if a vision was made manifest, so palpable was its presence. Dressed in a white robe, this figure knelt beside me as I was in prayer, identifying himself as Jesus. Conventionally, one might be overcome with elation, but I remained cautious. Is his assertion of being Jesus sufficient? The warning against believing every spirit necessitates rigorous discernment, attainable only through persistent pursuit of spiritual understanding.

Our 101 course begins with the chapter The Reality of the Spirit Realm. A church that lacks an understanding of the spirit realm is ill-equipped to heed the warning against believing every spirit; they have not yet reached that level of discernment. Despite the spirit's declaration, I was determined to ascertain the truth. I would not be convinced solely by the donning of a white robe; after all, could I not wear a white robe and claim to be Jesus as well? One day, one of our sisters received a fraudulent phone call claiming to be from Interpol, initiating an investigation. Had such a call come to me, I would have informed him that I am in the same line of work and offered to collaborate on the investigation. In this world, fraudsters undoubtedly outnumber the honest.

As one seeks to understand the spiritual realm, evil spirits are sure to present themselves. I find that our God is particularly gracious, correcting my errors, which is why I do not believe easily. I kept praying, rebuking the demon to depart, and I noticed it growing increasingly agitated. Suddenly, the white cloth fell away, revealing a wolf's face. I said, You think you can deceive me? and then cast it out. It was most displeased. Therefore, brothers and sisters, exercise caution against believing everything you encounter.

A woman came to us once, beset with a multitude of tragedies. Her husband's two sisters were afflicted with mental illness, and she herself suffered from rheumatism. As I prayed for her one day, rebuking the rheumatism, I beheld a swelling emerge on the back of my hand where it rested on the table, about the size of my thumb. Our co-workers were taken aback, and I myself pondered what lay behind this. Later, her rheumatism was healed, but that proves nothing.

Do not assume that healing necessarily indicates spiritual authenticity. What spirit is at play? This is why we must be careful not to believe every spirit. To my bewilderment, she suddenly left the group. I wonder why, if her illness was healed? It turns out that she had encountered a self-proclaimed prophet residing near her home, who cautioned her to be wary of me, the pastor, alleging that I harbored many issues. I would say that is perfectly normal. The problem lies in the fact that she believed this so-called prophet.

I have observed that those who seek healing and deliverance from me either have their demons cast out or are led astray by demons. As we advance the understanding of the spiritual realm, one must exercise extreme caution. You may be listening to this Bible study on the web or on YouTube, allowing you to grasp my interpretation of do not believe every spirit. It is vital to understand the spirit realm, for once it is understood, falsehoods are sure to arise. If that person were truly a prophet, shouldn't he have healed her rheumatism already, and her two sisters-in-law's depression as well? But she fails to consider this and instead believes the words of this so-called prophet who cannot bring about healing.

Why are these evil spirits, false prophets, and antichrists so prevalent? Precisely because so many believe in them. Why are telecommunications fraud groups so rampant? Again, because so many fall for their scams. I know a young man, about eighteen or nineteen years old, who has disappeared. We all suspect that he has been abducted, possibly even having his organs harvested. We must remember that not every spirit can be trusted. When one encounters the spiritual realm, one will inevitably encounter false prophets and the spirit of the Antichrist.

Do not assume that the Antichrist is merely against Christ. In reality, the Antichrist resembles Christ but is a false imitation. The most effective means of undermining Jesus Christ is to confuse and deceive; the ultimate tactic is to create a counterfeit. Thus, the spirit of the Antichrist and false prophets is exceedingly potent, ensnaring the unwary. Similar experiences abound; I shall refrain from listing them all. Traditional churches maintain that any spirit that confesses Christ as coming in the flesh is from God. However, this statement should not be taken so literally, given that Old John's spiritual gifts had reached their zenith at this point; he also authored Revelation. This accounts for the difficulty in interpreting this chapter.

Every Spirit That Confesses Jesus Christ Came in the Flesh Is From God

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (1 John 4:2-3)

In our journey of casting out demons these past years, we have gained much experience. Even if one professes that Jesus came in the flesh, it proves nothing, because he is ignorant of the spirit realm. In our exorcisms, we have observed a peculiar phenomenon: when instructed to say, In the name of Jesus Christ, the demon is incapable of uttering those words, irrespective of exertion. For those unfamiliar with exorcism, consider this a narrative. As you minister prayer, the demons will manifest, being unable to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, nor confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, nor that Jesus Christ is incarnate.

There are numerous interpretations of the phrase Jesus Christ incarnate. I cannot confirm their accuracy. Here, I offer my understanding: the essence of incarnation is that Jesus Christ is assuredly in the flesh, like you and I. The incarnate Jesus Christ also partook in our weaknesses, and yet He overcame. In essence, the incarnate Jesus Christ is the Way, signifying our triumph as beings living in the flesh. In the spiritual realm, the evil spirit refuses to accept this; the mere mention of it causes it to writhe. Should the spirit manifest during exorcism, one will discover that they feign being spirits of God for deception.

This explains the phenomenon whereby after spiritual gift restoration, spiritual gifts begin to emerge. Subsequently, confusion proliferates, with many self-proclaimed prophets appearing. These prophets' spirits cannot confess that Christ came in the flesh when they operate and manifest. They may utter Jesus Christ, but they do not acknowledge His incarnation, for to do so would be their undoing.

Please understand that the Jesus Christ we believe in came in the flesh, paving the way for our victory, that we may overcome through Him. This is intimately connected to triumph. Do not presume that by bearing the name Victor one is victorious, or that by being named Joyful one is necessarily joyful. Someone named Doggy, might lead a very happy life. We must intrinsically understand the workings of the spirit realm and enter it to discern what is from God and what is from the Antichrist. It is perilous to be deceived by the spirit of the Antichrist.

In recent years, the most intriguing phenomenon has been the heavy price paid by pastors who do not cast out demons. By refraining from exorcism, they are ignorant of the workings of the spirit realm, do not engage in spiritual warfare, and do not deliver the brothers and sisters from spiritual oppression. They see no need to break curses or confront the lusts of the flesh, but instead, they espouse a philosophy, a theory, which sounds agreeable. After listening, they return home, their lives unaltered. They outsource their children's education to schools and their brethren's illnesses to hospitals, thereby failing to address the root causes of their problems. Much is intimately linked to the spirit realm; a mere exposition is insufficient.

However, if one gains entry into the spirit realm, one will discover its complexity surpasses that of our earthly existence. Old John, witnessing the rampant chaos in the church, the proliferation of false prophets and antichrists, penned the Book of 1 John. The previous chapter urges mutual love, but how can those possessed by evil spirits love one another? It is enough if they do not hate or compete against one another. Even if one confesses verbally that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, it avails nothing if the spirit realm does not acknowledge it. Lip service is insufficient; thereby one is deceived.

I have witnessed numerous churches rife with strife, veritable battlegrounds, due to the presence of evil spirits within. From Cain to the present age, because the church has not overcome, it is subject to the assaults of these evil spirits. Some remain unaware of the demonic influences even until death, a tragic fate. Thus, for the church to triumph and belong to God, it must rise and engage in spiritual warfare.

Those Who Are of God and Overcome

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

There are those who are of God yet do not overcome, and those who are of God and do overcome. For those who are of God and overcome, He who dwells within them is greater than he who is in the world. Should those who are of God follow false prophets or the Antichrist, though initially belonging to God, they are deceived, lacking victory. Thus, He who dwells within them is not greater than he who is in the world, for what dwells within them is of the world. What dwells within man is often malevolent, perhaps imperceptible, but one is aware of an evil inclination within. Possessing such an inclination is to lack victory. It is not from God, but from the world, from the Antichrist, from the Devil.

Understand that this outcome is specific to those who are of God and who overcome. To advance movement in the spirit realm, one must triumph over false prophets and the Antichrist. How is this accomplished? Through love, for God is love. False prophets and the Antichrist are devoid of God's love, that is the crux of the matter. Love is the most excellent Way. Those who are of God and who overcome, He who dwells within them is greater than he who is in the world, for they have invited God within. This statement is currently abused to an absurd degree; despite being indwelt by demons, some claim that He who dwells within them is greater than he who is in the world. I say, Enough! How can one who does not overcome be greater than he who is in the world? In defeat, when demons reside within, the inner can never surpass the outer.

Of the World, Speak of the World

If you claim to be victorious, then the world has no hold over you. If the world still has a modicum of influence within you, then I surmise that one's inner state is akin to the world. Consider what occupies people's daily discourse. If one's mind is filled with worldly concerns, triumph is unattainable, for that is how false prophets and the Antichrist operate. Namely, they have only a facade of religion, bereft of love from God. They attend gatherings, resulting in God's weariness. Those who are of the world discuss worldly matters. Let us reflect on how much we have yet to reclaim and dedicate to God.

Often, the inner man is a melange of worldly elements; these are the unconquered territories. Follow me closely: there are unconquered territories within man, areas occupied by the spirits of the Antichrist and false prophets. These evil spirits operate in man, releasing falsehoods that provide only illusory comfort, a lack of victory. What is to be done when one lacks victory? We must choose victory, for we belong to God, and we must overcome the spirit of the Antichrist and false prophets, forsaking a mere religious facade, reclaiming what is worldly within us from the dominion of darkness and offering it to God.

Search your hearts; how much unconquered territory remains within us? In what areas you have yet to conquer, you are easily deceived. Deception thrives due to countless individuals loving the world and discussing worldly matters, namely, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Coupled with a lack of discernment, those who are of the world discuss worldly matters, subjecting themselves to tyranny by the spirit of the world, inevitably encountering calamity. At times, they boast of their prowess, believing that worldly pursuits and fleshly desires lead to accomplishment, yet this is deception.

Love is the Most Excellent Way

Love is the most excellent way; this is what truly matters. When people pursue spiritual gifts but lack love, it is all for naught. Chasing after speaking in tongues with voices that shake heaven and earth, attracting the police and property management due to excessive noise that disturbs the peace, yet without love, no problem is solved. The core of Chinese Mingding Destiny is God's love, which has immense tolerance. As long as you do not push me away, I will cling to you, determined to serve you into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The question is whether you are willing to persevere to the end; I do not care even if I am offended. Over the years, it is fortunate that I am impervious to attacks, or I would have been riddled with holes.

Why is love the most excellent way? The reason is simple: I have little interest in the things of this world, having been largely struck down and dismantled by God; I have no hope in this world. However, deep down, I have a glorious hope, which is to come before Jesus Christ and receive His crown of glory. As long as there is still a part of me that belongs to myself, I will choose to overcome in the future and snatch back this part to offer to God; this is my heartfelt desire, not mere grandstanding.

I know that one day, the affairs of this world will come to an end; no matter how much property and wealth you possess, it will all vanish. Once a person kicks their legs and closes their eyes, it is all over. But for you, that may be the end; for me, it is not. I am coming before God, and I really do not want to hear God say, I do not know you. If a person believes in the Lord for a lifetime but does not know God, and God does not know him, that is truly tragic.

How much of what is in your hearts still belongs to the world? I will give you a measuring standard: the more selfish you are, the more you care about yourself, the more uncomfortable you will be. People feel uncomfortable because they care too much about themselves, feeling bad when someone rebukes them, glares at them, or looks down on them. Or, they feel elated when someone thinks highly of them; all of this is worldly. Such people will surely be tormented by demons. Love is the most excellent way; no matter how many spiritual gifts you have, the key is whether you have love from God. So, do not engage in things like discerning tongues, seeing visions, speaking prophecies, or looking for spiritual gifts; if you do all that without love, it is all in vain. The Antichrist will surely come. The spirits of the Antichrist and false prophets enter people because they lack love from God. Chinese Mingding Destiny speaks of genuine, serious matters; this is the best weapon for discerning spirits.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:4-8)

If you are often emotionally unstable, what you lack is love from God. Because what you are filled with is still worldly, and when these things ferment within you for a long time, the discomfort initially manifests as a deficiency, which later turns into a tangible ailment. Tangible ailments include arthritis, pain, or even cancer or tumors. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love; this statement is profound. Perhaps you share my feeling of being confused when reading 1 John chapter 4; now I will try to explain it to you in a way that is less confusing.

I want to tell you what love is, what love from God is. Love from God is a giving mindset; do as Jesus Christ did. I am not saying that you have not given at all; perhaps you have given some, and some areas belong to God. But there are still some areas that belong to the world. The more areas within a person that belong to the world, the more they are deceived and manipulated by demons.

Why do people love God? Because loving the world is too painful, and then they wonder, why do I love the world? Perhaps what your eyes see and what you earn are real gold and silver, but these things have no meaning. Love is giving; this is God's love. Some people are not like this; they feel that they love you, but you must listen to them. If you do not listen to them, they will cry, make a scene, and threaten suicide, causing turmoil throughout their lives. Therefore, the most excellent way in our Chinese Mingding Destiny is God's love, giving. A person who gives will surely have very stable emotions. If the theme of the fortune slip you draw in the new year is Love is the most excellent way, it means that you have not given enough. If you draw a slip with the theme Re-establish a covenant with God, then make a covenant with God: God, we want to be like You—not to gain, but to give.

God is Love

Do not be mistaken: the spirits of this world can give you money, fame, or profit, but they will also take your life. How many people have lost their lives for worldly fame and gain?

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

If you pay attention to the news of this world, some people are admitted to Peking University or Tsinghua University, only to be poisoned to death. What is the meaning of that? Talent alone cannot guarantee a good life; even if you are full of abilities, things worth boasting about, it does not necessarily mean you will live well. Our God is love, but they are of the world, speaking of worldly things; they only want themselves to live gloriously and admirably, wanting only to gain for themselves. If you see too many stories of this world, you will come to the same conclusion. God is love, God is a giving God, it is that simple. God does not want to gain anything from you; He only wants you to gain Him. How wonderful it is that we have such a God! If we also do not want to gain anything, only wanting others to gain, what flows from you is the love of God.

Love Perfected Among Us

We must learn to be constantly perfected in love. You have surely read the phrase love perfected among us, but perhaps you were confused when you read it. Love perfected among us means that we must become more and more like Jesus; do you understand now? My explanations are very straightforward. Initially, we are a little like Jesus, but there is still much that is worldly. Then, we are motivated by God's love, gradually gaining untaken territories, becoming a little more perfect than before. Later, we become even more perfect, and love is gradually perfected among us. This translation is not good; perhaps the original writing was more literary. In my words, it means becoming more and more like Jesus.

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:17-18)

Love is perfected among us; God is love, and God perfectly gains us within us. Then we can have confidence on the day of judgment. If everything within you belongs to God, what is there to fear? The more we offer ourselves to God, the more we are like Jesus Christ in this world. When Jesus Christ lived in this world, was He not filled with love from heaven? Because God is love.

Ten lepers came to Jesus, and Jesus certainly knew that nine of them would leave Him after being healed, yet Jesus healed them all, giving them God's love. But whether they were willing to choose to follow Jesus was another matter. We are truly grateful to have such a God who loves us, not treating us according to our transgressions, but forgiving our transgressions so that we may become more and more like Him.

Perhaps you have a grateful heart, or perhaps you have begun to love Jesus Christ because of God's love, becoming mad with His love, increasingly offering yourself to Him. Then love will be perfected within you, and you will become more and more like Him. Do you know why some people become more and more like demons, while others become more and more like God? Because people believe that worldly things are more valuable than God. Some people do business, and as they do so, their minds become filled with their business; that business will surely encounter problems.

When the problems accumulate and are not resolved, they will desperately try to solve them. With their minds filled with those things, where will they find time to love God? If they are unwilling to give time to God, how can they give their lives to God? In fact, it is easy for people to get lost in this world. For example, it is easy to get lost in a job, thinking that the job is very important. If the boss gives you a bad look, it will make you lose your composure and worry endlessly.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12)

Now you understand: it is in that small part of us that loves Him that is perfected. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:13-18)

What is John talking about in this passage? In my words, it means that if there are still areas of fear within us, it is because those areas have not yet been taken back and offered to God, and there are still many areas within us that are fearful. If you trust in God, the Son of God who rose from the dead, crucified for our sins, and died, was buried, and rose from the dead, then there is nothing we cannot solve.

You say that you really need a job; this matter can surely be resolved in Jesus Christ, so what are you afraid of? Fear is unbelief, and unbelief leads to fear; if you believe, you will not fear. If you believe in God, take back the worldly areas of yourself and offer them to God again, constantly being a giving person, dealing with the selfishness, self-interest, and laziness within you, then you will have nothing to fear.

Our brothers and sisters must begin to gradually adjust, so that we become completely like Jesus. As He is in this world, so also are we. He later rose from the dead, and we will also rise from the dead in the future. He was able to overcome death, and we are also able to overcome death. He was able to overcome temptation, and we are also able to overcome temptation. He was not starved to death in this world, and we will not starve to death in this world either.

If you do not know what to do when you run out of money, it is very simple according to what I said. If you cannot afford three meals a day, eat one meal; if you cannot afford one meal a day, eat one meal every two days, it is that simple! We only know about the worries of this world, but we do not know how rich and glorious the grace in Jesus Christ is. If Jesus Christ was not starving and emaciated in this world, do we still need to worry about this matter? In fact, there is only one thing we need to worry about, and that is not being like Jesus.

We will share this chapter up to this point; it seems that we have explained it clearly, but it also seems that we have not explained it clearly. But I can only say that my current level is only this far; what John wrote is really too difficult to read. Thank God, I am filled with hope, because 1 John will soon be finished. Then there are 2 John and 3 John, so let us persevere for a while longer.

Before ending this chapter, we must all tell ourselves: God, I want to gradually become a perfect person in You, I want to be perfected in Your love. The good news is that once we are perfect, the worries of this world will all be gone, and things will become simple. Do not think that you are perfect and then point at others and say, Why are you still so rotten, still so unloving to God, still not perfect? This is not the work of loving God. May God bless everyone!