One of the most common questions Christians ask is, How do I know if I’m hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit? In 1 John 4, the apostle John gives practical gauges for recognizing the Spirit’s voice and avoiding deception.

The stakes are high. When the Spirit of God is at work in you, life blossoms. You are aligned with God’s plans, love grows in you, and your investment in people becomes a blessing. But there is competition from other voices—some obvious, others subtle—that try to lead us away from God’s truth.

Testing the Spirits

John writes, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). Not every spiritual influence is good. Competing spirits often:

• Center on self rather than God (self-love, self-growth, self-improvement).
• Promise control, romance, money, or power—but leave you empty.
• Encourage practices like manifesting, astrology, crystals, witchcraft, or other rituals that do not come from God.

The Six Gauges from 1 John

Gauge 1 – We keep His commands
Obedience to God’s Word is a clear sign of knowing Him. Our actions reflect our love for Him and our trust in His ways.

Gauge 2 – We live as Jesus did
Our lives reflect His example in both character and action. Following Jesus is more than belief—it’s imitation.

Gauge 3 – He lives in us (1 John 3:24–4:1)
We know God lives in us by the Spirit He has given us. John warns, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits.” Competing spirits—whether self-centered philosophies, occult practices, or cultural trends—may sound attractive but lead to emptiness.
Ask:

1. Does it produce the fruit of the Spirit?
2. Does it agree with Scripture?
3. Does it lead toward Christlike living or destructive behavior?

Gauge 4 – The Spirit of God acknowledges Jesus (1 John 4:2–3)
Every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. Denying His humanity or His divinity is a mark of false teaching. The Spirit of God always affirms the truth about Jesus as revealed in Scripture.

Gauge 5 – We belong to the Spirit of truth, not the spirit of falsehood (1 John 4:4–6)
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” God’s Spirit gives believers the power to overcome falsehood and reject deception.

Gauge 6 – We live in Him and He in us (1 John 4:13–16)
“This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.” Life in the Spirit means mutual indwelling—God in you and you in God. This produces confidence before Him and drives out fear, especially fear of judgment.

“This is how you know…” John says in 1 John 4:2–3, “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” In John’s time, some denied that Jesus had a real human body because they believed physical matter was “bad.” Today, people more often deny Jesus’ divinity—calling Him a good teacher but rejecting His claim to be God.

The clearest sign of a false spirit is bad teaching about Jesus. If it undermines His identity, mission, or resurrection, it is not from God.

Greater Is He Who Is in You

John reminds believers, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Evil still influences governments, economies, education, and entertainment. But Jesus is stronger than any enemy or temptation you face.

When you see these patterns, it’s time to refocus on God’s presence.

John repeats his core theme: “Let us love one another, for love comes from God” (1 John 4:7). Love is evidence of God’s presence; a lack of love is evidence of His absence. This isn’t just about generic kindness—it’s the selfless, sacrificial love of Jesus that serves, gives, and sacrifices for others.

Loving others requires community. You can’t love your church family from a distance. Know people’s names, hear their stories, and pray for their needs.

Living in God and God in Us

“This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us His Spirit” (1 John 4:13). John pictures it like this: you are in God, and God is in you. Your identity is so immersed in Him that love flows naturally.

Perfect love drives out fear—especially fear of judgment. When you are confident in God’s love, you can live with purpose and die with peace.

“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). If you truly love God, loving others will flow out of your life. If it doesn’t, it’s time to ask God to renew your heart.

God’s Spirit will always point you toward Jesus, align you with Scripture, grow His character in you, and lead you to love others. Check your gauges. Stay close to Him. And let His love define you.

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Message recap adapted from August 10, 2025, message by Minister Mark Ashton