We have a church in disarray.  Denominationalism abounds and the nondenominational church is carnal.  How are we to discern truth from error?  For St. John we must try the spirits because there are many false prophets which deny that Jesus has come in the flesh and unless we try the spirits we can fall into heresy.  Now trying the spirits takes courage.  So St. John tells us in effect not to fear because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.  So we must be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. We must test the spirits and the way we know truth from error is whether the prophet lines up with the word of God.  “He that knoweth God heareth us.”  Now for St. John asking whether Jesus has come in the flesh is how we try the spirits and unless a person loves his brother as Christ loved the church, he is not living the gospel. 

            The nominal church today might not deny that Jesus has come in the flesh but for St. Paul “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2Tm3:5)  St. Paul would be appalled at the lack of true faith in the denominational church: that people are neither born again or spirit filled.  While the denominational church has no power, the nondenominational church equates truth with prosperity.   St. Paul also states “Perverse disputings of men with corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1Tm6:5) but “flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, Fight the good fight of faith.(1Tm6;11-12)