What is the spirit of Antichrist according to 1 John 4?
Scripture identifies the spirit of Antichrist as every spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; such a spirit is not of God and is already in the world. It belongs to satanic powers and stands opposed to the Holy Spirit.
Les explains that 1 John 4 is written to believers, not to the unsaved world. Believers are told not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Verse 3 says every spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is that spirit of Antichrist, already present in the world. Les says there are two spirits: the Holy Spirit or the evil spirit. Satan has his demons, and this originates in satanic powers. The world is up against everything Satan can throw at it. Les reminds people that Satan does not only promote skid row behavior; he will promote beautiful, cultural, and enlightening things as long as he can keep people from the truth.
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.