The Holy Apostle Archippus.
1 John 3:21-4:6; Mark 14:43-15:1.
Read 1 John 3:21-4:6
we are commanded to “not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This warning is especially relevant today, as we live in a world filled with conflicting messages, ideologies, and spiritual influences. The Apostle John provides the key test: “every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God” (1 John 4:2). This means that any teaching, philosophy, or movement that denies Christ’s incarnation and His divine mission is not from God.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem affirms this when he states, “Believe not every spirit, for the devil, too, transforms himself into an angel of light. Many have been deceived and led astray by the appearance of false visions.” (Catechetical Lectures, Lecture VI). This reminds us that not all that seems good is truly of God. We must discern carefully, ensuring that what we accept aligns with Christ and His Church.
St. John warns against adopting the spirit of the world: “They are of the world; therefore what they say is of the world, and the world listens to them” (1 John 4:5). St. Augustine echoes this concern, saying, “Do not love the world: but understand what you love, lest when the world perishes, you perish with it.” (Homilies on 1 John, Tractate II). We are called to live in the world but not let it corrupt our hearts. Instead, we must remain rooted in the Spirit of Truth, which leads us to Christ.