Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 John 4:2

"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:" — 1 John 4:2 (ASV)

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.

Some say that Jesus Christ was not God, others say that he was not man, while some talk as if everything about him was a mystery; but those who are truly sent by God declare plainly that Jesus Christ did literally come in the flesh, and such teachers are "of God."

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

If the doctrine of the incarnation of God in Christ is denied, as it was by the first heretics, we may conclude that the Spirit of God is not in such teaching.

Any doctrine which dishonours Christ, whether in his person, or his offices, or his atonement, or in any other way, you may at once conclude is not of God, for that which comes from the Spirit of God glorifies Christ.

Did not our Lord himself say, concerning the Holy Spirit, He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you?

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

When the Godhead and the manhood of Christ are truly and properly confessed, to that extent, at least, the confession is of God.