Spirit is mentioned 8 times here. Its linked to the previous verse in 3:24-4:1,v.2,v.3, v.3b,v.6b.

Spirit- 388x in NT-Numa- in english it means Numatic, means breath, to blow, speaks of error.

6 things I learn about the Word Spirit:
1. It refers to the Holy Spirit-3:24b
2) God has a Spirit-Genesis 6:3 "My Spirit shall not always strive with man."
3) God is Spirit-John 4:24 "God [is] Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
4) Angels are called Spirits-
a) Psalm 104:4 "Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire."
b) Hebrews 1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?"
5) There are unclean Spirits-bad angels,
a) Mark 5:8 Legion was called a unclean spirit.
b) Acts 19:15 Called evil spirits
c) Rev 16:14 called demonic spirits
6) We have a Spirit-you and I have a spirit
a) Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God"
(1 Thess 5:23)

There are 2 commands in v.1.
1) Don't believe every spirit-v.1 Proverbs 14:15 "The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps."
2) Test every Spirit-v.1
Test-23x in NT- carries the idea to discern, to examine, to scrutinize.

2 things we are going to look at about testing every spirit.
• (Notice who should be testing the spirit)?
V.1 "Beloved" speaking to believers in general.

Hebrews 6:11-12 "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."