Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, – 1 John 4:1-2

This means that we shouldn’t believe everything that we hear just because they says that the message is inspired by God. One way to test the spirit is to compare what is said to the Word of God. If it contradicts any part of the Bible the it’s from a false prophet. And if they don’t acknowledge that Jesus has come in the flesh then it’s a false prophet.

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. – Hebrews 5:13-14

We all need to grow as Christians. This process never stops. The way that we grow is by reading, learning and applying the word of God to our lives. When we do this we are better able to distinguish good from evil and make good choices that are in line with Gods word.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

What you allow into your mind matters. If you continue to have carnal thoughts and feed your mind with worldly things then your mind can not be renewed by Gods word. It’s only when you renew your mind by reading and meditating on Gods word than you will be able to have a sharp level of discernment. The reason for this is because the word of God will be planted in your heart and mind and you will understand quickly when you see or hear anything that does not line up with Gods word.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

Non Christians cannot understand God, and they cannot understand spiritual things of God. It’s all foolishness to them. Worldly thinking doesn’t have access to the things of God. It’s like trying to connect to a wifi without the password. But as a believer, you have access to Godly wisdom so that you can apply it to your daily life and not be led astray.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Satan’s temptations and tactics are not always obvious. He will use anyone to try deceive and lie to cause us to sin. The enemy knows how to make his temptations appear good and like it’s the right thing to do. By having a discerning spirit we are able to know when the devil is trying to deceive us and cause us to go down a wrong path.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. – Colossians 2:8

Paul was writing here against any philosophy that is based on mans ideas or experiences. He is condemning teachings that don’t credit Christ. There are a lot of “spiritual” people that say things that sound good but oppose Christianity. The only way to know when you come across these false teachings is by reading the word of God and putting it in your heart. This way when you hear something that doesn’t agree with the word of God, you will feel it in your heart because you know the Word.

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. – 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Godliness is a lifestyle that reflects the character of God. Paul here was writing to Timothy and encouraging him to deal with the false teachers that were causing problems at this time. They were spreading the “teaching of demons” (1 Tim 4:1), conceited and understood nothing. They saw godliness as a way for material gain. The Holy Spirit will allow us to have discernment to see people like these in our lives today.

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. – Proverbs 15:14

What we feed our minds is just as important as what we feed our bodies. The books we read, people we talk to, music we listen to etc. are all a part of our mental diet. Be careful of what you feed your mind because it can determine the overall direction of your life.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. – John 16:13

The truth mentioned here that the Holy Spirit will guide us into is the truth about Christ. The Holy Spirit will also help us to discern right from wrong in order to guide us throughout our lives.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. – John 10:4-5

As Christians we should know what the voice of Jesus sounds like. It was that voice that called us to come out of the darkness into the light. As we continue to fellowship with God and read his word we get to know his voice even more clearly. And for that reason we are able to better discern when he speaks to us so that we are not drawn away by evils enticing voice.