Note 1 at Mk. 1:24: The term, "Holy One" is used 52 times in the Bible. Forty six of those times are from the Old Testament, and all but two of these references are clearly referring to Jehovah God (Examples: Isa. 30:15; 43:3,14-15; 54:5; Ezek. 39:7). David applied the term "Holy One" to the Messiah (Ps. 16:10) as we can see by Peter's explanation of David's statement on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-32). So Jesus being referred to as "the Holy One" is another clear reference to His divinity.

With this in mind, it might appear that this unclean spirit met the requirement of 1 John 4:1-3 of confessing that Jesus Christ (see note 2 at Mt. 16:16, p. 202) was come in the flesh, and thus was of God. However, the scriptures make it clear that this was an unclean or evil spirit.

The Greek word translated "confesseth" in 1 John 4:2 is "homologeo" and is the same word that is used in Romans 10:9- 10 to confess salvation. By comparing scriptures, God's Word makes it clear that it takes more than just speaking the words "Jesus is my Lord" to produce the new birth. Jesus said, "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

James said, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (Jas. 2:19-20)

Consequently, just because a spirit confesses that Jesus is the Christ or the "Holy One of God" does not mean that spirit is of God because he spoke the words. You have to try the spirits by beholding the lifestyles of those individuals. It is a grave mistake to accept a spirit as being of God, simply because he repeats some words, when his actions are constantly in opposition to God (1 Jn. 3:7,10).