Lesson for August 21, 2024

The Book of I John

I John 4:1-6

Verse 1

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

The Greek word for test is “dokimazo,” and means to prove or to examine. The Greek word for spirit is “pneuma,” and is referring to the inner person. The false prophets are those who reject or distort the truth of the Word of God. They represent themselves as true in order to gain entrance into a ministry. II Peter 2 says they come in covertly, like a spy would infiltrate an organization. These false teachers have deliberate motives, which include things such as monetary greed, sensual pleasures, luxurious lifestyles, power, and fame. They often use fabricated words of flattery with promises of prosperity in order to extort money and material possessions.

Verse 2

^“By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.”

By confessing that you believe Christ came in the flesh is to confess that He is God and to accept all that He accomplished on behalf of the human race. One of the first tests of apostasy, heresy, or the spirit of antichrist is the clarity of the Gospel message. Those who distort the Gospel can be, even without knowing it, apostate, heretical, and antichrist. The Bible tells us to test the spirits of men, and the best test is to examine what they say about salvation and eternal life. (Galatians 1:6-9)

Another test of apostasy, heresy, or the spirit of antichrist is the doctrinal accuracy of the message. This is where it takes a greater amount of doctrine in the soul to discern the false from the true. Only through spiritual growth can a believer avoid being deceived by these false teachers. 

There are some obvious signs that someone is presenting false doctrines. For example, the motive of false teachers is often obvious when they are seeking fortune, fame, and power. There are some ministers, however, that appear to be sincere and appear to have correct motives but have allowed themselves to be deceived. Both are still teaching false doctrine, and both are “enemies of the Cross of Christ.” (II Timothy 2:25-26; II Timothy 3:1-7)

Verse 3

“And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world.”

Antichrist is defined as a person who assumes the identity of Christ or opposes Christ. The spirit of antichrist is defined as anyone whose teaching lines up in opposition to the teachings of Christ. The Antichrist that is spoken of often in the New Testament is a person who will be revealed during the dispensation of the Tribulation. This person will be indwelt by Satan and will be the one who deceives the entire world (except for a small group of believers) into believing that he is Christ, though in reality he opposes Christ. (II Thessalonians 2:1-12)

It was John’s purpose to warn believers and help them recognize those who had the spirit of antichrist. Previously, John had reminded believers that they have been “anointed” with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (I John 2:20-23) It is only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that a believer can detect heresy within the church. John went on to say that it is through the knowledge of God’s Word that believers are able to distinguish between true and false doctrine. (I John 2:24)

Verse 4

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

God has given us a power system so that we can execute His plan, while living in Satan’s world system, which affords us all the necessary tools for a successful life as Christians. 

Jesus Christ tested and proved the Christian life for us and now sits at the right hand of God the Father as a testimony to believers. As believers, we have been given the same power system that was given to Christ, which enabled Him to live a sinless life. Though we cannot live a sinless life, we can live a life pleasing to God by residing in God’s power system, the Divine Dynasphere.

Only by residing in God’s system can we overcome the craftiness and deceitfulness of the devil. Satan is the great counterfeiter and will do everything in his power to stop unbelievers from trusting Christ as Savior and to stop believers from fulfilling God’s plan for their lives. Satan uses his power and genius to present his followers as “ministers of righteousness,” while leading the unsuspecting and duped believer into believing false doctrine. However, no one has an excuse when it comes to Satan’s ploys. All believers possess the potential power of the Holy Spirit and Bible doctrine to combat Satan and his tactics. (Colossians 1:13)

Verse 5

^“They are from the world; therefore, they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.” 

The false teachers are those who reject truth and believe the fabricated lies of Satan, his ministers, and his world system. They are enemies of the Cross of Christ and partakers in satanic activity. They use enticing words of flattery, which promise wealth and physical healing from a “fairy godmother” type of “god.”

Verse 6

^“We are from God. The one who knows God listens to us; the one who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

As believers, we have the opportunity to succeed in the Christian Way of Life by listening to and obeying the accurate teaching of the Word of God. However, success depends on our positive volition towards Bible doctrine.

Recognizing accurate doctrine, when we hear it, takes a lot of accurate doctrine stored in our souls. Learning accurate Bible doctrine from a man with the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher is the only way to come to know the difference between “the spirit of truth” (God’s truth) and “the spirit of error” (Satan’s lies).

Learning, believing, and applying Bible doctrine should be our number one priority. This is the only means in this age to grow spiritually, which results in pleasing God, being in His will, and glorifying Jesus Christ.