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Test the Spirits
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source];
1Jn 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son's true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].
1Jn 4:5 They [who teach twisted doctrine] are of the world and belong to it; therefore they speak from the [viewpoint of the] world [with its immoral freedom and baseless theories--demanding compliance with their opinions and ridiculing the values of the upright], and the [gullible one of the] world listens closely and pays attention to them.
1Jn 4:6 We [who teach God's word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan].
1 John 4:1-11
THE TOKEN OF GOD’S LOVE
In those days the intense ferment of men’s minds wrought many delusions and heresies which were fraught with temptation to young converts, and the Apostle wished to give tests for determining which voice spake from God. The confession of Jesus Christ as the Incarnate Word, a spirit of love and gentleness, and the willingness to abide in the doctrine of the Apostles, were signs that the speaker was commissioned by Christ.
Wouldst thou overcome the world? Let Christ enter, and the world will have no charms for thee. There is only one source of pure, divine love, and wherever that love is present, you know that the possessor has found its source in God. God’s love is absolutely selfless. He loves the unloving to make them love, putting away their sin and perfecting their union with Himself.
1 John 4:6
We are: 1Jn_4:4; Mic_3:8; Rom_1:1; 1Co_2:12-14; 2Pe_3:2; Jud_1:17
he that knoweth: 1Jn_4:8; Luk_10:22; Joh_8:19, Joh_8:45-50, Joh_10:27, Joh_13:20, Joh_18:37, Joh_20:21; 1Co_14:37; 2Co_10:7; 2Th_1:8
Hereby: 1Jn_4:1; Isa_8:20
the spirit of truth: Joh_14:17, Joh_15:26
and: Isa_29:10; Hos_4:12; Mic_2:11; Rom_11:8; 2Th_2:9-11
Thought Provoking questions:
REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE EPISTLES OF JOHN
Outline of the First Epistle
(a) What is the theme of the first Epistle?
(b) What distinguishing feature of the Epistle appears in the outline?
Introduction
(c) How do these three Epistles compare as to length?
(d) What is their relation to the Gospel of John?
(e) What is the probable date of these Epistles?
I John 1-5
Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.
1. What was the nature of the fellowship which John wished to share with others?
2. What is the best evidence of union with Christ?
3. Why does the Apostle address those of various ages?
4. What is the anointing of the Christian?
5. With what announcement does the third chapter open?
6. How may we know that we have “passed from death unto life”?
7. How does the Christian overcome the world?
8. What is the greatest affirmation of this Epistle?
9. What is the threefold witness to our redemption?
10. What four things is the Christian privileged to know!
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source];
1Jn 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son's true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].
1Jn 4:5 They [who teach twisted doctrine] are of the world and belong to it; therefore they speak from the [viewpoint of the] world [with its immoral freedom and baseless theories--demanding compliance with their opinions and ridiculing the values of the upright], and the [gullible one of the] world listens closely and pays attention to them.
1Jn 4:6 We [who teach God's word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan].
1 John 4:1-11
THE TOKEN OF GOD’S LOVE
In those days the intense ferment of men’s minds wrought many delusions and heresies which were fraught with temptation to young converts, and the Apostle wished to give tests for determining which voice spake from God. The confession of Jesus Christ as the Incarnate Word, a spirit of love and gentleness, and the willingness to abide in the doctrine of the Apostles, were signs that the speaker was commissioned by Christ.
Wouldst thou overcome the world? Let Christ enter, and the world will have no charms for thee. There is only one source of pure, divine love, and wherever that love is present, you know that the possessor has found its source in God. God’s love is absolutely selfless. He loves the unloving to make them love, putting away their sin and perfecting their union with Himself.
1 John 4:6
We are: 1Jn_4:4; Mic_3:8; Rom_1:1; 1Co_2:12-14; 2Pe_3:2; Jud_1:17
he that knoweth: 1Jn_4:8; Luk_10:22; Joh_8:19, Joh_8:45-50, Joh_10:27, Joh_13:20, Joh_18:37, Joh_20:21; 1Co_14:37; 2Co_10:7; 2Th_1:8
Hereby: 1Jn_4:1; Isa_8:20
the spirit of truth: Joh_14:17, Joh_15:26
and: Isa_29:10; Hos_4:12; Mic_2:11; Rom_11:8; 2Th_2:9-11
Thought Provoking questions:
REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE EPISTLES OF JOHN
Outline of the First Epistle
(a) What is the theme of the first Epistle?
(b) What distinguishing feature of the Epistle appears in the outline?
Introduction
(c) How do these three Epistles compare as to length?
(d) What is their relation to the Gospel of John?
(e) What is the probable date of these Epistles?
I John 1-5
Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.
1. What was the nature of the fellowship which John wished to share with others?
2. What is the best evidence of union with Christ?
3. Why does the Apostle address those of various ages?
4. What is the anointing of the Christian?
5. With what announcement does the third chapter open?
6. How may we know that we have “passed from death unto life”?
7. How does the Christian overcome the world?
8. What is the greatest affirmation of this Epistle?
9. What is the threefold witness to our redemption?
10. What four things is the Christian privileged to know!
