1 John 4:1-6

1 John 4:1-6 … 1 John is filled with beautiful assurances and guidance for the believer to have confidence in a world that can be hostile and ungodly. Unfortunately, there are ungodly influences. Even more tragic, some of those ungodly influences can penetrate into the church. We are to be cautious (4:1) and test the spirits to confirm that the things we allow to influence us are from the Spirit of God. The test consists in determining the attitude (of speakers, programs, and activities) toward the Person of Jesus Christ (v.2). He should always be central in everything. 1 John 4:4, which someone has developed into a children’s chorus says it best: “One John four-four, One John four-four … Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” Little children, probably too young to understand its great meaning, sing that chorus; it ought to be moved to the congregation and sung regularly for emphasis so that we remain aware and alert to the indwelling presence of Christ!

Our passage ends with an important point: There is a worldly viewpoint everywhere around us (v.5); it can’t be missed. In contrast, there is a biblical, godly viewpoint. Believers will be drawn to God’s Word aiding in the distinction, which the text aptly calls the Spirit of Truth versus the spirit of falsehood. The division is sharp and we must never allow an attempt to blend them.