1 John 4

Testing the Spirits

1-3 Don’t believe every spirit, because some are false. This is how you identify them: They don’t confess Jesus has come in the flesh.

We live in a world where many want to be spiritual without being “religious,” by which they mean organized religion, particularly Christianity. They follow the teachings of Oprah or some other charismatic leader, or Buddha, or Mohammed, or pagan gods, or a philosophy. In some ways, the Christian world – particularly those with strident political voices who don’t also preach a gospel of love and those who defend abusive behavior – is to blame for the world’s misunderstanding of Christ’s message and character. In other cases, those seeking shallow spirituality know all too well the commitment and accountability that Christianity brings and reject that commitment and submission to authority.

4-6 Remember that the one in you is greater than the one in the world. The reason the world listens to them is because they say worldly things.

Good thing to remember when we begin judging the value of our message by its acceptance.

God Is Love

7-12 When we are born of God, we love one another, because that’s God is: love. He revealed his love by sending his only Son into the world to atone for our sins, giving us life. The world cannot see God, but they can see the love we have for each other.

13-16 God lives in us through his Spirit, causing us to proclaim his Son as Savior, as Son of God, because we know of God’s love. God is love.

17-21 Love is complete in us when we are bold on the day of judgment, having no fear, because perfect – complete love – casts out fear. Hating our brothers and sisters while claiming to love God makes us liars.