Week 4 – 1 JOHN 4 – THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE LOVE OF GOD

1 JOHN 4

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE LOVE OF GOD

The Central Message

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error. Knowing God through Love.

Key Scriptures

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

God is love, whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

Structure of the epistle

John 4:1-6 – Warning Against False Teachers

John 4:7-21– God Is Love: Little Children Will Love Each Other

Highlights of the chapter

• Discernment of error and Fellowship (4:1-6)
• Love and manifestation of fellowship (4:7-21)

Introduction

John has noted that the Spirit of God, who dwells within true followers of Christ, testifies to the fact we are the beloved children of God. Yet the Holy Spirit also helps us to discern those who are not walking in God’s light… those who are attempting to lead us astray with smooth-sounding (but false) words. John challenges us to test everything we hear against the truth we find in God’s Word and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit for direction. As we do this, we will begin to discern the enemy’s deceptions and not allow them to take root in our lives.

Also, John notes, “God is Love”. Once we experience that love firsthand, it changes our outlook on life and motivates us to love others. Can you think of any word that is more misused and more misunderstood? We say we “love our spouse” in the same breath we say we “love nachos.”  How would you define love? In 1 John 3:16 and John 3:16, John gives a definition of what love is. us what love is.

Keywords/Phrases

1. Discernment
2. Heresies
3. Confession
4. Manifestation
5. Indwelling presence
6. Agape
7. Philia
8. Eros

  Questions

1. What do you think it means to “test or try the spirits” (verse 1)?

2. What is the spirit of the antichrist?

3. What are the standards given by John for determining the validity of spiritual clams?

4. How can believers in Christ know thy will overcome any spirits that come against them?

5. Why is it so important to be indwelt by the Holy Spirt?

6. John writes that “whoever knows God listens to us” (verse 6). How does knowing what the Bible says help you to discern what is and what isn’t from God?

7. What are some of the “signals and messages” that Jesus sends to our world?

8. What are some practical ways you can know if you are growing in God’s love?

9. Some Christians confess, “I know in my head that God loves me, but I don’t always sense it in my heart.” What counsel would you give such a person?

10. Which do you think has the greatest influence in our culture, in terms of shaping public opinion: The politicians, the entertainment industry, or the church? Why?