Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
We love him, because he first loved us.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
I John 4 is a pivotal chapter in John's first letter, offering profound insights into the nature of God, the importance of discernment, and the practical implications of Christian love. It emphasizes how God's love eradicates fear and empowers believers to live confidently in their relationship with Him and with one another. This chapter serves as a touchstone for understanding genuine faith and its outworking in the lives of those who claim to know God. Let's delve into its rich teachings.
Testing the Spirits (I John 4:1-6)
John begins with a crucial warning: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). In a world saturated with diverse voices and spiritual claims, Christians are called to exercise discernment. We are not to blindly accept every teaching, even those presented under the guise of Christianity. Instead, we must "test the spirits" to determine their origin. This call to discernment is not optional; it is a necessary safeguard against deception.
How do we test the spirits? John provides a clear criterion: "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God" (I John 4:2-3). The core test centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Any teaching that diminishes or distorts the reality of Jesus' incarnation – that He is fully God and fully man – is deemed false. This was particularly relevant in John's day, as certain heresies denied the true nature of Christ, suggesting a separation between Jesus (the man) and Christ (a supernatural being).
John reassures his readers, "You are from God and have overcome them, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (I John 4:4). Believers possess the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to overcome the influence of "the world," which refers to godless humanity and its ungodly attitudes. The power of the Holy Spirit within us is greater than the power of the evil one and his false prophets in the world. Because of this, we need not fear.
He further explains, "We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error" (I John 4:6). The apostles, as Jesus' chosen representatives and authors of the New Testament under the Holy Spirit's inspiration, serve as a reliable source of truth. Those who are genuinely from God will heed their teachings, while those who reject them demonstrate their disconnection from God. By adhering to the objective truth of Scripture, we can distinguish between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
God is Love (I John 4:7-12)
The chapter transitions to the profound declaration that "God is love" (I John 4:8, 16). This is not merely a description of God's character but a revelation of His very essence. John emphasizes that love originates from God, and therefore, "everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (I John 4:7). Biblical love is not simply an emotion; it is a sign of being born of God and knowing Him intimately.
Conversely, "anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love" (I John 4:8). The absence of love in one's life reveals a lack of genuine fellowship with God. It indicates a disconnect from the very nature of God Himself. Just as a compass is drawn to the north by the earth's magnetic pull, the love of God in our hearts will always point us toward other brothers and sisters in Christ who need our love.
John elaborates on the visibility and tangibility of God's love: "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" (I John 4:9). God's love is not an abstract concept; it is concretely demonstrated in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring life to those who believe. This act of sending was not passive. It was a conscious, active decision on God's part, highlighting that love is an act of the will. It was also a profound sacrifice, costing God His most precious possession.
He continues, "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:10). God's love is not a response to our worthiness; it is a proactive, unconditional love extended to the unlovable. Even when we were enemies of God, rebelling against Him, He set His love upon us. Furthermore, love addresses sin. God sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. While only Jesus can atone for sin, we must, with humility and love, help those caught in it.
John emphasizes that this love is to be reflected in our relationships with one another: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (I John 4:11). Our love for one another is a direct response to God's love for us. And while "no one has ever seen God," our love for one another makes Him visible: "if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us" (I John 4:12). Just as we can see the effects of the wind even though we cannot see the wind itself, people should see the love of God operating through us.
Abiding in Love and Overcoming Fear (I John 4:13-21)
John explains, "By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (I John 4:13). The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is both a testament to our abiding in God and an empowerment to live out His love.
He further connects love with the saving work of Christ: "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world" (I John 4:14). The Son of God is indeed the Savior of the world. If you have trusted in Him, He has delivered you from sin, Satan, and death. But He wants to use you to communicate that saving love to others.
John reiterates the importance of confessing Jesus: "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God" (I John 4:15). Confessing Jesus as the Son of God is not merely a verbal affirmation; it is an acknowledgment of His Lordship and a commitment to live in accordance with His teachings.
He returns to the foundational truth: "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him" (I John 4:16). To "remain" is to "hang out" with love – seeking out opportunities to express God’s definition of love – and God will hang out with you. Living in the atmosphere of love means you are living in the atmosphere of God.
John connects love with confidence in the day of judgment: "By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world" (I John 4:17). Mature, perfect love drives out fear. Our capacity for love is only possible because He first loved us (I John 4:19).
He explains, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (I John 4:18). Godly love and worldly dread are incompatible. God's perfect love drives out fear about being accepted or rejected by Him. Believers who follow God's example of love have no reason to fear that God will not accept them. His perfect love removes the need for this fear. God is love, shows perfect love, and places love in the hearts of those who believe.
John concludes with a stark warning: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: that the one who loves God must also love his brother" (I John 4:20-21). Our love for God is inextricably linked to our love for our fellow believers. You cannot claim to love the invisible God if you refuse to actively love the Christian brother or sister standing in front of you. Don’t fool yourself. God has intertwined loving Him and loving His children. You can’t disconnect them.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
We love him, because he first loved us.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
I John 4 is a pivotal chapter in John's first letter, offering profound insights into the nature of God, the importance of discernment, and the practical implications of Christian love. It emphasizes how God's love eradicates fear and empowers believers to live confidently in their relationship with Him and with one another. This chapter serves as a touchstone for understanding genuine faith and its outworking in the lives of those who claim to know God. Let's delve into its rich teachings.
Testing the Spirits (I John 4:1-6)
John begins with a crucial warning: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). In a world saturated with diverse voices and spiritual claims, Christians are called to exercise discernment. We are not to blindly accept every teaching, even those presented under the guise of Christianity. Instead, we must "test the spirits" to determine their origin. This call to discernment is not optional; it is a necessary safeguard against deception.
How do we test the spirits? John provides a clear criterion: "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God" (I John 4:2-3). The core test centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Any teaching that diminishes or distorts the reality of Jesus' incarnation – that He is fully God and fully man – is deemed false. This was particularly relevant in John's day, as certain heresies denied the true nature of Christ, suggesting a separation between Jesus (the man) and Christ (a supernatural being).
John reassures his readers, "You are from God and have overcome them, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (I John 4:4). Believers possess the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to overcome the influence of "the world," which refers to godless humanity and its ungodly attitudes. The power of the Holy Spirit within us is greater than the power of the evil one and his false prophets in the world. Because of this, we need not fear.
He further explains, "We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error" (I John 4:6). The apostles, as Jesus' chosen representatives and authors of the New Testament under the Holy Spirit's inspiration, serve as a reliable source of truth. Those who are genuinely from God will heed their teachings, while those who reject them demonstrate their disconnection from God. By adhering to the objective truth of Scripture, we can distinguish between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
God is Love (I John 4:7-12)
The chapter transitions to the profound declaration that "God is love" (I John 4:8, 16). This is not merely a description of God's character but a revelation of His very essence. John emphasizes that love originates from God, and therefore, "everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (I John 4:7). Biblical love is not simply an emotion; it is a sign of being born of God and knowing Him intimately.
Conversely, "anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love" (I John 4:8). The absence of love in one's life reveals a lack of genuine fellowship with God. It indicates a disconnect from the very nature of God Himself. Just as a compass is drawn to the north by the earth's magnetic pull, the love of God in our hearts will always point us toward other brothers and sisters in Christ who need our love.
John elaborates on the visibility and tangibility of God's love: "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" (I John 4:9). God's love is not an abstract concept; it is concretely demonstrated in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring life to those who believe. This act of sending was not passive. It was a conscious, active decision on God's part, highlighting that love is an act of the will. It was also a profound sacrifice, costing God His most precious possession.
He continues, "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:10). God's love is not a response to our worthiness; it is a proactive, unconditional love extended to the unlovable. Even when we were enemies of God, rebelling against Him, He set His love upon us. Furthermore, love addresses sin. God sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. While only Jesus can atone for sin, we must, with humility and love, help those caught in it.
John emphasizes that this love is to be reflected in our relationships with one another: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (I John 4:11). Our love for one another is a direct response to God's love for us. And while "no one has ever seen God," our love for one another makes Him visible: "if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us" (I John 4:12). Just as we can see the effects of the wind even though we cannot see the wind itself, people should see the love of God operating through us.
Abiding in Love and Overcoming Fear (I John 4:13-21)
John explains, "By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (I John 4:13). The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is both a testament to our abiding in God and an empowerment to live out His love.
He further connects love with the saving work of Christ: "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world" (I John 4:14). The Son of God is indeed the Savior of the world. If you have trusted in Him, He has delivered you from sin, Satan, and death. But He wants to use you to communicate that saving love to others.
John reiterates the importance of confessing Jesus: "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God" (I John 4:15). Confessing Jesus as the Son of God is not merely a verbal affirmation; it is an acknowledgment of His Lordship and a commitment to live in accordance with His teachings.
He returns to the foundational truth: "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him" (I John 4:16). To "remain" is to "hang out" with love – seeking out opportunities to express God’s definition of love – and God will hang out with you. Living in the atmosphere of love means you are living in the atmosphere of God.
John connects love with confidence in the day of judgment: "By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world" (I John 4:17). Mature, perfect love drives out fear. Our capacity for love is only possible because He first loved us (I John 4:19).
He explains, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (I John 4:18). Godly love and worldly dread are incompatible. God's perfect love drives out fear about being accepted or rejected by Him. Believers who follow God's example of love have no reason to fear that God will not accept them. His perfect love removes the need for this fear. God is love, shows perfect love, and places love in the hearts of those who believe.
John concludes with a stark warning: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: that the one who loves God must also love his brother" (I John 4:20-21). Our love for God is inextricably linked to our love for our fellow believers. You cannot claim to love the invisible God if you refuse to actively love the Christian brother or sister standing in front of you. Don’t fool yourself. God has intertwined loving Him and loving His children. You can’t disconnect them.