Discerning the Spirits in 1 John 4

Read 1 John Chapter 4

Introduction: 1 John 4 is centered on the recognition of God’s love and the all important command to love one another, rooted in the understanding that God is love. This chapter instructs believers on how to discern the spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood and emphasizes that God’s love is perfected in those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Savior. From urging believers to test every spirit to reassuring them of God’s presence within, 1 John 4 provides a comprehensive guide to living a life anchored in love and truth.

I. Discerning the Spirit of Truth and Falsehood (1 John 4:1-6)
This section warns against false prophets and exhorts believers to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. The criterion for testing the spirit is the confession that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, which is from God, whereas any spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.

Cross-references:

• Matthew 7:15-16 (Beware of false prophets; you will recognize them by their fruits.)
• 2 Corinthians 11:14 (Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so it’s not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves.)
• John 1:14 (The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, confirming the truth of Jesus Christ in the flesh.)

II. God is Love and the Manifestation of His Love (1 John 4:7-12)
Believers are called to love one another, as love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. This passage reveals that God’s love was manifested by sending His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. The section concludes that if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Cross-references:

• John 3:16 (For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.)
• Romans 5:8 (God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.)
• Ephesians 2:4-5 (Because of His great love for us, God made us alive with Christ.)

III. Love Perfected in Believers (1 John 4:13-21)
This section explains how love is perfected among us so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment. It highlights that there is no fear in love, and perfect love casts out fear. The chapter concludes by stating that if someone claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister, they are a liar. For anyone who does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

Cross-references:

• Romans 8:15-16 (We have received a spirit of adoption as children by which we cry out “Abba, Father.”)
• 2 Timothy 1:7 (God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.)
• Matthew 22:37-39 (Jesus’ command to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.)

Conclusion: 1 John 4 is a reminder that love is the defining characteristic of a true believer. It admonishes us to be vigilant in discerning truth from falsehood, to understand the full extent of God’s love through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and to strive for the perfection of that love in our relationships with one another. It is a call to live fearlessly and confidently in the love of God, knowing that as we love one another, God’s love is brought to completion in us. This chapter inspires us to embody love in all aspects of our lives, reflecting the very nature of God to the world.