“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”
(1 John 4:4-6) NIV
I always like to share the passages that I read. The Bible is just such a powerful gift. It’s our sword for a reason.
In 1 John 4, we are asked to be vigilant by testing those who claim to be of God. We are told God is love, and those who do not love are not from God. God sacrificed His Son, and those who do not believe in the sacrificial gift are also not from God.
How many people go out into the world proclaiming they love and they believe, but their actions and words really don’t reflect this truth? I can think of those who try to lead flocks of people when instead of being a shepherd, they really are the wolf.
God gave us His Spirit and with it comes our ability to perform a truth test. Our first commandment is to love God with everything we are, and the second commandment is to love each other as we love Him. We are sheep asked to follow His voice and not the voice of the world. Those who hate what we love-hate us. They never knew the atoning love of God and will make every effort to lead us astray.
You are given the Spirit of God. Listen and apply the truth test to those you follow and believe. False prophets are here, and you are given the ability to see through their facade.
Just such a great reminder, to say it so clearly! Blessings –
Thank you so very much! Your kind words are of great encouragement. Have a blessed New Year!