1 John 4:1-6
Today's Passage: 1 John 4:1-6
One of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is discernment that comes from the Holy Spirit. It can be difficult at times to know what the right thing is, and what to trust and not trust. God gives us spiritual eyes to see spiritual things when we trust in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2).
John writes to the Christian with a warning not to trust every feeling or instinct because not everything that looks like it’s from God actually is. Even since the Exodus, darkness has a way of disguising itself as light (2 Cor. 11:14), so John instructs the believer to test it first.
How do we do this? Here are a few ways that might help:
1. Line it up to the scriptures.
If our greatest weapon is the scriptures that give us all we need for life and godliness, we must utilize it as the straight stick for truth. If something “feels right†to us but runs contrary to the Bible’s teaching, our feelings are not right and we must come under the authority of the Word. Being in your Bible is the greatest way to gain discernment from what is good and what is evil.
As John says: if it confesses Christ, it is of God. If it doesn’t, it is not. (v. 2-3). If it speaks from the world, it is of the world (v. 5).
2. Seek Godly counsel.
There is a reason why John uses so much family language in his letter. He wants us to operate in the context of a family, with spiritual mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who are there to give wise and biblical counsel. If you are unsure about something, ask a faithful follower of Jesus for advice. Not that they can answer all things for you, but wisdom sure does come in the counsel of many brothers.
“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us†(v. 6). By this we know truth from error.
3. Trust the Holy Spirit’s work in you.
“He who is in you (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world (the devil).â€
What a blessed hope and assurance that while temptations, trials, and deceit will come, the Holy Spirit given to us at our conversion is the guarantee of not only our salvation but also our sanctification. He is the agent by which we have spiritual discernment!
God is not only able, but willing to answer us when we need guidance. Whether it be wisdom, help, discernment, or anything else that leads us to holy living, trust that God is delighted to provide for us in our time of need. Ask Him, get into the Word for yourself, and listen to the voice of your Good Shepherd as He makes Himself known to you.
Written By: Drew Dukes
One of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is discernment that comes from the Holy Spirit. It can be difficult at times to know what the right thing is, and what to trust and not trust. God gives us spiritual eyes to see spiritual things when we trust in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2).
John writes to the Christian with a warning not to trust every feeling or instinct because not everything that looks like it’s from God actually is. Even since the Exodus, darkness has a way of disguising itself as light (2 Cor. 11:14), so John instructs the believer to test it first.
How do we do this? Here are a few ways that might help:
1. Line it up to the scriptures.
If our greatest weapon is the scriptures that give us all we need for life and godliness, we must utilize it as the straight stick for truth. If something “feels right†to us but runs contrary to the Bible’s teaching, our feelings are not right and we must come under the authority of the Word. Being in your Bible is the greatest way to gain discernment from what is good and what is evil.
As John says: if it confesses Christ, it is of God. If it doesn’t, it is not. (v. 2-3). If it speaks from the world, it is of the world (v. 5).
2. Seek Godly counsel.
There is a reason why John uses so much family language in his letter. He wants us to operate in the context of a family, with spiritual mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who are there to give wise and biblical counsel. If you are unsure about something, ask a faithful follower of Jesus for advice. Not that they can answer all things for you, but wisdom sure does come in the counsel of many brothers.
“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us†(v. 6). By this we know truth from error.
3. Trust the Holy Spirit’s work in you.
“He who is in you (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world (the devil).â€
What a blessed hope and assurance that while temptations, trials, and deceit will come, the Holy Spirit given to us at our conversion is the guarantee of not only our salvation but also our sanctification. He is the agent by which we have spiritual discernment!
God is not only able, but willing to answer us when we need guidance. Whether it be wisdom, help, discernment, or anything else that leads us to holy living, trust that God is delighted to provide for us in our time of need. Ask Him, get into the Word for yourself, and listen to the voice of your Good Shepherd as He makes Himself known to you.
Written By: Drew Dukes
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