How we recognize the Spirit of truth
1 John 4:4-6 - Regardless of who we meet, we must always try to share God’s Word.
“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
Do you feel “different” as a Christian? It’s fairly likely if you compare your lifestyle choices to those of the world-wise social media darlings who seem to flaunt morality and mock our faith. In these verses from 1 John, the author has just told the recipients of his epistle how to know when a false prophet speaks, and how denying Jesus is the Spirit of the Antichrist.
John is pointing out the difference between “them” and “us”. Those who have faith in Jesus are from God and have overcome the false prophets. The faithful have the indwelling Spirit of God (1 John 3:24), which is greater than the one who is in the world. Who is the one who is in the world? Satan and all those who are allied with him.
Today’s Christians can be easily swayed by the world, which is why they should run everything they hear, see, and read through the “filter” of the Spirit. As my faith has grown and my grounding in God’s Word has increased through study of the Bible, that filter has become even more discerning!
John notes that they are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. What does he mean by “speak from the viewpoint of the world”? Probably the best definition would be that those who are from the world show the influence of the world in their speech. Everything they think, say, or do is influenced by the world, not by God. Sadly, when they speak, the world listens to them. This is apparent in today’s world where memes are repeated ad nauseum regardless of their validity.
John’s next verse is also overflowing with the truth of the Bible — “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.” Have you ever noticed that you can get into a conversation with another devout Christian about a variety of topics and there’s a better chance that you will agree with them than you would talking with someone who is “of the world”.
Now, God loves to demonstrate His Word and His Truth in fascinating ways… Barb and I are on another trip (hey, we’re retired!) and we were sitting at a restaurant chatting with some locals when somehow we got on the topic of our travel blog and, of course, Heaven On Wheels (I was writing this devotional). Before we knew it, we were pointing these delightful folks in the direction of our devotionals. “Whoever knows God listens to us.”
Enduring Word had this to say about this “common language of fellowship”:
He who knows God hears us: Those who are of God enjoy fellowship with other believers; they speak the common language of fellowship with God and with each other, because one flows from the other (1 John 1:3).
i. This language of fellowship transcends language, culture, class, race, or any other barrier. It is a true gift from God.
Regardless of who we meet, we must always try to share God’s Word. Those who are already in Christ will be responsive and will listen; those who are not from God will not.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank You for letting me understand the truth that I can be in the world, but not of the world. I pray that I may remain encouraged by Your Word when the world loves its own but hates those who love You. Help me to bring Your Word to others so that they stay away from worldly philosophies and trying to please the world instead of You. Keep my mind focused on Christ, who loves me eternally, and may I never be concerned if the world shows no affection for me. AMEN.
This one took an unusually long time to write for some reason! I think vacation brain is the main culprit, but I just kept getting distracted by a lot of things.
It is so nice when you are on the east coast
Doing these 😂thank you again for the great messages