“The Marks of a False Prophet”

1 John 4:1–6

I. Know Them By Examination (4:1)

1. They Are Different As to Their Master

2. They Are Deceptive in Their Message

3. They Will Depart On Their Mission

II. Know Them By Their Confession (4:2–3)

1. Faithful Prophets Declare the Truth About Jesus (4:2)

2. False Prophets Deny the Truth About Jesus (4:3)

III. Know Them By Their Identification (4:4–5)

1. Faithful Prophets Have a Foundation in God (4:4)

2. False Prophets Have a Congregation of the World (4:5)

IV. Know Them By Their Corruption (4:6)

1. Faithful People Hear God’s Word and Listen to That Which Is True

2. False Prophets Hate God’s Word and Listen to That Which Is False

Daniel L. Akin, 1, 2, 3 John, vol. 38, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001), 277.