Don't Be Deceived

Fall and Winter 2024

Mathiston First Baptist Church

1 John: To Know and To Show

Message #10

12/18/2024

1 John 3:19-4:6.

Central Idea: We should be careful that we are not deceived by the attempts of Satan to lure us away from Biblical soundness.

Guiding Question:

How do we ensure we are not deceived by false doctrines or any other deceptions of the enemy?

(i.e., tradition, cultural practices/norms, preferences, comfort, etc.)

We keep the commands of God. [vv. 19-24]

Regarding our assurance: We have confidence not because of our conscience or ability— God is mightier than our conscience, and He knows all things. [v. 20] Our assurance is not in our works. Our assurance is in the compassion and grace of God.

Verses 20-21 deal with a person’s awareness of their sin.

Namely, to believe in the name of Jesus and to love as He commanded (love God, love people). [v. 23]

Believe— constative aorist (panoramic view, the view of the whole)

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Three

“Should believe” is aorist subjunctive, its classification, constative aorist, viewing the entire course of a Christian’s life in one panoramic view. That is, the whole tenor of a saint’s life should be Christward

Love— present subjunctive. An ongoing result of the regenerative heart in the follower of Christ.

We test every spirit (wind of doctrine) by the Word of Christ. [vv. 1-3]

“Fewer in U.S. Now see Bible as Literal Word of God…A record low 20% of Americans now say that the Bible is the literal word of God, down form 24% the last time the question was asked in 2017, and half of what it was at its high points in 1980 and 1984. Meanwhile, a new high of 29% say the Bible is a collection of “fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man.” (Fewer in U.S. Now See Bible as Literal Word of God (gallup.com)

Colossians 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

This is the second time John has mentioned the antichrist in this letter— remember, he wrote in 1 John 2:22–23 “22 Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; he who confesses the Son has the Father as well.”

Multiple times throughout, there are phrases that indicate source— our responsibility as Christians, is to determine (test) the source of the spirit/doctrine of which we encounter and adhere to:

Six times in these verses the phrase “from God” ( εκ του θεου) appears — v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6.

Twice in these verses the phrase “from the world” (εκ του κοσμου) appears — v. 5

Confess = ‘ομολογεω — To say the same as, to agree with.

We rely upon the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to grant the power to overcome whatever is not of God. [vv. 4-6]

Take note of the teaching already of John--

1 John 3:13–14 “13 Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.”

Those of the world, namely those who deny Christ as the Son of God, we have already been given victory over because the Spirit in us is greater than the spirit in them [v. 4]

Those denying Christ are from the world.

Those proclaiming Christ are from God.

Those who listen to the Word of God, namely, the proclamation of Jesus Christ, are of the Spirit of truth; those who do not listen, they are of the spirit of deception.

Know this: God has given us the power of His Spirit that we might overcome that which is of the world. However, if we do not rest in His power, if we do not study His Word, if we do not live by His Spirit, then we cannot expect to have the assurance and confidence that comes when we do.

Reflection Question:

[1] How can you know, this week, that you are of the truth (Jn. 14:6) and that you have not been deceived?