June 10, 2022

THE LETTERS OF JOHN: STAND ON THE TRUTH

June 10, 2022

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

It is often very aggravating to find someone has lied to you, isn’t it? When you found out, how did you handle it?

Today we move into the fourth chapter of 1 John. John begins this chapter by writing about the importance of Truth. Some people are able to spot a lie instantly, while others, more naive, believe what they’re told. When it comes to matters of our salvation, John lays out why it is so vital that we be able to discern between what is true and what is false. Satan would like nothing better than to see us taken down and devoured. We must always know the truth, stand on the truth, and speak it in our hearts.

Focal Passage: 1 John 4:1-6

Knowing truth makes all the difference

  • Read 1 John 4:1. What is meant by “do not believe every spirit”? Who are the spirits? Are they friends or enemies of Christ-followers?
  • Why is it so important to test the spirits? Where are the spirits who are in the world, and what is their mission?
  • Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5a. How is this an accurate analysis of the world we live in today? Read 2 Timothy 3:5b-7. What will be the result of those who are gullible, living immoral lives? How could they make a different choice?
  • How do we continue to grow in truth? Read 1 John 3:24. Our salvation is more precious than gold. Why is it imperative that we continue to abide in Him, never quitting?

Jesus is the source of truth

  • Read verses 2-3. How do you recognize the Holy Spirit of God? There are spirits who do not believe Jesus is God, who came in the flesh to this earth; who are they? Read Jeremiah 9:3. Why is this so descriptive of those who don’t know truth?
  • Who else are described as spirits that do not know truth? Does verse 3 apply to our world today? How?
  • Why is it so necessary for our lives as children of God that we know truth? Read Hosea 4:1. Why does this sound like people in our world?
  • Read John 14:6. If we have Jesus, and hold tightly to Him—abiding in Him, why will we overcome?

The truth gives us power

  • Read verse 4. Who is in you? Read John 14:17. If the Holy Spirit is in you, but you do not appropriate the resurrection power, can you overcome the evil one?
  • Read Ephesians 6:10-11. Why is it so important to put on the pieces of armor (i.e., what each piece represents)? Is there any other way to be able to overpower the devil, other than knowing God’s truth? In Matthew 4:1-11, how did Jesus overpower Satan? If Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, vanquished him by Scripture, should we use it to fight our battles?

The truth reveals truth

  • Read verses 5-6. Who is “they,” referenced three times in verse five? What was John speaking of when he used the word “world”? How else can you interpret it?
  • What are some things in this world that cannot coexist with each other?
  • Read Psalm 40:10. If we confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and know truth in our hearts, what are we to do?

Close:

Those of us who lived during the middle years of the past century remember well when most movies were stories of good vs. evil. Those made by reputable film producers almost always showed the victory of the good winning over the evil. Now, life seems to have turned into a gigantic movie set, with a stage representing good and evil, and evil is seemingly winning everywhere we turn—and it can get us discouraged unless we know the truth of the Word of God. We must hang onto the Revelation of John that the devil and his demons will, at the end of the ages, be cast into hell for eternity. It is hard to believe someone would choose to be so evil, with no repentance, and try to take as many with him as he can. We must hold on tightly to the truth that Jesus is God, and is for us, and has overcome the world.

But we have to see the bigger picture, don’t we? We, who were raised as Christ- followers, have raised several more generations in the church, but have seen many of our family going “the way of Balaam.” They have been tempted beyond what they can endure, have chosen evil over good, the world (those ‘against God’) rather than God, sin over holiness. Why? What is so attractive in the world that it trumps heaven?

Evil and Truth cannot coexist. But when the polls are read and we understand many Christians spend only minutes a day, if even that, reading the Bible, or a couple of chapters although they can’t recall what they read, we see they are not being fortified by truth in God’s Word. Those who abide in Him have the seal of the Holy Spirit by Him indwelling us, giving us His power by which to overcome temptations the world throws at us. We can’t defeat the devil if we haven’t hidden God’s Word in our hearts when God has provided the power for us to overcome, by recognizing the devil’s counterfeit lies. God has won the victory, battle by battle. He deserves all the praise we can give Him. We are to believe in Him, confess Him before men, and share the truth of the gospel. We need to stay in His Word, know the truth, and the truth shall set us free. Truth is Jesus.