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"By this we know..."

Text: 1 John 4:6

DISCERNMENT BADLY NEEDED

Discernment is badly needed in many aspects of life. In the spiritual realm, few things are as important as discernment.

“By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
1 John 4:6

1. “By this we know”

a) John expresses confidence that we can have certain knowledge.

b) And through knowledge we can cultivate discernment.

2. “By this we know the spirit of truth”

a) If one confesses that Jesus is the Christ of God (1 John 4:2).

b) If one confesses that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:3).

c) If one is an overcomer through the Spirit who lives within (1 John 4:4).

d) If one is truly of God (1 John 4:6).

i) There is love for God and people (1 John 3:23).

ii) There is desire to keep His commandments (1 John 3:24).

iii) There is constant abiding in the Lord (1 John 3:6).

3. “By this we know… the spirit of error”

a) If one denies that Jesus is the Christ of God (1 John 4:3).

b) If one denies that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:3).

c) If one is of the world (1 John 4:5).

d) If one speaks like the world (1 John 4:5).

e) If one is recognised by the world (1 John 4:5).

i) If we say we have no sin (1 John 1:8).

ii) If we say we have not sinned (1 John 1:10).

iii) If we do not keep His commandments (1 John 2:4).

iv) If we allow hate to fill our hearts (1 John 2:11).

v) If we love the world (1 John 2:15).

vi) If we keep sinning recklessly (1 John 3:4,10).

This checklist would go a long way to help us become more discerning as believers.