I John 4:2-3

This month's Series looks at I John verse by verse. (Here is the link to the beginning of the Series: I John Introduction.)

Yesterday's post began John's next Feedback Loop (I John 4:1). Here is the summary:

John begins the latest Feedback Loop by stating that we shouldn't believe every spirit, but prove the spirits whether they are from God or not.

The way to prove whether a spirit is from God or not is whether the spirit supplies the Right HOW/WHY.

Today, we will see John's practical application for the way to prove whether a spirit is from God or not.


JOHN 4:2-3
"2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already."


In the previous verse (I John 4:1), John states that we should not believe every spirit, but prove whether it is of God. John immediately follows by explaining HOW to prove whether the spirit is of God or not.

John states that EVERY spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.

Notice, this does NOT say that every spirit that confesses that "Jesus is God" is of God. "Jesus IS God" is a Right WHAT. However, remember that deception is a Right WHAT with a Wrong (OR NO) HOW/WHY. Simply stating that "Jesus is God" does NOT prove the spirit is of God.

John showed that every spirit that confesses a Right HOW/WHY (Jesus Christ is come in the flesh) is of God.

Notice, "Jesus Christ" is a declaration that Jesus is the Messiah (The Anointed One)...so THAT is the Right WHAT. "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" is the Right WHAT with a Right HOW/WHY.

Remember, John wrote this letter SPECIFICALLY to address Gnosticism...the belief that Jesus did NOT come in the flesh! John is PROVING that Gnosticism is DECEPTION!

John also states that EVERY spirit that does NOT confess Jesus (is the Christ) is NOT of God. Notice, "Jesus is NOT of God" is a Wrong WHAT!

This verse is referring back to I John 2:18. In THAT passage, John PROVED to us that there are many antichrists in the world. Again, John is referring back to something he has already PROVEN to support his latest conclusion.

Remember also, John is speaking of SPIRITS. We don't war against flesh and blood (people).


SUMMARY
John PROVES that every spirit that has a Right WHAT ("Jesus is the Christ") with a Right HOW/WHY ("Jesus is come in the flesh") has to be from God.

John PROVES that every spirit that has a Wrong WHAT ("Jesus is NOT from God") cannot be from God.

Why?

Because God is light and in Him there is no darkness AT ALL.

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