1 John: How do we discern between truth and deception?

1 John

Believe

21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 1 John 2:21-25 (ESV)

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1 John helps us answer key questions:

•       How do we discern between truth and deception?  (1 John 2:18-28)

•       How do we know we are right with God?  (1 John 2:29-3:10)

•       How do we know we are right with one another?   (1 John 3:11-24)

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How do we discern between truth and deception?

1. Hold up against the standard of truth: himself (2:21-23).

21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:21-23 (ESV)

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2. in Jesus (2:24-25, 28).

24 Let what you heard from the beginning in you. If what you heard from the beginning in you, then you too will in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

28 And now, little children, in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 1 John 2:24-25, 28 (ESV)

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3. by the Holy Spirit who lives in you (2:26-27).

26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:26-27 (ESV)

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“Discernment” questions I’ve found helpful:

• Is the person accountable to someone else?

• What’s the person’s posture toward authority?

• Is the person in alignment with what we believe?

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