The Spirit of Truth

This morning we continue in our study through the first letter of John as we consider 1 John 4:1-6. John shows us a problem that many false prophets have gone out into the world. He calls for the beloved of God to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. John then tells us the criterion or test of the truth is confessing that Christ has come in the flesh. Finally he gives the consolation of having the Spirit of truth and teaches us, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). The beloved of God are called to discern truth from error by the apostolic witness of Jesus Christ. The church is called to be discerning, but we don’t need to be fearful. God has not left us to wonder what is true. We have been given the truth of Jesus Christ through the witness of the apostles and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. May we test and discern what we hear, hold fast to Jesus as he’s truly revealed in the apostolic witness, and find consolation in the Spirit who dwells within us. In Christ, we are from God and have overcome.