1 John 4:1-21

Contents: Christians warned of false doctrines concerning Christ's person and work. Tests of the true.

Characters: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, anti-christ, John.

Conclusion: God's people must be ever cautious concerning false teachers that may arise to deny the incarnation, deity and atonement of the Lord Jesus, and must accept none of their claims without testing them by God's Truth in the light of the Holy Spirit's teaching. The spirit of truth is known not only by doctrine but by love which is the natural fruit of the Spirit. The manifestation of divine love through the life argues a true and just apprehension of the divine nature, and such love can never deny the Lord Jesus.

Key Word: Truth and error, 1 John 4:6. Love, 1 John 4:7.

Strong Verses: 1 John 4:1; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:8; 1 John 4:9; 1 John 4:10; 1 John 4:11; 1 John 4:15; 1 John 4:19; 1 John 4:20.

Striking Facts: Seven tests of true doctrine are given here. Does it confess Christ's true humanity? 1 John 4:9; 1 John 4:15. His vicarious atonement? 1 John 4:10; 1 John 4:14. Does it tend to worldliness? 1 John 4:4; 1 John 4:5. Do spiritually minded people agree with it? 1 John 4:6. Does it witness to the spirit of divine love? 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:8. Does it accord with the teaching of the Holy Spirit? 1 John 4:13.