Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 11, 2014

“The Truth Test” 1 John 4:1-6 Bible Study 05/11/14
Building off of His reference to the Spirit in 3:24, John offers readers of every age some indispensable insights for distinguishing the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error. In 4:1-6, he not only exhorts readers to exercise discernment but also gives them standards by which to do it. Because truth is a matter of life and death, we are called to exercise careful discernment. The merit of any message must be measured by the standard of Jesus Christ.

I. Obey the commands (1)
-stop believing and start testing

-objective: to determine origin/source

-urgency: presence of pseudo-prophets

-obligation: for all believers

-recognition: behind every statement is a spirit…

II. Apply the test (2-6)
-not your own invention

-message content: Christological, confessional and comprehensive

-audience character: from the world/from God…

-a striking contrast

-cause for confidence

III. So what?
-Affirm the existence of absolute truth.

-Refuse to let toleration trump truth.

-Recognize the error of minimizing the exclusivity of Jesus.

-Make the connection between biblical literacy and truth discernment.

-Don’t let false teaching pick your spiritual pocket.

-“Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.”
(Be Thou My Vision, attributed to Dallan Forgaill)