1 John 4 is chalked full of amazing quotes and things to note and remember. It is broke up into two parts. Part one talks about being aware of the spirit world and knowing how to test the spirits. This chapter reminds us to be on our toes and always test the spirits and things that are told to us. The best way I believe to test a spirit is to see if it goes along with God's Word completely. God's Word will never contradict His Spirit. Even if something sounds great to us and we think, "hmmm.. thats a great idea or thought" but it is contradictory to the Word of God run from it. My ESV study notes remind me that, "Christian faith is not spiritual gullibility. Test the spirits. The unseen spiritual influences that guide people's speech and actions can be "tested" by observing their doctrine and conduct as well as by the gift of spiritual discernment." It is not ok to judge a person, but it is perfectly ok to judge fruit! Test the spirits by seeing if what they say are contradictory to the Word of God as well as by testing their fruit. And John reminds us in 1 John 4:4b "for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
The second part of this chapter reminds us once again to love one another. I have a feeling through this letter John is trying to help people understand the importance of love... what do you think? He reminds us over and over again that God is love and He showed it by sending His Son Jesus to live a perfect life to die for imperfect, sinful, enemies of God. We can only love because HE first loved us. Everything good about us is because of God. We are inherently bad and only through the love and grace of God we are good. Christian love is a gift we have through the cross of Jesus and only through the cross of Jesus. So as we move forward day to day lets remember to love one another.
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