"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN"

Chapter Four

John cautions his readers not to believe everyone who claims to be led by the Spirit, but to test them (1-6). He then exhorts them to manifest brotherly love in keeping with the character and example of God's love as demonstrated in the sacrifice of His Son (7-21).

POINTS TO PONDER

• Distinguishing the spirit of truth from the spirit of error
• How God's love should impact our love for one another

REVIEW QUESTIONS

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1. What are the main points of this chapter?
• Test the spirits 1Jn 4:1-6
• God is love 1Jn 4:7-21
2. Why should one not believe every spirit? (1)
• Because there are many false prophets
3. If one is truly led by the Spirit of God, what will they confess? (2)
• That Jesus Christ has come in the flesh
4. What did John say about the coming of Antichrist? (3)
• It was already in the world at the time John was writing
5. What did John write about their ability to overcome? (4)
• He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world
6. How does one discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error? (6)
• By whoever listens to the apostles (cf. 1Co 14:37; 1Th 2:13)
7. Why should we love one another? (7-8)
• Love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God
8. How was God's love for us manifested? (9-10)
• By sending His Son into the world to be the propitiation for our sins
9. How can we ensure that God will abide in us? (12-16)
• By loving one another
10. When we love one another as we should, what does it give us? (17-18)
• Boldness in the day of judgment; i.e., no fear
11. If we claim to love God, but hate our brother, what does that make us? Why? (20)
• Liars; if we do not love someone we've seen, how can we love Him we've not seen?