A Daily Walk

John Randall: Pastor John says God has given us his word to help us discern truth from error. This is your best defense against error; it's the sword of the spirit. Did you know that the first piece of armor described in Ephesians, in the spiritual armament we are given, the first piece, do you know what it is? It's the belt of truth. It's the first thing. Why do you suppose that is?

Because if truth goes, everything falls apart. Everything is connected to truth. So the belt of truth is first. Everything else is connected to that. You lose that, you lose everything. And therefore, we have to know the truth, stand in the truth, be confident in it, and we won't be led astray.

Guest (Male): Have you ever read something online, received a strange text or email, or even had someone present some sort of truth claim, but it didn't sit well with you? It seemed off somehow. Well, not everything we hear is true, so it's incumbent upon us to test what we hear with the truth of the word of God. Pastor John Randall will help us with that today on A Daily Walk as we go deeper into 1 John. The early part of chapter 4 gives us a marvelous test for truth. Let's find our place there now.

John Randall: The apostle Paul, when he was on his missionary journey, made his way into the area of Thessalonica. He was able to preach there for three Sabbaths before he was driven out of the town by his accusers, those that were persecuting him. So he went to the next town, which was Berea. When he arrived in Berea, he also preached to them, but this was their response. In Acts chapter 17, verse 11, it says concerning the Bereans: they were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness and they searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

In other words, they received God's word, but they also verified it to ensure that what was presented was actually accurate. Every sermon, every prophecy, every book, every influencer should be measured against the truth of God's word. The Bereans, they were a noble church, not because they believed it quickly, but because they believed it thoughtfully. So the command is given to test things. The cause for testing is because there's false prophets that have gone out into the world. But the next principle presented is this: the criteria for testing.

What is the test? What are the questions on the test? What am I looking for? Here's the criteria for the test in verse 2: By this we know the spirit of God. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. Every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of Antichrist, which you've heard was coming and now is already in the world.

When we apply the test to determine whether what is being presented is true or false, whether or not it is biblical or heretical, there are specific signs that we look for and things that we need to carefully listen to. And the most important thing above everything else, here it is: what do they say about Jesus? What do they teach about Jesus? Now John, of course writing with the Gnostic in mind, says anyone who admits that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, confesses that he has come in the flesh, speaking of his incarnation, they are of God.

But he says on the other hand, anyone who denies that he came in the flesh, denies the incarnation, that is Antichrist. Don't believe it; it's not of God. Again, the Gnostics denied that Jesus came in human flesh. They claimed that he was a phantom, that he was a spirit. He kind of hovered when he walked. There wasn't really any footprints when he walked; he just kind of floated across like a phantom.

And by denying his incarnation, that is God being clothed in human flesh, the incarnation of Christ, what they rejected was the virgin birth, which would also deny the effective atonement of Christ for our sins and the physical resurrection, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was not of God. John says, do not believe it. This is the criteria that you apply.

Now, perhaps you have read or studied the man late A.W. Tozer. He's written a lot of great books, very convicting writing, but he had some wise advice and questions that you ought to ask when it comes to knowing something is true. How do you test for truth? Here's a glimpse of some of the things he said. When it comes to somebody's presentation of the word of God, here's something that you ought to ask. How does the teaching I'm receiving influence my relationship with God? Is he magnified? Is he glorified, or is he diminished?

Another question to ask when it comes to receiving the teaching from the word of God: how does the teaching influence my attitude toward Jesus? Does it magnify him? Does it make him first, or does it subtly shift my focus more to being on me rather than on Jesus? There's a lot of that teaching going around today, focused upon you rather than upon him. How does a teaching influence my attitude toward scripture? Does it originate from and align with God's word? Does it deepen my love for God's word?

Does it make me have a desire to know him more by studying his word? Is that what you receive? I pray that's what you receive when you come here. How does the teaching affect my personal life? Does it nourish me? Does it promote pride in me, or does it bring about humility? How about this: how does the teaching I'm receiving impact my relationship with other Christians? Does it cause me to withdraw, to find fault, to feel superior, or does it lead me to genuine love for those who know Jesus and even a love for those who do not know Jesus?

How does the teaching influence my relationship with the world system? Does the teaching I receive encourage me to chase after the desires of the flesh, of the eyes, of the pride of life? Does it prompt me to seek worldly riches, reputation, pleasures, or does it crucify me to the world? That is what I need to ask myself in the teaching that I'm receiving from God's word. And finally, how does the teaching influence my attitude toward sin? Does it accept sin in my life? Does it just tolerate it, or does it turn from it with a desire to pursue holiness?

All these are great questions when you're sitting under the word of God to ask yourself. Is that happening to me, or is it not happening? John is urging us to test what we hear. Just because someone claims to know God, has a spiritual background, makes certain religious statements, it is essential to pay attention to what they say about Jesus. And you will notice that some people proclaim a different Jesus than the one that is actually revealed in the Bible.

And if what they say about Jesus conflicts with the word of God, then it's a false religious claim. There are several groups today that make false claims about Jesus while presenting themselves as religious, spiritual, or even Christian. And these groups, they distort the identity, the nature, and the work of Christ while they use his name. They do not present Jesus of the Bible. I'm about to highlight some of those for you, and let me just preface what I'm about to say because people get very sensitive and would assume what I'm going to say is critical.

How could you say that? Is it critical to point out error? Is it critical to point out a lie that deceives people and leads people to hell? I don't think it's critical; I think it's being honest with you. It's a responsibility that I have. So what I'm about to say is not to attack, please understand, but it is to help you to be discerning between truth and error. There are sincere people today, but sincerity doesn't mean accuracy. Let me give you an example, a couple of them that I think are prevalent around us.

Number one: Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses, they have false claims about Jesus. Remember John said, what do they say about Jesus? They claim that Jesus is Michael the Archangel, that he is a created being. Furthermore, they reject the Trinity. They claim that Jesus returned invisibly in 1914. I think things would be much different than they are now if that were the case. But that's not biblically accurate.

The Bible doesn't teach that. In fact, they've also taken their translation of the Bible and changed it multiple times. I mean, you can't even count how many times they have changed scripture to align with their worldview and their false teaching. Another work that surrounds us is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is just another name for Mormons. They have false claims about Jesus. They believe that Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer, who is the devil.

They teach that he is a created being who progressed to godhood. They assert that God the Father has a physical body and that Jesus was conceived physically by him. Why is it false? Because it contradicts biblical teaching on Christ's eternal deity and the uniqueness of his incarnation. There is New Age spirituality that claims or portrays Jesus as a mystical teacher. He's a guru of sorts, an enlightened man. They equate him with other spiritual figures like Buddha or Krishna.

They deny his exclusive divinity and the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Why is it false? Because Jesus claimed exclusivity. In John chapter 14, verse 6, he said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me. And then there is probably one of the fastest-growing false religions in the world that is everywhere: Islam. They honor Jesus as a prophet, but they deny his deity, crucifixion, and resurrection.

They claim that he was not the Son of God. They say that when he returns, he will break crosses and correct Christians. But the New Testament is clear on Jesus' divine sonship, crucifixion, and resurrection. Their claims are false. But then you also have Christian Science, which, can I just tell you, it's neither Christian nor scientific. I don't know why they took that name; it's neither. But they distinguish Jesus the man and the Christ as a divine idea.

They deny physical death and resurrection of Christ. They claim that sin and sickness, they're just illusions. And there's more that you could go into: Scientology, etc. False claims. What do they say about Jesus? The deceptive part is that these groups employ biblical language, but they reinterpret it to align with their worldview. Here's what Paul said, 2 Corinthians chapter 11, verse 4. He said some preach another Jesus. So there's another Jesus that they're preaching than the Jesus of the Bible.

So what do we do? You test these things. Why? Because many false prophets are out there teaching a completely different gospel that does not save. And the criteria for the test is what they say about Jesus. So when we apply this test to those truth claims, here's what happens: we arrive at a conclusion. Those who uphold biblical truth and those who do not. Here we have the conclusion of the test. Once you apply the test, is it fact or is it fiction?

Is it true? Is it biblical, or is it heretical? What's the conclusion? Well, look at verse 4. He says, and I'm going to emphasize this for you, he says to the church, you are of God, little children, and have overcome them because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Verse 5: they are of the world, therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us. He who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

I emphasized the differences presented in the text: you and them, and they and us. There's a distinction. There's a difference. There is a contrast. When you've obeyed the command to test all these things, you're assured of several things in the conclusion. And I encourage you to make a note of these mentally or write them down. What can you be assured of when you apply this test? Ready? Number one: your identity. It says here: you are of God, little children.

That means absolute certainty. I am a child of God. I am walking in light. I am walking in truth. I know who I am. I am a child of God. That's what the Bible says. John chapter 1, verse 12, John wrote it this way and he said, but as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name. How do you know if you're a child of God?

If you confess with your mouth and you believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. That's how you know that you're in Christ. You can be assured of your identity. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. In 1 John 3:1, it says this: behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God. So what can you be assured of?

You can be assured of your identity. In a world that is full of deception and deep fakes, your identity as a child of God anchors you in truth. But the second thing that you can be assured of, not only your identity, your victory. It says here: and have overcome them. Why? Because he who is in you is greater than he who is in this world. Victory belongs to you because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

I find such tremendous comfort in this passage today, to know that I am not fighting this morning for victory; I have it. I have victory. I'm fighting from victory. And I can be assured of that. And how can I be assured of that? Because the Holy Spirit is within me, the Bible says, and within you if you're a believer. Romans chapter 8, verse 11, make a note of this passage. It's one of my favorites probably in the Bible.

It says, if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit who dwells in you. The Bible says in Romans chapter 8 and verse 37, yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. You can be assured today, a wonderful, powerful realization that he who is in you is greater than he who is in this world.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise up a standard against him. God will allow us to pull down every stronghold and high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Jesus said the gates of hell itself cannot prevail against the church if it's built upon him. So we are assured of victory this morning. But you know what else you can be assured of? And I don't know if you're going to be as excited about this one.

I'm excited about my victory, my identity. Can we just close in prayer? No wait, there's more. You're like, what? Your adversity. Do we have to go there? Let's do it. Verse 5: therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We're of God. He who knows God hears us, and he who is not of God doesn't hear us. Can I just tell you this morning, when you apply this test to what is true and what is false, there will be those that will not respond to you favorably.

They won't be excited about you. They won't be inviting you over. They have all kinds of names for you. And I'm not going to go into what those are, maybe you know. But I want to tell you something: you can be assured of adversity that will be displayed in several different ways. Here's the outworking of adversity. It'll come in the form of rejection. The Bible says in John 15, Jesus said to his disciples, the world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it.

But you're no longer part of the world; I chose you to come out of the world, so the world hates you. Oh man, the world would love you if you were really of them, but because you're not, we don't love you. We don't like you. In fact, every time you're around, you just bother me. Why you always got to talk about Jesus? Why you always got to say that? Why you got to point to this? They're not excited, so you can be rejected.

Don't be surprised. 1 John 3:13 says, don't be surprised, my brethren, if the world hates you. But we get surprised, don't we? I'm so surprised they wrote that. Why would they say that about you, about me? Why would they post that? That's so mean. I can't believe they did that. Don't be surprised. Second Peter tells us not only will there be rejection, but check this out: ridicule. Ridicule, what is that?

Second Peter 3:3 says, knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days. You know what a scoffer is? It's somebody that mocks you. Have you ever been made fun of? I mean, like, mercilessly made fun of? Just somebody just, oh man, that hurts, that's a dig. They'll mock you. They mocked Jesus. You'll be branded narrow-minded, unloving, anti-progressive, intolerant is what you are. That's not what you are, but that's what they'll say you are if you apply the test for truth.

How about this: reviling. Here's another one, reviling. In Matthew chapter 5, verse 11, Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: blessed. That makes me smile when he says that. Not when I'm on the receiving end of it, only when I read it. But blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my namesake. You're blessed. I mean, they're going to revile you, they're going to misrepresent you.

When you apply the test for truth, you can be confident. Oh, you can be assured in your identity and your victory and your adversity. You'll be opposed. That's what the Bible tells us. But there's one final thing that I want to mention to you. When you apply this test of truth, something that you can be assured of is your stability. Your stability in Christ. Look at verse 6 one more time: By this, notice the confidence, we know. The word is we know.

Not, well, I'm not sure. No, no. No, we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. That's stable. I'm confident in that. I know it. I don't have to wonder. I've applied the test of truth, I know what they say about Jesus, I know what God's word says, and so I'm confident where I stand, regardless of what I'm on the receiving end of. I know where I stand, and this is important not to be swayed with every wind of doctrine, but to be strong and to be stable in the truth.

The spirit of truth consistently directs us to Jesus and his word. You say, well, who is this spirit of truth? Jesus tells us who the spirit of truth is. He tells us in John chapter 14, verses 16 and 17. This is what Jesus said. I will pray the Father, and he will give you another helper, that he may abide with you forever. Here it is: the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him, but you know him.

He dwells with you and he will be in you. The spirit of truth, that's the Holy Spirit. In John chapter 16, again Jesus said it in verse 13: however, when he, the spirit of truth, has come, you know what he's going to do? It says he's going to guide you into all truth. He's not going to speak of his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will tell you things to come. This is the spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, that provides stability for the believer as he reminds us of what Jesus said, guides us into all truth, helps us to discern error.

The spirit of error is the deceptive, often subtle, even undetectable influence of false teaching, worldly philosophy that contradicts and distorts the scriptures. I want to say to you in concluding that in a world that is filled, and you know this, that is filled with false narratives, false teaching, spiritual counterfeits, we are not left without tools to be able to discern truth from error.

We have the word of God. We have the spirit of the living God. We have the assurance that greater is he who is in us than he that is in this world. So may God help us to know the truth, to test these things, in order that we may be able, in a world of voices constantly speaking, that we would tune our ears to one particular voice, and that's the voice of the Lord. Where Jesus said in John chapter 10, verse 27, my sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

And if Jesus is the truth, then he's going to lead us in truth. Listen for his voice. How do you hear his voice? You read what he says. You're a person of the word of God. This is your best defense against error; it's the sword of the spirit. Did you know that the first piece of armor that is described in Ephesians, in the spiritual armament that we are given, the first piece, do you know what it is? It's the belt of truth. It's the first thing.

Why do you suppose that is? Because if truth goes, everything falls apart. Everything is connected to truth. So the belt of truth is first. Everything else is connected to that. You lose that, you lose everything. And therefore we have to know the truth, stand in the truth, be confident in it, and we won't be led astray.

Guest (Male): We'll pause our study right here and come back next time with more. This is A Daily Walk; our teacher is Pastor John Randall. We're going through the entire Bible right now, start to finish. You can listen to this message online at adailywalk.com or wherever you get your podcasts. We also have a free app; search for Calvary South OC in the App Store. And whether it's a resource or prayer request, a question related to the study or a praise report, we would love to hear from you.

Maybe you're really discouraged or even depressed and would like prayer. Drop us an email at adailywalk@gmail.com or call us toll-free at 877-242-0828. Pastoral ministry isn't easy, to put it mildly. Yes, there are good times, but also pressures and personal costs as well. Much of that goes unseen by the congregation. In his new book, *The Other Side of Sunday*, Pastor John shares candidly what he has learned so far in pastoral ministry with the hopes of encouraging other pastors and leaders.

Whether you are a pastor, a church leader, or a member of a congregation, this book will deepen your understanding of the heart of a shepherd and point you to the one who sustains us all. The cost is just $15, and you can order it right now at adailywalk.com. Get an extra copy for your pastor as well. Again, adailywalk.com, or call 877-242-0828 for all the ordering details. And we want to take this time to invite you to partner with us.

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