Sunday School Lesson
August 29
Lesson 13 (KJV)
AN ETERNAL HOPE
DEVOTIONAL READING: Romans 7:14–25
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10
2 CORINTHIANS 4:16–18
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:1–10
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
KEY VERSE
We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.—2 Corinthians 5:1
CONFIDENT HOPE
Unit 3: Faith Gives Us Hope
LESSONS 10–13
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize the basis of Christian confidence.
2. Explain the sense and reference of one or more of Paul’s metaphors.
3. Write two brief explanations of the basis of Christian confidence: one to a discouraged believer, and the other to a hard-core unbeliever.
HOW TO SAY IT
Corinthians Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
Hades Hay-deez.
Pharisees Fair-ih-seez.
Sadducees Sad-you-seez.
tabernacle tah-burr-nah-kul.
theophanies the-ah-fuh-neez (th as in thin).
Thessalonians Thess-uh-lo-nee-unz (th as in thin).
Introduction
A. Faith, Not Sight
A science-fiction movie portrays a future world where an evil alien monster can influence people through eyesight. Those infected this way commit destructive acts, even suicide. The solution is to live blindfolded—unable to be infected but also ill-equipped to navigate the currents of life. A climactic scene has the heroine attempting to navigate a dangerous river with two small children, all three blindfolded in a rowboat.
That fictional tale bears resemblance in some ways, but not in others, regarding how a Christian is to live. Christians are not “blind” to the evils of the world. We see them. And the way we can avoid that dark influence is because we also “see” the Lord’s way—the way of faith based on evidence. Ours is not a blind(folded) faith. It is a faith based on evidence, a faith grounded in the facts of history. When a crisis looms, will we walk by faith or by something else (see Proverbs 3:5)?
B. Lesson Context
As Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in AD 57, his contemplation of death was more than a spiritual exercise. Paul admitted to his readers that adverse circumstances resulted in being “pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8; compare 11:24–27).
This expectation of the potential end of his life forms the background for almost everything he writes in the initial chapters of 2 Corinthians. However, he emerges from this contemplation with a triumphant note, proclaiming in 4:8–9: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
Paul did not allow the prospect of death to deter him from his mission to bring the gospel to Gentiles in cities like Corinth. Some of Paul’s anguish may have been caused by false teachers who had come to Corinth to undermine his teachings and his authority. These are the sarcastically designated “very chiefest apostles” referred to in 2 Corinthians 11:5; 12:11. Whether their opposition included death threats is uncertain. But we know that Paul’s opponents were not above resorting to such intimidation (example: Acts 18:12–17).
Even so, Paul did not fear dying, for he knew that Jesus had defeated death (1 Corinthians 15:12–32; 2 Corinthians 4:14). Paul also knew that in his day there were many theories of what happened to people after death. The Greeks generally believed in an underworld place, the realm of the dead ruled over by the god Hades. It was a place of residence for souls released from their bodies, resulting in a shadowy spiritual existence. This place, also called Hades, was thought to be filled with gloom and despair, with no hope of ever being released (compare Acts 17:32).
Some Jews and Greeks believed there was no existence after death. The party of the Sadducees was known for teaching there was no resurrection (Matthew 22:23). This was a minority opinion, though, for most Jews believed in a future resurrection of all the dead, who would receive reconstituted bodies in order to stand before God for judgment (examples: John 11:24; Acts 23:8). Being a Pharisee, this had been the general mind-set of Paul as well (Acts 23:6). But the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on the third day (rather than at the end, at the general resurrection) brought everything into sharper focus.
I. Weight of Glory
(2 CORINTHIANS 4:16–18)
A. Daily Renewal (v. 16)
16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Having made a strong point about resurrection in the previous verses, Paul moves into the implications. In so doing, he begins by using a Greek word translated for which cause that he uses elsewhere seven more times in this book. The translations in these other seven are “wherefore” (2 Corinthians 2:8; 5:9 [see below]; 6:17), “therefore” (4:13 [twice]; 12:10), and “and in” (1:20).
This particular word usually implies that what the writer has just been talking about is self-evident. Paul spoke openly in the previous section concerning the prospect of his death, hinting that his life was in jeopardy (see Lesson Context). This threat, while dire, did not deter him from his mission. He preached Christ, not himself or his fears (2 Corinthians 4:5). This is his point: whether in the short-term or the long-term, Paul knew his life was temporary—and that earthly life was relatively less important than eternal life.
Therefore, Paul said he had found great peace, even in (or especially in) dangerous and discouraging circumstances. Even were his life not to end soon, the effects of aging and stress were only the outward man perishing little by little. Paul was growing stronger in his inward man—his heart and spirit—as a result of his relationship with the Lord. Daily, constantly, he found inner renewal (compare Ephesians 3:16). That was what kept him going.
What Do You Think?
What is the most important change you would have to make to your daily routine in order to make inner renewal a priority?
Digging Deeper
Predict how Satan might attempt to prevent you from doing so.
B. Momentary Affliction (v. 17)
17a. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment.
Paul put into perspective the dangers regarding his safety and longevity by calling the threats a light affliction. Qualifying this as our extends his comforting perspective to all of us. No one is exempt from worries caused by our mortality and the eventual death of those we love. But when compared to the eternity that makes up our future, these tribulations are but for a moment.
17b. Worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
In contrast to these “light afflictions,” Paul extols the heaviness of the weight of our future glory. This is a play on words. Paul writes in Greek, but he is fluent in Hebrew as well. In the latter language, the word for heavy (as in “weight”) is the same as the word for honor (as in “glory”). Thus he used dramatic phrasing to frame the nature of our future in eternity. As we ponder this, however, we should not understand Paul as saying that the “light afflictions” are ultimately irrelevant. The phrase worketh for us carries the sense of “causeth” (as the same word is translated in 2 Corinthians 9:11). Our struggles with life will yield the result of inexpressible and unimaginable glory.
C. Eternity Unseen (v. 18)
18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Paul continues to speak in paradox. We should not focus our sights on troubles in life but instead turn our attention to things which are not seen. The things that we can see last for a short time (are temporal). Such things may seem significant right now, but this significance fades with time. The things we cannot see have much greater importance because they are eternal.
To see the unseen, we must have eyes of faith, trusting the testimony God has provided. We do not want to be “without excuse,” the verdict on those who fail to discern the invisible qualities of God even though they should (Romans 1:20). Even more, how do we experience the eternal, our future “weight of glory”? We must do this with hearts of faith, not crushed by the complexities and disappointments of life. We must live out the assurance that comes from believing God raised Jesus from the dead and will raise us too (1 Corinthians 15).
II. Reality of the Spirit
(2 CORINTHIANS 5:1–5)
A. What We Know (vv. 1–3)
1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Paul uses various metaphors to contrast the temporary with the eternal in this letter. In the verse before us, he draws on biblical imagery of a tabernacle as a way of understanding our bodily existence (compare 2 Peter 1:13–14). The tabernacle was a movable tent that was eventually replaced by the temple. Thus the metaphor emphasizes the impermanent nature of our bodies. Paul did not fear the destruction of the earthly house of his physical body because he had assurance of another building, a permanent structure. This eternal dwelling place has a prime real-estate location: it is in the heavens.
2–3. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
This situation of living faithfully while faced with impending death brought Paul to a state of groaning, a word he uses for inward longing (2 Corinthians 5:4, below; Romans 8:23). The challenges of this life sometimes overshadow the magnificence of our future life in glory. A few years later, as Paul endured imprisonment in Rome, he went on to say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
What Do You Think?
How can you help your church set up a ministry that encourages its members to reach out to one another in times of “groaning”?
Digging Deeper
What problems are likely to occur in churches where members in distress reach out only to a staff member in such times?
Another metaphor for the human body is that of clothing, often conveyed with the phrase “put on.” In this world, we “put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12); we “put on Christ” in baptism (Galatians 3:27); we “put on the new man” and “put on the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 4:24; 6:11); we “put on the new man” as we put on virtues that culminate in charity, or love (Colossians 3:10–14). In the next world, when we are given resurrection bodies, we “put on incorruption, and … immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). We need not fear some type of spiritual nakedness. Death will not obliterate our identity but, rather, confirm and enhance it if we have “put on Christ.”
B. Why It’s Important (vv. 4–5)
4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Paul further comments on the reality of the “right now” vs. the coming reality of the “not yet.” The burdens of life are known so well and experienced so often that we need not even offer any examples—they are in the public domain of common knowledge. The main problem with these burdens is that in directing our attention to the “as is,” we take our eyes off of the “to be.” Paul’s acknowledgement in this regard builds on what Jesus said (see Luke 8:14; 21:34–36).
Paul makes it clear that we should not expect a future existence without a body. Unlike some Greek philosophers of his time, Paul, a Pharisee, would never expect a permanent, eternal existence as some sort of free-floating spirit (compare Acts 17:32; 23:6–8; 24:15; see also Lesson Context). What he longed for was the new body at the time when mortality, with all its limitations and frailties, would be swallowed up of life. As Paul stressed to the Corinthians in his first letter, in resurrection, “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54; compare Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14).
CAMPING?
I once heard a stand-up comedian explain in only five words why he never went camping: “Because I have a house.”
He then went on to poke fun at an imagined sequence of events. Our ancient ancestors initially slept out in the open. With the passage of time, they eventually saw the advantage of sleeping in caves. As more time passed, they moved on to sleeping in huts. After a few years of that, can it be imagined that anyone would say, “I’ve got an idea—let’s go back to the cave for the weekend!” The comedian then elaborated on how camping appliances were little more than poor imitations of appliances at home.
Being a non-camper myself, all this rang hilariously true to me. I think I understand the appeal of camping (getting close to the creation gets you closer to the Creator, etc.). But the bottom line is that I don’t go camping because I have a house.
Yet as much as I like to hang my hat on that fact, I must occasionally remind myself that my earthly houses—my current physical body and my place of physical residence—are both temporary. I should be a good steward of both resources, while not trying to cling too tightly to either. Hmm … Could it be that campers have an advantage over us non-campers in that regard? —R. L. N.
5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Paul retreats a bit from this future celebration of his own freedom from death to bring a present reality to his readers. We do not just await the glorious gifts of God; we enjoy some of them now. Chief among these blessings is the Spirit of God, given as an earnest of these future things. We may think of “earnest money” in a real-estate transaction: a potential buyer puts down a deposit to indicate that the offer to purchase is a serious one. The presence/gift of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, given at baptism (Acts 2:38–39), assures us that God fully intends to carry out His side of the covenantal contract (see also Romans 8:16–23; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:12–14).
III. Walk of Faith
(2 CORINTHIANS 5:6–10)
A. Our Confidence (vv. 6–8)
6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
During the time we exist in our current bodies, we cannot experience the full presence of God. To be at home in our present bodies means to be absent from the closest presence of the Lord. This was the result of the sins of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; the resulting separation and banishment included the loss of direct fellowship with the Lord (Genesis 3:23).
God’s holy nature does not tolerate sin in His presence (compare 1 Peter 1:15–16). His holy nature is connected with His glory (Isaiah 6:2–3), and His glory is too great for sinful humans to endure. As the Lord told Moses, “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live” (Exodus 33:20; compare John 1:18; 1 John 4:12). Places where humans apparently see God directly are what are called theophanies—visible manifestations of God, but not God in the fullness of His being (examples: Genesis 32:24–30; Exodus 18:12; 33:11; Isaiah 6:5). Something of a reversal will occur when Jesus returns; at that time, “we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:).
Our lives must be controlled by the things we know to be true in a sense of faith that is based on evidence. Paul expresses this in one of the greatest statements of the Christian life: we must walk by faith, not by sight. Paul’s own ministry stands as a testimony to this mind-set, as indicated by his enduring great hardships in obedience to his calling and purpose in ministry (see 2 Corinthians 11:23–29; compare John 20:29).
What Do You Think?
Where is the Lord calling you in your faith walk?
Digging Deeper
What is the single greatest “by sight” challenge that seems to be interfering with this call? How can you overcome it?
FLYING AS FAITH?
Would travel by air be an example of faith? Think about it. We get into a massive machine that is much heavier than air, and we willingly yield control of our lives for a couple of hours to people we don’t know. We do so even when visibility is at or near zero. We do so even though we might not understand how the GPS navigation works its wonders. We do so even when we are very well aware of the plane crashes we hear about from time to time.
All the above has to do with a certain type of faith—and there’s more than one type. We might call this type “airplane faith”; it is a faith based on historical evidence that chances are much greater than 99 percent that your plane will make it to its destination safely. It is not “blind faith,” another type, which is mere belief in something without any objective basis for that belief.
Our faith in the future that God promises is not a blind faith. Rather, it’s faith based on the historical fact that God’s track record is that of 100 percent reliability, as centuries of historical evidence prove. Is that the kind of faith you have and witness of to others? If not, why not? —C. R. B.
8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Once more Paul affirmed that death did not deter him or cause him to be fearful. He was confident in his ministry and life. If God called him to be absent from the body (to die), he would accept that willingly. He knew that his death would mean experiencing the full presence of the Lord, the full inheritance of his salvation, of which the Holy Spirit was the down payment.
What Do You Think?
What is the single most important change you should make to have more of the kind of confidence of which Paul speaks?
Digging Deeper
What will be your greatest challenge to overcome in doing so?
B. Our Labor (vv. 9–10)
9. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
Regarding the opening wherefore, see commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:16, above. By this conjunction Paul connects the ideas of our labour and being accepted of him with being “present with the Lord” of 5:8, just considered. To labor for Christ is not to work for salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9) but to express gratitude as we show that way to others (John 14:15, 23–24; 15:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 John 5:3). There are common elements to every Christian’s labors (example: 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12). But there are other elements of labor that are unique to the individual (example: Romans 15:20).
10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
The reasoning that follows the for we introduction to this verse stands in something of a chain reaction to the “wherefore” result of the previous verse. While we unreservedly look forward to being “accepted of him” (previous verse, above), Paul wanted his readers to remember that actions in this world (the things done in [the] body) are important and are known to God. At the judgment seat of Christ will occur an evaluation of our lives (see Romans 2:6). This picture of a time of future, heavenly judgment is consistent in Paul’s teachings (examples: Acts 17:31; 24:25; Romans 14:10). Christians are already justified (that is, treated as “not guilty”) in the eyes of God because the penalty for sin was paid on the cross (see Romans 3:21–26; 5:16). Any misgivings about having to endure judgment are far outweighed by the promise of glory Jesus has purchased for us.
Conclusion
A. Faith, Not Sight Revisited
Paul’s world was not a safe place. Cities could be impersonal and nasty. Villages could be hostile and dangerous for outsiders. Roadways always harbored the threat of bandits. Ships could be swamped by storms or attacked by pirates. Even in a case of assault or robbery, justice in court was often unavailable or corrupt. People needed to be ever wary and alert for danger. It seemed prudent to live just day by day in a self-protecting manner.
Even today we hear of incidents that scare us: “Widow bilked out of life savings by online dating.” “Ten-year-old girl in a crosswalk struck and killed by texting driver.” “Super-infection detected that resists any known treatment.” It is easy to despair.
For many, life lurches from one crisis to another. To look beyond one’s present sufferings seems impossible. But that is what Paul calls us to do. We are not to fear death. We already enjoy the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Rather than our succumbing to despair, Paul challenges us to walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we must endure and manage life’s crises as they come. But we do so knowing that God is in control and our future is sure. Take a minute to evaluate. Do you walk primarily by faith or by sight?
What Do You Think?
What concept in today’s lesson is most difficult for you to see “faith walk” value in? Why?
Digging Deeper
With what spiritually mature person can and will you discuss your misgivings?
B. Prayer
Father, it is tempting to respond to life’s challenges using only our own resources. May we instead have faith to trust You, to live as You would have us live. We pray in the name of the one who conquered death, Jesus. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Base hope in faith, not sight!
KID’S CORNER
Testing and Overcoming Deceivers
Sunday, August 29, 2021
1 John 4:1-6
1 John 4:1-6
(1 John 4:1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
The Bible and the Gospel and the Letters of John assure everyone that in this world people will encounter spirits. If a believer encounters a spirit, John tells his readers how to test to see if the spirit is from God or not from God. Evil spirits can influence or indwell those of the world to mislead them and to mislead others with false teachings. Whether seen with the human eye or not, evil spirits can directly and indirectly influence a follower of Jesus Christ to believe in falsehoods or do something wrong, so what they communicate must be tested, but an evil spirit cannot indwell or possess a follower of Jesus Christ, for a follower of Christ has received the Holy Spirit. Sometimes a believer in Jesus may think a thought and wonder how it came into their minds. John tells his readers not to believe every spirit or trust every thought that comes into their minds or that someone suggests without testing the spirits or thoughts to see if they are from God. Most notably, John mentions prophets and warns believers that many false prophets have gone out into the world and these prophets will claim that what they are teaching or directing people to do is from God. Once again, John tells us to test the spirits to see if they are from God. For example, a false spirit can influence or indwell a false prophet to sows seeds of doubt about the reliability of the Bible, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, and the promises of God. John also gives his readers some ways to test the spirits and those who claim to be true prophets of God but are not.
(1 John 4:2) By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
The followers of Jesus Christ have received the Spirit of God who indwells them. They receive their knowledge and understanding of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles from the Spirit of God who gives them understanding directly from within them and indirectly through God’s messengers, such as evangelists, preachers, and teachers who truly teach the Bible. The Spirit of God can give truths and ideas to believers that directly apply to their situation in life, but the Holy Spirit will never tell anyone to doubt the Bible or Jesus or the apostles’ teachings. Rather, the Holy Spirit will help the followers of Jesus Christ better understand and apply the teachings of the Bible and empower them to love God and obey the commandments of Jesus in any situation. The Spirit of God will never advise or lead anyone to disobey God’s revealed will in the Bible, but the Holy Spirit will lead and teach believers how to love God, their neighbors, and even their enemies as Jesus commanded. The Spirit of God will work through the gifts that God has given the Church as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11-13, “The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” In John’s day and our day, the ultimate test of a spirit regards what they say about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Does the spirit teach what the Bible teaches about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit? A false spirit will not confess that God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world in human flesh, and this denial has taken many forms throughout the subsequent centuries. In the days of John and Paul, those called Gnostics denied that Jesus really suffered and died and rose again as a human being (in the flesh). In our day, many will teach that Jesus was only a human being and not the Person named Jesus who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and sent into the world by His heavenly Father. In our day, a false spirit, false prophet, or false teacher will deny the teachings of Jesus, the teachings of the apostles, and the teachings of the Bible that conflict with the type of worldly and unbiblical life they want to live, and they will teach others to disregard the Bible’s teachings too. They will appeal to people’s self-interest and selfishness instead of encouraging G0d-centeredness.
(1 John 4:3) and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
Every spirit, every prophet, and every teacher that does not confess (they may craftily refuse to deny) that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, that does not confess that the Father sent His only Son Jesus into the world to save the world from sin, that does not confess that Jesus Christ gives eternal life to all who believe in Him and other truths about God the Father and Jesus that the Bible reveals to us are not from God. The spirit of the antichrist, the spirit of the one who lives in rebellion against Christ, will deny the truth and try to teach falsehoods designed to mislead the followers of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 24:5 and 24:11, Jesus warned: “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many” and “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.” The first followers of Jesus Christ did not have the Bible, especially the New Testament, as we have the Bible today. To avoid being misled by the antichrists, false prophets, and lying spirits, believers need to continue studying the Bible and praying for the Holy Spirit to give them the understanding they need. Believers also need to obey the commands of God the Father and Jesus rather than do what the worldly would lead them to do. Resolving to believe in, love, and obey Jesus Christ will protect us from many of the devil’s traps and help us better recognize and follow the Holy Spirit’s teaching and leading in our lives. In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul described and told believers to put on the whole armor. Remember especially Ephesians 6:11-10, “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
(1 John 4:4) You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
Along with his warnings, John wanted to reassure the followers of Jesus. As followers of Jesus Christ, John says to believers, “Little children, you are from God.” In Ephesians 1:5-6, Paul expressed this truth when he wrote that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, “destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” The followers of Jesus Christ are temples of God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit indwell the followers of Jesus. For that reason, we have conquered the evil spirits that would mislead us, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:16, “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’” God within us is greater than “the one who is in the world” (the evil spirit, the false prophet, or the antichrist). We can continue to conquer those who would mislead us as we prayerfully study the Bible with the intention of loving God more, obeying God consistently, and following Jesus more closely. Furthermore, believers know they have and will conquer evil spirits and worldly deceivers because our great God lives and rules over the entire universe from above and from within everyone who loves and follows Jesus.
(1 John 4:5) They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.
Believers in Jesus will seek to follow Jesus, and John gives another test that believers can use when approached by false guides, false prophets, and false teachers. John notes especially that worldly leaders will say what is from the world. They are worldly; therefore, they can only lead people to do what those of this world want to do and want others to do too. Furthermore, the worldly will listen to false prophets and lying spirits and remain deceived. The Holy Spirit will never lead a follower of Jesus Christ to do as the world does, and if we sense that type of leading, we know we are not being influenced by the Spirit of God for the Holy Spirit will always influence believers to obey the commands of God as revealed in the Bible.
(1 John 4:6) We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
John insists that he and the apostles are from God, and their teaching is a revelation from God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. Those who know God listen to Jesus, John, and the apostles. Today, we would say, those who know God listen to what they Bible teaches, and by “listens” we mean “studies the Bible and believes and tries to obey all the truths they learn from the Bible as fast as they learn them.” Those who are not from God will not listen to Jesus’ teaching or obey Jesus’ teaching. They will say that they do not believe the Bible’s teachings. The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, will affirm the teachings of the Bible and encourage others to believe and obey the Bible’s teachings, for the Bible is true, the Word of God written. The spirit of error, the spirits that would mislead us through false prophets and antichrists, will not listen to God, obey the commands of Jesus, or love God, others, and even their enemies. Those with the spirit of error will not listen to God or those from God. Remember: whoever knows God will listen to Jesus, John, and the other writers of the Bible, and they will encourage and teach others to listen to them too. Those who know God will especially listen to the New Testament, to the New Covenant that Jesus revealed and ratified with His own blood. They will learn more about God through Jesus, and love God more through Jesus, and obey Jesus better as their understanding of the will of God increases. In Hebrews 13:20-21, the writer to the Hebrews offers this prayer for every follower of Jesus Christ: “Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Testing and Overcoming Deceivers
Sunday, August 29, 2021
1 John 4:1-6
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out
into the world (1 John 4:1—KJV).
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see
whether they are from God, because many false prophets
have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1—NASB).
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see
whether they are from God; for many false prophets have
gone out into the world (1 John 4:1—NRSV).
John teaches the followers of Jesus Christ how to test and
unmask deceivers. Then, John reassures believers that they
have already overcome these deceivers. Finally, John tells
believers how they overcame and how they can always
overcome deceivers. First, believers can test deceivers from
the world. Worldly deceivers will say what is from the world
and the worldly trust them. John also tells how to test for
lying spirits that influence or indwell false prophets and how
to recognize the spirit of the antichrist. John writes that
antichrists have once been in the church, but because they
have never really been part of the church, they left the church.
Along with lying spirits and false prophets, antichrists try to
deceive the followers of Jesus. To test the spirits, believers
must remember that antichrists and false prophets are not
from God. They will not confess that the Father sent His Son,
Jesus Christ, into the world with a real human body, mind,
and soul. Second, John reassures believers that they are from
God; therefore, God indwells them, and they dwell within
God. The followers of Jesus Christ have conquered those who
would deceive them because believers are the temple of God
and God is greater than anything in the world. Third, to keep
overcoming deceivers, believers must keep listening to Jesus
Christ and the apostles. John tells his readers that they can
distinguish the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of error by
studying the Truth and obeying the Truth. Today, believers
keep listening to God when they read and study the Bible.
Thinking Further
Testing and Overcoming Deceivers
Sunday, August 29, 2021
1 John 4:1-6
Name ______________________________________
1. Why did John say he wanted the followers of Jesus to test the spirits?
2. How can you tell the difference between a false spirit and the
Spirit of God?
3. Who is the one who is in the believer and how can this
encourage a believer in Jesus?
4. Who do those of the world listen to and why do they do so?
5. How do we know the difference between the spirit of truth
and the spirit of error?
Discussion and Thinking Further
1. Why did John say he wanted the followers of Jesus to test the spirits?
Some spirits are demons who will control false prophets and make them tell lies to mislead people. They will try to mislead people away from God the Father and God the Son. They will try to mislead people away from trusting the Bible is the true Word of God written. John wrote of himself and the other apostles, “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us.” Whoever knows God will listen to the Bible and not follow a false prophet or evil spirit. Studying and believing the Bible will help the followers of Jesus test the spirits and avoid believing and following evil spirits.
2. How can you tell the difference between a false spirit and the Spirit of God?
A false spirit will not confess that Jesus is from God, it will deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (as a real human being with a real human body, mind, and soul). A true follower of Christ will know a false spirit is not the Spirit of God. When a false spirit denies Jesus has come in the flesh, that spirit is denying that the Bible is the true Word of God written and that spirit is denying the teachings of Jesus about God the Father and himself.
3. Who is the one who is in the believer and how can this encourage a believer in Jesus?
God the Father, God the Son, and the Spirit of God are in the believer. Believers know they are from God and have conquered these evil spirits.
4. Who do those of the world listen to and why do they do so?
They listen to the spirits that are not from God and to false prophets rather that listen to the Spirit of God, what followers of Jesus say, and what the Bible teaches. They listen to those who are from the world for what they say is from the world. They do so because they have rejected the true God, the revelation of God in Jesus and in the Bible, and they refuse to obey God.
5. How do we know the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error?
Those with the spirit of truth (Spirit of Truth) listen to the Bible (to the teachings of Jesus and the writers of the Bible) and obey God’s commands. Those with the spirit of error listen to evil spirits and false prophets, and they will not listen to the Spirit of Truth or obey the Bible’s teachings. They will deny some truths that are clearly revealed by Jesus and the Bible.
Word Search
Testing and Overcoming Deceivers
Sunday, August 29, 2021
1 John 4:1-6
Name _______________________________________
S E C P T G B E B K N E C P J
S F V J A R D G H W Q S G L E
E M A O T N H T U R T P Z R S
F L B L B A T C B N K I L T U
N G O N Z E P I E H E R S B S
O L Y T F S L R C U G I U G K
C E C H R W D O O H O T S O W
U I K T A L G E V P R L E D F
S L S Q I H R D R E H I J P L
V E Y H V Y J W S E D E S U Q
T M C E S L A F I F U G T T R
I Y I P H B X D L O L Q A S P
J N T J K R Z A Y G D E N Z D
A G P W F U C H R I S T S O I
Y K E V E I L E B J L N A H C
Beloved
Believe
God
Test
False
Prophets
Jesus
Christ
Flesh
Confess
Antichrist
Children
Conquered
Spirit
Truth
True and False Test
Testing and Overcoming Deceivers
Sunday, August 29, 2021
1 John 4:1-6
Name ____________________________________
Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.
1. It is important to believe every spirit because some of them might be right sometimes. True or False
2. It is important to test the spirits, because some spirits are not from God. True or False
3. False spirits can inspire false prophets who can mislead some people. True or False
4. The followers of Jesus can know the Spirit of God because every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. True or False
5. Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist. True or False
6. It is impossible for a child of God to conquer an antichrist. True or False
7. The One who is in a child of God is greater than the one who is in the world. True or False
8. Those who are from the world refuse to listen to those who are from the world because they know more than they do. True or False
9. Whoever knows God listens to what the writers of the Bible teach. True or False
10. Whoever knows God and studies what the writers of the Bible teach can tell the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
Prayer
Thank you that you are a loving, gracious God. Thank you that you’ve offered us forgiveness and the gift of new life in you. Thank you that your love is perfect …