SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4 

KEY POINTS TO PONDER: We are to test the spirits, meaning we must learn to distinguish between those who are living in faith in Jesus versus those who are falsely teaching others and don’t know God (vv. 1-6). John calls us to love, because God himself is love (v. 8). The more we abide in God and know him the more we are able to love God and love others. Perfect love drives out fear (v. 18). 

CHALLENGING TERMS:“The spirits” (vv. 1-3) is a rather cryptic term, but it basically refers to the evil and deceptive spiritual influences that can guide people. 

QUESTION: What sort of “spirit” or false teaching have you been tempted to latch onto most recently? 

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, that I can test every spirit against the trustworthiness of your Word. 

Consider praying that God would help your love to be perfected so that fear may be banished.