How Can We Beware of Those Who Would Lead Us Astray?

　　John is discussing the last days, the time between Christ's first and second coming. The readers of the first century of 1 John lived in those last days, as do we.

　　During this time, antichrists (false teachers who profess to be Christians and draw weakened individuals from Christ) will show up. Sometime before the world ends, one Antichrist will emerge who will appear extraordinary (Revelation 13; 19:20; 20:10).

　　Notwithstanding, we do not have to fear these abhorrent individuals. The Holy Spirit shows us their wrongdoings so that we will not be misled.

　　However, we should show the Word of God plainly and cautiously to those weaker individuals that are among us so they will not succumb to these false educators, “they come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15).

　　The antichrists were not absolute aliens to the congregation; they once had a place within it, yet they did not proceed with it. John does not say why they left; obviously, their explanations behind participating, in any case, were off base.

　　

Who Could Lead Us Astray?

Certain individuals might be Christians for not exactly the best reasons. Maybe going to church is a family custom. Perhaps they like the social and business contacts that they make there.

　　Or on the other hand, going to church is a long-standing propensity, and they have never halted to wonder why they started in the first place.

　　What is our primary justification for being Christians? Except if it is a Christ-focused explanation, we may not actually have a place.

　　We can actually be familiar with Jesus Christ on a personal level and become faithful, dependable followers. The Holy Spirit has placed himself upon us. At the point when we become Christians, we receive the Holy Spirit.

　　One way the Holy Spirit helps the Christian believer, and the congregation is by conveying the truth. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6), and the Holy Spirit directs the believers to him (John 16:13).

　　Those who are against Christ are likewise against his truth, and they have not allowed the Holy Spirit to work in their lives.

　　At the point when the Holy Spirit drives us, we have a method for remaining against these false educators and the Antichrist. We ought to request that the Holy Spirit guide us every day (2:27).

　　Obviously, the antichrists during John's period were endeavoring to be faithful to God while denying and contradicting Christ. John solidly said that this is unimaginable.

　　Since Jesus is God's Son and his Messiah, to deny him is to dismiss God's approach to uncovering himself to the world.

　　An individual who acknowledges Christ as God's Son, notwithstanding, acknowledges God the Father simultaneously. The two are one and cannot be isolated from each other. Numerous cultists today call themselves Christians yet reject the divinity of Jesus.

　　We should uncover these blasphemies and go against such lessons so those that are among us who may be weaker in the faith, do not surrender to their lessons.

　　It is possible that these Christians had heard the gospel from John himself. They realized that Christ was God's Son, that he died for their wrongdoings and was raised to give them another life, and that he would return one day and set up his Kingdom in its fullness.

　　Nevertheless, presently they were being invaded by educators who kept these fundamental teachings of the Christian faith, and a portion of the believers was at risk of capitulating to these false contentions.

　　John urged them to hold fast to the Christian truth that they had heard toward the start of their walk with Christ.

　　Yet, regardless of the amount that we learn, we should never leave the essential certainties about Jesus. Jesus will forever be God’s Son, and his penance for our wrongdoings is everlasting. No truth will at any point go against these lessons in the Bible.

　　

How Can We Stay Faithful?

Christ vowed to send the Holy Spirit to instruct his believers and help them to remember all that he had taught them (John 14:26). Accordingly, Christians have the Holy Spirit inside them to prevent them from wandering off.

　　Furthermore, they have the God-enlivened scriptures, against which they can assess problematic lessons. To remain consistent with Christ we should follow his Word and his Spirit.

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　　We should allow the Holy Spirit to assist us with knowing lies from the truth (John 3:6; Acts 1:5; Ephesians 1:13-14).

　　Christ lives in us, and we additionally live in Christ. This implies that we place our all-out trust in him, and live as he wants us to.

　　It suggests an individual, nurturing relationship. John involves a similar thought in John 15:5, where he talks about Christ as the Vine and believers as the branches (3:24; 4:15).

　　The apparent confirmation of being a Christian is correct conduct. Many individuals do benevolent acts (good works) however they do not have faith in Jesus. Others assert to have faith yet seldom produce any good works (acts of kindness).

　　A shortfall in our faith or right conduct is cause for disgrace when Christ returns. Since genuine faith brings about good works, the people who declare to have faith and who reliably live properly are valid believers.

　　Benevolent acts cannot create salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), yet they are essential evidence that genuine faith has really happened (James 2:14-17).

　　Everyone should know God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to earth, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, and died — buried in a borrowed tomb, rose from the grave three days later, ascended unto heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and will return one day to take his believers to glory.

　　Some will try to change that and say that there is another way, but they are false. It does not matter what letters are behind their names, what school of theology or seminary they attended.

　　True believers bow on their knees and cry unto God and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

　　

What Does This Mean?

When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we had to have heard the gospel message preached, and that seed was planted. Therefore, we know of the Truth for it should abide in us. We are to hold on to that truth and share it with others.

　　If someone tries to tell us something different, we need to go back to the Truth, back to the beginning. “Something does not sound right, not like what I have heard before.” The truth that abides in us is the Word. Jesus is the Word, and therefore Jesus abides in us.

　　How are we to know if what the preacher or teacher is presenting is correct? Look it up! False teachers are out to change you and to stop you from abiding in the Holy Spirit. Satan uses false teachers to trick us. We are to be equipped to stand against the devil.

　　Follow the Holy Spirit and seek God’s guidance. To know the truth better means that we need to get in the Bible. God will reveal the answers to the questions that we may not understand.

　　Pay attention to the Holy Spirit and listen to the Holy Spirit as it speaks. Heed the Word and read the Word.

　　For further reading:

　　What Does the Bible Warn about False Prophets?

　　What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, ‘Feed My Sheep’?

　　What Is the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit?