How to Get Good Spiritual Teaching

Introduction

You need a new car, but you don’t know which one you want. You visit several local lots looking for someone to deal with whom you can trust. How do you try to determine whether or not the salesperson is honest? You have certain criteria you take into account in your evaluation. In a similar way, God gives us certain criteria by which we can evaluate spiritual teachers and leaders. If they say certain things and listen to certain people they are of God, and if they say other things and listen to other people they are of the world and opposed to God. Are you ready to learn how to tell if you are getting good spiritual teaching? Find out what God says in 1 John 4:1-6…

Observation

Pray

God wrote His Word to you so that you would understand it. Ask Him to give you understanding and to show you how to apply it to your life.

Read Focus Verses

As you read 1 John 4:1-6, try to figure out what is the main thing these verses are communicating?

God’s People

Notice what the passage says God’s people believe. What does it say in verse 2 that they believe?

The Spirit of the World

What do people of the world not believe according to verse 3?

The One With You

What reason does God give us in verse 4 for saying that we have overcome the world?

Keyword – Spirit of God

This passage contrasts two systems of thinking and living – one from God and one from the devil. By marking each, we will see the contrast more vividly. Use this symbol to represent the good side of the division in this passage.

God’s Side

I don’t know about you, but I want to be on God’s side! Mark all of the occurrences of the words denoting God’s side – words like “Spirit of God” and “spirit” (when it is used for those believing what God says) – don’t forget pronouns when applicable (he, us).

Keyword – Antichrist

Use this symbol to represent the evil side of the division in this passage.

The Other Side

Mark all of the occurrences of the words denoting the side of things which opposes God – words like “antichrist” and “false prophets” – don’t forget pronouns when applicable (he, them).

Interpretation

False Prophets

Read what Jesus says about false prophets in Matthew 7:15-20.

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

Why do you think false prophets try to look like faithful Christians?

Antichrist

Verse 3 says that those who deny the humanity of Christ have the spirit of antichrist. Perhaps you have a vague idea of what that means. Here is what Easton’s Bible Dictionary says: Antichrist — against Christ, or an opposition Christ, a rival Christ. The word is used only by the apostle John. Referring to false teachers, he says (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7), “Even now are there many antichrists.”

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Love or Discernment?

Many people say that love and discernment exclude each other. Read today’s verses about being spiritually discerning in their context of 1 John 4:1-11.

Loving Discernment

What does the placement of verses 1-6 right by the next verses, which teach us to love one another, tell us about the relationship between love and discernment?

First Love

If it seems unloving to be discerning and to test whether or not teachers are teaching truth or error, think about whom Jesus teaches us in Matthew 22:37-40 we are to love first.

Test

Verse 1 directs us to test those who profess to be of God. Let’s examine the original word in Greek.

Full Humanity

Why is it so critical to believe that Jesus Christ became a man? Consider what this poem says about the necessity of Him becoming a man.

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The Shepherd’s Voice

In verses 5-6 we are told that those who are of the world listen to those who speak of the world, and those who are of God hear those who speak of the things of God. Notice the parallel with John 10:27-28.

My Sheep Hear My Voice

Watch as three strangers try to call this flock of sheep – note the reaction of the sheep. Then watch as the shepherd calls them and notice the difference.

A Comforting Promise

1 John 4:4 tells us that those who are of God have overcome the world through the One whose power works in them. Notice in John 16:33 who this is.

Overcoming the World

Who has overcome the world?

Who Overcomes?

1 John 5:4-5 gives us more detail about these people who are of God and have overcome the world.

Born and Believing

These verses tell us that those who overcome the world have which two characteristics?

Two Natures

When we compare 1 John 4:2 and 1 John 5:5 we see that Jesus has two natures. What are they? (He is ___ and ___.)

Application

Whose Voice Do You Hear?

The passage today said that those who are of God will listen when God’s people speak of the things of God. But people of the world will be interested in the things of the world. What do your ears perk up to hear?

Discernment and Love

If someone expressed that discernment is not loving, how could you use 1 John 4 to show them how love and discernment work together?

God and Man

If someone asks you whether or not Jesus was God and man, how could you use the verses you looked at today to show them?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you understand how to evaluate spiritual leaders to make sure you are getting good teaching.

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