What three tests does John give for determining whether a person truly knows God? How can you determine truth from error? Why is error accepted and propagated? How is God related to truth, error, and love? If you have submitted to God’s love, how has your life been affected?

My dad was a coach in my younger days, and they let me be on the sideline to help the players with equipment, water, etc. There was a scrimmage game in Southeast Texas at the end of August. That is the time of year that tropical storms build up in the Gulf of America. Well, a storm was building and during the game, we had torrential rain.

I was told by some authority figure to get underneath the bench out of the rain. I did exactly what they said and stayed under the bench. Following those in authority can be good and can be bad. When the refs sent the teams inside due to the weather, I didn’t move and stayed under the bench.

They couldn’t find me even after the scrimmage was called because of the weather. The team was all in the dressing room, but I was still under the bench. No one had told me to get out from under there. Following someone’s lead should not be permanent. You must have some independent thought, adjust to the situation, and step ahead under God’s direction.

Reading today in 1 John 4:1-12, these same thoughts about decision making is shared. The authority figures of the world do not always lead us in the right direction. Rather, it is knowing God and being ready to step ahead to where He leads and what He wants us to do for our situation that is important.

In today’s passage, John gives three tests for determining whether a person has the Spirit of God in them and can be trusted to lead us in spiritual matters. The first test is that a person who acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh has the Spirit of God and can be trusted (v. 2). The second test is that every person who does not acknowledge Jesus does not have the Spirit of God but of the antichrist and should not be trusted (v. 3).

The third test determines truth from error. Those who listen to followers of Jesus have the Spirit of God, but those who do not listen, do not have the Spirit of truth but of falsehood (v. 6). Many accept the error of the world instead of the truth from God. Not only do they accept the manufactured ways of the world, but they even spread the error to others rather than truly caring for others.

To be affected in a positive way, make a difference by caring about the future of others by sharing about God’s love for us as stated in 1 John 4:10

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

By submitting to God’s love and being well acquainted with His Word or His Truth, we are given knowledge, understanding, and the help needed in making good decisions. This guidance leads us so we get out of the rain or the storms we are in.

Father God, we face obstacles, roadblocks, and storms in life, but You are greater than these difficulties we face. We trust Your love and want others to know how much You love them too. As we follow Your Word, give us the knowledge, the common sense, and the ability to make correct decisions. Help us to desire to help others too in what they are going through so they make decisions to get out of the rain or storms they are in by following Jesus. Amen.