Defense Against Deception
Adrian Moreno
Part of Living in Love
May 30, 2021

Download Printable Notes (open in browser)

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:18–27

1.

Reveal Answer


2.
Reveal Answer


3.
Reveal Answer

QUESTIONS for personal reflection and group discussion

  1. Read 1 John 2:18-23. What do you think is the best defense against false spiritual teaching?
    How can you tell if a “new teaching” is a helpful insight into biblical ideas, or a poison that will undermine your joy and faith?

  2. Read Matthew 23:1-12; 27,28. Jesus here is warning against the same kind of false teaching John warns about in First John. What seems to be the main evil of the Pharisees, according to Jesus?
    How does this relate to John’s teaching about our “anointing from the Holy One” who “teaches you all thing” in First John?
    How and when are you tempted to rely on human teachers over the Word of God? Why do you think that is?

  3. Read John 15:1-8 and 1 John 2:24-25. The best way to have the wisdom to spot a false teacher is to remain, to abide, with Christ daily. What do these passages say about remaining in Christ?
    How have you seen the importance of remaining in Christ in your own life? How can you continue (or begin) to build an abiding relationship with Christ?

Stay Connected