1 John 4

1 John 4 teaches believers how to discern between truth and error, especially when many false spirits and false prophets are in the world. John tells believers not to accept every spiritual claim, but to test whether it is truly from God. This chapter also strongly emphasizes love as the evidence that a person truly knows God, because God is love. God’s love was shown most clearly when He sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. John explains that when God’s love lives in us, it removes fear, gives us confidence before Him, and causes us to love others not only in words but in real life.

1 John 4:1 (NKJV)
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

John warns believers not to believe every spirit, teaching, preacher, or spiritual claim. Not everything that sounds religious or spiritual comes from God. Some teachings may appear good outwardly but can lead people away from Christ and the truth. That is why believers must “test the spirits,” meaning they must compare every teaching with the truth revealed in Scripture, especially the truth about Jesus Christ. This verse reminds us that spiritual discernment is very important, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. A true believer should not be careless or easily deceived, but should stay grounded in God’s Word and depend on the Spirit of God to recognize truth from error.

1 John 4:2–3 (KJV)
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist…

John gives believers a clear test to discern between the Spirit of God and the spirit of error. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ “is come in the flesh” is of God, but every spirit that denies this truth is not of God and carries the spirit of antichrist. At the basic level, this means we must confess that Jesus truly came as a real human being, not merely appearing to be human. This was important because some false teachings denied that Christ truly took human flesh. But the wording “is come in the flesh” also points to a deeper present truth. The Greek word translated “is come” is ἐληλυθότα, from ἔρχομαι, meaning “to come.” It is a perfect active participle, which describes something that happened in the past but continues to have present results. This is why the KJV renders the phrase well as “is come,” because it preserves the sense that Christ’s coming is not only a past event but has continuing present reality. So John is not only saying that Christ came in human flesh in the past, but that the reality and power of His coming still continues. Christ is not only the One who came long ago; He is also the One who lives in His people today by His Spirit.

This means the true confession of Christ is not only a statement of doctrine, but also a living experience. We confess that Jesus truly came in the flesh, and we also recognize that His life is meant to be revealed in our flesh today. This agrees with the New Testament teaching: “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20), “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27), and “Jesus Christ is in you” (2 Corinthians 13:5). So the test is not merely whether someone speaks about Jesus historically, but whether they acknowledge the true Christ whose life continues to dwell in and transform believers.

Ellen White also expressed this practical meaning when she wrote: “When we confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, we are to confess that He has come in our flesh.” She continued, “We have laid aside our own sins and we are living to the glory of God.” — Ellen G. White, Manuscript 15, 1894, paragraph 23; also listed as Letters and Manuscripts, Volume 9, 1894, Ms 15, 1894, par. 23.

J. N. Loughborough, an early Adventist pioneer, also emphasized the importance of the wording. He wrote: “It does not say that Jesus Christ ‘did come in the flesh,’ but ‘is come in the flesh’; that is, that He comes, by His Spirit, and dwells in us.” He connected this directly with the gospel truth of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — J. N. Loughborough, The Great Second Advent Movement, pp. 302–303.

These comments show that the confession “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh” is not only about correct doctrine, but also about a changed life. It means Christ truly came in real human flesh, and it also points to Christ living in believers by His Spirit today. His life is to be revealed in our flesh as we lay aside sin, live to the glory of God, and allow His presence to transform us.

1 John 4:4-6(NKJV)
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

John encourages believers by reminding them that they belong to God and have overcome false teachers and deception. Their victory does not come from their own wisdom or strength, but because the One who is in them is greater than the one who is in the world. God’s Spirit and Christ’s life in the believer are greater than Satan, the spirit of error, and all worldly deception. False teachers speak according to the world, so the world listens to them because their message agrees with worldly thinking and does not truly challenge sin. But those who truly know God will listen to the truth that comes from Him. This passage helps believers understand the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Those who belong to God will be drawn to His truth, while those who belong to the world will reject it.

1 John 4:7-10 (NKJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John teaches that love comes from God, and those who are truly born of God will show His love in their lives. A person who does not love does not truly know God, because God’s very nature is love. This love is not just a feeling or idea; God proved His love by sending His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. This shows that true love is active, sacrificial, and life-giving. John also makes it clear that love began with God, not with us. We did not love God first, but God loved us first and sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. This passage shows that the greatest revelation of God’s love is seen in Christ, and those who receive this love are called to reflect the same selfless love toward others.

1 John 4:11-16 (NKJV)
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

John explains that because God loved us so greatly, we also should love one another. Even though no one has seen God directly, His presence is revealed when His people love one another. When believers live in love, God abides in them, and His love is being made complete in their lives. John also says that we know we abide in God because He has given us His Spirit. The Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world, and those who confess Jesus as the Son of God are abiding in God, and God in them. This passage connects true faith, true confession, the Spirit of God, and love together. To know God is not only to believe correct doctrine, but to know and believe the love God has for us and to let that love live through us. Since God is love, the person who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 John 4:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been perfected in love.
19 We love Him because He first loved us.

This passage shows how God’s perfect love changes believers and removes fear from the heart. When we abide in God’s love, we can have confidence in the day of judgment, because Christ’s life and character are being reflected in us in this world. This confidence does not come from our own goodness or personal merit, but from knowing God’s love, trusting His mercy, and living in His presence. Perfect love casts out fear because those who truly understand God’s love do not live in constant fear of punishment. Fear is connected with guilt, condemnation, and judgment, but God’s love brings peace, assurance, and security. John also reminds us that we love God because He first loved us. Our love does not begin with ourselves; it is a response to the love God has already shown us through Christ. This passage teaches that God’s love is not just an emotion, but a power that gives confidence, transforms the life, removes fear, and enables us to love others with the same selfless love we have received from Him.

1 John 4:20-21 (NKJV)
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

John teaches that a person’s love for God must be seen in how they treat others. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, John says that person is lying. In this context, “brother” mainly refers to a fellow believer, someone who shares the same Father and faith. The logic is clear: if we cannot love even our brother, who belongs to the same spiritual family, then our claim to love the unseen God is false. God is invisible, but our brother is visible; therefore, the visible test of our invisible love for God is the visible love we show toward others. If we truly love God, it means we have received His love, understood His love, and allowed His agape love to live in us. Because God’s love is selfless, merciful, patient, and forgiving toward us, that same love should flow from us toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. And if God’s agape love truly lives in us, it will not stop there, but will also teach us to love neighbours, sinners, and even enemies without approving sin. John is not saying that love means accepting every wrong thing people do, but it does mean we must not live with hatred, bitterness, revenge, or a hard heart toward others. Verse 21 reminds us that loving our brother is not optional; it is a command from God. True faith is more than words, feelings, or religious profession. It must be shown through real love, patience, forgiveness, kindness, and care in our relationships. This passage calls believers to examine their hearts and make sure their love for God is truly being reflected in the way they love others.