Abiding in Truth, Anointing, and the Antichrist Warning

Devotional

Day 1: Abide in the Truth—Jesus Is the Truth

Truth is not merely a set of abstract ideas or intellectual concepts, but is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. To love the truth is to love Jesus, who reveals, transforms, comforts, and confronts us. God calls us to walk in truth, to know the truth, and to become people who are truthful in heart, because He Himself is the truth. Embracing the truth means allowing it to shape our lives, even when it challenges us, and recognizing that our relationship with Jesus is the foundation of all truth. [04:44]

John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to let Jesus’ truth confront and transform you? How can you invite Him to speak into that area today?

Day 2: Beware of Antichrists—Hold Fast to Christ

Throughout history, many have tried to distort or deny the identity of Jesus, leading others astray with false teachings. The spirit of the antichrist is not just a future threat but a present reality, manifesting in those who deny that Jesus is the Christ and who separate themselves from the core truths of the faith. True belonging is shown by remaining in the apostolic teaching about Jesus, and those who depart from this are revealed as not truly part of the community. Holding fast to Christ and His revelation is essential for spiritual safety and assurance. [15:11]

1 John 2:18-23 (ESV)
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. 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. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 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. 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. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

Reflection: Is there a teaching or influence in your life that subtly pulls you away from the core truth of who Jesus is? How can you reaffirm your commitment to Christ today?

Day 3: Depend on the Anointing of the Holy Spirit

Every believer in Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit, not just a select few. This anointing is God’s gift to help us discern truth, resist deception, and live out our faith with confidence. The Holy Spirit is our advocate, teacher, and comforter, living within us and empowering us to represent Jesus in the world. Recognizing and depending on this anointing means trusting that God has equipped us for every challenge and that we are never alone in our spiritual journey. [24:31]

John 14:16-17 (ESV)
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power in a specific situation you are facing this week?

Day 4: Deepen Your Abiding—Remain in Christ and His Word

To remain or abide in Christ is not a static state but a deepening relationship, like roots growing deeper into fertile soil. Abiding means continually embracing the apostolic teaching about Jesus, allowing His message to shape us, and experiencing the mutual indwelling of God in us and us in God. This ongoing connection brings assurance of eternal life and spiritual fruitfulness, and it is nurtured by staying close to Christ through His Word and Spirit. [28:45]

1 John 2:24-27 (ESV)
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. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 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.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can deepen your relationship with Jesus this week—such as setting aside time to meditate on His Word or pray more intentionally?

Day 5: Pray the Scripture—Let God’s Word Shape Your Prayer Life

Praying the Scripture is a powerful way to deepen intimacy with God and avoid the dryness or repetition that can come from self-focused prayer. When we pray God’s Word, we listen to Him and allow His truth to guide our hearts, leading to greater spiritual vitality and transformation. Even a few minutes each day spent reading and praying the Bible can make a profound difference, helping us to hear God’s voice and experience renewed strength and joy in our daily walk. [38:13]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Reflection: Will you commit to reading a short passage of Scripture and turning it into a prayer each day this week? What verse will you start with today?

Sermon Summary

The heart of 1 John is a call to abide in God’s love and truth, to let the reality of Jesus Christ shape every part of our lives. John’s passion for truth is not about abstract ideas, but about a living relationship with Jesus, who is the Truth. Truth is both comforting and confronting—it reveals what is right and exposes what is wrong. God calls us to walk in truth, to know it, to live by it, and to become people who are truthful in heart.

John warns that the spirit of the antichrist is not just a future threat, but a present reality. Antichrists are not just singular figures, but many, and they are defined by their denial of Jesus as the Christ and their departure from the community of faith. Throughout history, many have been labeled as antichrists, but John’s focus is on those who distort the identity of Christ and lead others astray. The most dangerous deception is to miss the full revelation of God in Jesus, to lose sight of His oneness with the Father, and to substitute human speculation for the truth of Christ’s incarnation and atoning work.

Yet, God has not left us defenseless. Every believer has received an anointing from the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God within us. This anointing is not reserved for a spiritual elite, but is the birthright of all who confess Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit teaches us, reminds us of Jesus’ words, and empowers us to discern truth from error. We are called to depend on this anointing, to trust that God Himself is guiding us into all truth.

Abiding in Christ is not a static state, but a deepening relationship. To remain in Him is to let His word and Spirit take root in us, to grow in love and knowledge, and to persevere in the apostolic teaching. This abiding is nourished by praying the Scriptures—letting God’s word shape our prayers and our hearts. When we pray the Scriptures, we move beyond empty repetition and begin to hear God’s voice, finding strength, joy, and confidence in His presence. The invitation is simple but profound: arrange your days so that you experience deep contentment and joy with God, making space for His word and Spirit to transform you from the inside out.

Key Takeaways

1. Truth is not merely a set of doctrines, but the person of Jesus Christ. To love the truth is to love Christ Himself, allowing His presence to both comfort and confront us, shaping our hearts to reflect God’s own character. The pursuit of truth requires humility and courage, as it exposes our illusions and calls us to deeper faithfulness. [03:55]
2. The spirit of antichrist is not a distant, future threat, but a present reality that manifests wherever Christ’s identity is denied or distorted. Antichrists are not just outsiders, but can arise from within the community, leading others astray by departing from the apostolic teaching. The greatest danger is to lose sight of the full revelation of God in Christ, substituting human ideas for the truth of the gospel. [14:50]
3. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is the inheritance of every believer, not just a select few. This anointing empowers us to discern truth from error, to withstand deception, and to live out the reality of Christ’s presence. The Spirit’s teaching is always in harmony with the words of Jesus, guiding us into a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. [23:10]
4. Abiding in Christ is a dynamic, deepening process, not a one-time event. To remain in Him is to let His word and Spirit continually shape us, to persevere in the teaching handed down by the apostles, and to grow in love and knowledge. This abiding is marked by mutual indwelling—Christ in us, and us in Christ—resulting in assurance, fruitfulness, and eternal life. [28:00]
5. Praying the Scriptures is a practical way to deepen our abiding in Christ. When we let God’s word guide our prayers, we move beyond self-centered repetition and begin to hear God’s voice, finding renewed strength and intimacy with Him. Arranging our days to make space for Scripture and prayer is not just a discipline, but a pathway to joy, contentment, and transformation in everyday life. [35:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:45] - Introduction: Abiding in God’s Love and Truth
[03:12] - John’s Passion for Truth
[05:05] - Reading 1 John 2:18-27
[06:36] - Three Tremendous Truths
[07:00] - Don’t Be Deceived by the Antichrist
[11:11] - Four Biblical Points about Antichrist
[14:50] - The Principle Denial of Christ
[18:02] - Jesus as the Portal to God
[22:59] - Depend on the Anointing
[26:26] - Every Believer is Anointed
[27:08] - Deepen in Abiding
[30:01] - What It Means to Remain
[35:11] - Praying the Scriptures
[38:49] - Ministry and Prayer for One Another

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Abiding in God’s Love and Truth (1 John 2:18-27)**

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### Bible Reading

**1 John 2:18-27 (ESV)**
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.

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### Observation Questions

According to John, what is the main way to recognize the “antichrists” among the community? ([14:50])
What does John say is the inheritance of every believer in verses 20 and 27? ([23:10])
How does John describe the relationship between the Father and the Son in this passage? ([16:48])
What does John mean when he says “let what you heard from the beginning abide in you”? ([27:08])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does John emphasize that truth is not just a set of doctrines, but the person of Jesus Christ? How does this affect the way we approach truth in our daily lives? ([03:55])
John warns that the spirit of antichrist is not just a future threat, but a present reality. What are some ways this spirit might show up in the church or in our own lives today? ([12:29])
The sermon says that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is not just for a spiritual elite, but for all believers. How does this challenge or encourage your understanding of your own spiritual life? ([26:26])
John talks about “abiding” as a dynamic, deepening process. What does it look like practically to let God’s word and Spirit shape us over time? ([28:00])

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### Application Questions

The sermon says that truth is both comforting and confronting—it reveals what is right and exposes what is wrong. Can you think of a recent time when God’s truth comforted you or confronted you? How did you respond? ([04:15])
John warns that the greatest danger is to lose sight of the full revelation of God in Christ and to substitute human ideas for the truth of the gospel. Are there any “human ideas” or cultural beliefs you’ve noticed creeping into your understanding of Jesus? How can you guard against this? ([14:50])
The pastor said, “We are all anointed. Not only some gifted preachers, anybody who confesses Jesus, Savior and the Lord, you have an anointing of the Holy Spirit.” How does knowing you are anointed by the Holy Spirit change the way you approach your daily life or challenges? ([26:26])
The sermon described abiding in Christ as arranging your days so that you experience deep contentment and joy with God. What is one practical change you could make in your daily or weekly schedule to make more space for God’s word and prayer? ([37:30])
The pastor encouraged praying the Scriptures as a way to deepen our relationship with God. Have you ever tried this? If so, what was your experience? If not, what is one step you could take this week to start? ([35:11])
John says that those who went out from the community “did not really belong to us.” How can we as a group help each other remain rooted in the truth and not drift away? ([13:41])
The sermon mentioned that when we pray the Scriptures, we move beyond empty repetition and begin to hear God’s voice. What is one verse or passage you could use to guide your prayers this week? ([35:11])

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Pray for one another to experience the reality of abiding in Christ this week—through the Spirit’s anointing, through God’s word, and through truth that both comforts and challenges. Ask God to help each person arrange their days to make space for Him.

Sermon Clips

Truth is both beautiful and dangerous. Because it comforts and confronts at the same time. It reveals what is right and exposes what is wrong. Truth matters, ultimately because God is the truth. God not only speaks the truth, he is the truth himself. And because he loves us, he calls us to walk in truth, and to know the truth, to live by truth, and to become people who are truthful in heart. [00:04:15] (36 seconds) #TruthMattersAlways

Let me tell you. Jesus is a God gate for you and me. In Christ, we see God. In Christ, we meet God. In Christ, we talk to God. Hallelujah! [00:18:23] (15 seconds) #ChristologyTransforms

Antichrists are the false Christians who miss the God's greatest revelation, namely the most concrete self-revelation in Jesus Christ. So, if you claim to be a, you know, Christian, and if Christ does not move your heart, let me tell you, your soul is in great danger. Your soul is in great danger. [00:19:49] (24 seconds) #HeartMovedByChrist

If Christ does not move our heart, our soul is in great danger. On the other hand, if Christ is in our heart, we have a power and comfort and wonder that transcend this world and all the false, you know, hopes and the powers. [00:20:56] (19 seconds) #JesusGodGate

So with the Holy Spirit, we can represent Jesus who represented God. You know sometimes some Christians, usually charismatic, say things like this, Oh, such and such a pastor has an anointing of the Holy Spirit. Have you heard that? Oh, he has an anointing. I want us to know. We are all anointed. Not only some gifted preachers, anybody who confess Jesus, Savior and the Lord, you have an anointing of the Holy Spirit. You are anointed by the Holy Spirit. You and I are all anointed by the Holy Spirit by Christ and God. [00:25:47] (41 seconds) #AllAreAnointed

When we receive Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit, the anointing of God, as Jesus did. You know later John tells us this, 1 John 4, 4, The one who is in us is greater than one who is in the world. [00:26:47] (16 seconds) #GreaterInUs

Now, to remain means to deepen in abiding. You know, to remain is not just to stay kind of static. No. When tree remain in the fertile soil, what happens? The roots go down, deepen, and then fruits will come out. Right? When you remain in relationship, it's not like, you know, in marriage or friendship, what happens? You begin to know each other deeper and better. And, you know, your love, you know, grows stronger. [00:29:55] (32 seconds) #DeepenInPrayer

If you do that every day, let me tell you, your life will be different. You come back and tell me. Those of you, you know, read a Bible and then pray the Scripture. Why do I say that? Do you know why you and I are tired? Why do you feel you are tired? Because we are not listening to God. We are listening to ourselves. That's why we are tired. When you read a Scripture and pray to God the Scripture, you're going to begin to hear God. And when you begin to hear God, you'll be different. Amen? [00:38:11] (39 seconds) #DailyBiblePrayer

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