Discerning Truth: The Importance of Testing Teachings
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the importance of discerning truth from falsehood, especially within the context of spiritual teachings. We began by reflecting on the beautiful verse from 1 John 4:18, which speaks about perfect love driving out fear. This verse sets the stage for understanding the necessity of love and truth in our spiritual lives. We then moved into 1 John 4:1-6, where John warns us to test the spirits to see if they are from God, as many false prophets have gone out into the world. This passage emphasizes the need to question and discern the teachings we receive, even from church leaders, to ensure they align with God's truth.
We explored three key truths from this passage. First, where there is false teaching, there will be false living. False teachings lead to a life that does not reflect God's truth and can create a spirit of division, arrogance, and pride within the church. Second, false teaching leads to false security. We may feel secure in our beliefs, but without the truth of Jesus, this security is an illusion. True security comes only through acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord. Lastly, false teaching results in false power. True power comes from God, who is greater than the one in the world. We are called to be overcomers, not just participants or victims in life.
We also discussed practical ways to identify false teachings. Knowing God's voice through regular engagement with Scripture and questioning the source of the power behind teachings are crucial. If a teaching calls us to something beyond our natural abilities, it is likely from God, as He often calls us to rely on His supernatural power.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Necessity of Testing Spiritual Teachings: John urges us to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God. This involves questioning the teachings we receive, even from church leaders, to ensure they align with Scripture. A church where questioning is discouraged may harbor false teachings. True spiritual growth involves active engagement and discernment. [04:08]
2. False Teaching Leads to False Living: False teachings inevitably result in a life that does not reflect God's truth. This can manifest as a spirit of division, arrogance, or pride within the church. We must be vigilant in identifying and rejecting false teachings to live a life that honors God. [06:42]
3. True Security Comes Only Through Jesus: False teachings can give us a false sense of security. True security is found only in acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord. Without this acknowledgment, any sense of security we have is an illusion. We must see ourselves and Jesus clearly to have true security. [14:45]
4. The Power of God Within Us: True power comes from God, who is greater than the one in the world. As believers, we have God's Spirit within us, enabling us to overcome the world. This divine power calls us to live beyond our natural abilities, relying on God's strength. [19:13]
5. Identifying False Teachings: To spot false teachings, we must know God's voice and question the power source behind the teachings. If a teaching calls us to something beyond our natural abilities, it is likely from God. Regular engagement with Scripture helps us discern God's voice and truth. [28:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - Introduction and 1 John 4:18
[02:43] - Testing the Spirits
[04:08] - Importance of Questioning Leadership
[05:22] - False Teaching Leads to False Living
[06:42] - Identifying False Spirits in the Church
[08:16] - The Impact of False Teaching on Lives
[09:51] - Characteristics of False Teachers
[11:30] - False Teachers in Modern Context
[13:06] - Comparing Teachings with God's Word
[14:45] - False Teaching Leads to False Security
[16:05] - Personal Story: False Security
[17:40] - Seeing Ourselves and Jesus Clearly
[19:13] - False Teaching Leads to False Power
[20:40] - Are You an Overcomer?
[22:24] - The Power of God Within Us
[24:02] - The Danger of Believing Lies
[25:17] - Examples of Misleading Quotes
[26:55] - Be Careful What You Believe
[28:27] - How to Spot False Teachings
[30:05] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- 1 John 4:1-6
- 1 John 4:18
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 4:1, what are believers instructed to do with the spirits? Why is this important? [02:43]
2. What does 1 John 4:2-3 say about recognizing the Spirit of God versus the spirit of the Antichrist? [02:43]
3. How does 1 John 4:4 describe the relationship between believers and the world? What assurance does it give? [19:13]
4. What does 1 John 4:18 say about the relationship between love and fear? How does this verse set the stage for the sermon’s message? [01:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to test the spirits and question the teachings we receive, even from church leaders? How does this practice contribute to spiritual growth? [04:08]
2. How can false teachings lead to false living, and what are some signs of this within a church community? [06:42]
3. What does it mean to have true security in Jesus, and how can false teachings create a false sense of security? [14:45]
4. How does recognizing the power of God within us help believers overcome the world? What does it mean to live beyond our natural abilities through God’s strength? [19:13]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you questioned a teaching or a leader in your church. How did this experience impact your faith and understanding of God’s truth? [04:08]
2. Have you ever felt a spirit of division, arrogance, or pride within a church community? How did you respond, and what steps can you take to address such issues in the future? [06:42]
3. In what ways have you experienced false security in your spiritual life? How can you ensure that your security is rooted in acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord? [14:45]
4. Think about a situation where you relied on God’s strength to overcome a challenge. How did this experience shape your understanding of God’s power within you? [19:13]
5. How can you regularly engage with Scripture to better discern God’s voice and identify false teachings? What specific steps will you take this week to deepen your scriptural engagement? [28:27]
6. Identify a teaching or belief that you have recently encountered. How can you test its validity against the truth of Scripture and the power source behind it? [28:27]
7. Consider the different roles mentioned in the sermon: participant, victim, survivor, and overcomer. Which role do you most identify with, and how can you move towards being an overcomer through God’s power? [22:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Necessity of Testing Spiritual Teachings
In 1 John 4:1-6, John emphasizes the importance of testing the spirits to discern whether they are from God. This involves questioning the teachings we receive, even from church leaders, to ensure they align with Scripture. A church where questioning is discouraged may harbor false teachings. True spiritual growth involves active engagement and discernment. By regularly engaging with Scripture and seeking God's guidance, we can develop the ability to discern truth from falsehood. This practice not only protects us from deception but also strengthens our faith and understanding of God's word. [04:08]
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (ESV): "But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
Reflection: Think of a recent teaching or sermon you heard. How can you actively engage with Scripture to test its validity and ensure it aligns with God's truth?
Day 2: False Teaching Leads to False Living
False teachings inevitably result in a life that does not reflect God's truth. This can manifest as a spirit of division, arrogance, or pride within the church. We must be vigilant in identifying and rejecting false teachings to live a life that honors God. When we allow false teachings to take root, they can lead us away from the path of righteousness and create discord within our communities. By staying grounded in Scripture and seeking God's wisdom, we can avoid the pitfalls of false teachings and live in a way that glorifies Him. [06:42]
2 Peter 2:1-2 (ESV): "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed."
Reflection: Reflect on your own life and community. Are there any signs of division, arrogance, or pride that may be rooted in false teachings? How can you address these issues with God's truth?
Day 3: True Security Comes Only Through Jesus
False teachings can give us a false sense of security. True security is found only in acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord. Without this acknowledgment, any sense of security we have is an illusion. We must see ourselves and Jesus clearly to have true security. This involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus and a commitment to following His teachings. By placing our trust in Him, we can experience the peace and security that comes from knowing we are in His care. [14:45]
Colossians 2:8-10 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: Consider areas in your life where you may be relying on false security. How can you shift your focus to find true security in Jesus Christ?
Day 4: The Power of God Within Us
True power comes from God, who is greater than the one in the world. As believers, we have God's Spirit within us, enabling us to overcome the world. This divine power calls us to live beyond our natural abilities, relying on God's strength. By recognizing and embracing the power of God within us, we can face challenges with confidence and fulfill the purposes He has for our lives. This power is not for our own glory but for the advancement of God's kingdom and the demonstration of His love and grace to the world. [19:13]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Identify a challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on God's power within you to overcome this challenge and bring glory to Him?
Day 5: Identifying False Teachings
To spot false teachings, we must know God's voice and question the power source behind the teachings. If a teaching calls us to something beyond our natural abilities, it is likely from God. Regular engagement with Scripture helps us discern God's voice and truth. By immersing ourselves in God's word and seeking His guidance, we can develop the discernment needed to identify and reject false teachings. This practice not only protects us from deception but also deepens our relationship with God and strengthens our faith. [28:27]
Hebrews 5:14 (ESV): "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: Think about a recent teaching or belief you have encountered. How can you use Scripture and prayer to discern whether it aligns with God's truth?
Quotes
1. "John is saying it's important to question your teachers. It's important to question the leadership from which you are getting the lessons from. And so, in fact, John is saying if you cannot question the leadership from whom is teaching you, then you are, in fact, not loving God. But if you can question the leadership, and if you do question the leadership, this is a sign, this is proof that you love God." [04:08] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Don't ever stay at a church where you can't question the leadership. Because in my experience, leaders who can never be questioned end up usually doing questionable things. And here's what else happens. What happens is if you get it in your mind, oh, I can't question leadership. I can't question the pastor. He's the pastor. I can't question what he says. I can't question what he does. Listen, you start thinking that that works both ways." [05:22] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "False teachers work towards political purposes to benefit themselves. True teachers work towards spiritual purposes to serve God and love people. If you ever are exposed to someone and you're like, I don't know, man. It just seems like what they're saying is serving them more than it's serving God. There's a reason you felt that, you need to listen to that." [09:51] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "False teachers strive for positions of great wealth and supremacy. True teachers serve others in humility and often invisibly. They do things for other people without anybody knowing it. False teachers speak only false messages. They don't have the truth, and if you don't have the truth, you can't speak the truth. So what you speak is false. True teachers can only speak true messages. Because they have the truth. And when you have the truth, the only thing you can speak is the truth." [09:51] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Only through Jesus can we have true security, like real security. We can feel secure apart from Jesus, and we actually aren't secure. You see what I'm saying? I know I've shared this story before, but I want to share it again because I think it fits for this conversation. Analogy. I was on a mission trip one time in Jamaica, and we had the opportunity to go snorkeling." [16:05] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The only true security we can have is through Christ, when we see Him and ourselves clearly. The third truth that we see in this passage is that where there is false teaching, there will be false power. False power. Look at verse 4. You, dear children, are from God, and you have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Man, that ought to be your verse of the day. Just go home. And think about that. Greater is the one in you than he who is in the world." [19:13] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Which one of these do you feel like most often in life? The participant, the victim, the survivor, or the overcomer? Just think about that. In your life, do you feel most like a participant, like you're just going with the flow, man? You're just there. Your whole life is like five o'clock traffic, and you're in it, right? You're kind of just following along at the same pace. You're using your blinker to change lanes. You're not rocking the boat. You're letting people in with the zipper method. You're just there, okay?" [20:40] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Similarly, because social media for us, that is the currency we trade in these days. Please be careful what you follow. Please be careful what you believe. Please be careful what you allow in to shape you and change you. Look, I get it. Those little 20-second clips are fantastic. Like, they're really good. I've watched some, and they've taken me from being indifferent to weeping in 20 seconds. Like, they're good, okay? But please be careful. Do your research. Know who's saying what is saying what they're saying." [24:02] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Know God's voice. You got to know what God's voice sounds like. And the only way you can know what his voice sounds like is to be in proximity to his voice. Reading what he said, interacting, listening through the spirit of what God sounds like. Then when you hear something that is not God's voice, you can say, I don't recognize that. Didn't Jesus say, my sheep know my voice and they follow me? Know God's voice. We got to know what he sounds like. And the best way to do that is to read what he says, because you pick up on his voice, his heart, his tone." [28:27] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If ever anyone is asking you to think, believe, or do anything that you think you have the ability to do on your own, chances are that's not from God. If they're calling you to think, believe, or do something that you're like, I think I can do that. I think I have it within myself to do that. Chances are high that's not from God. But if anybody's ever asking you to think, believe, or even do something that makes you code brown in your britches a little bit, you know what I'm saying? And you're like, I can't, you're crazy. There's nothing in me. I do not have that within me to do that. That would require supernatural divine something. That's a pretty good sign that that's from God." [28:27] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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