SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4:1-6

OBSERVATION:
How do we discern truth from error? John says to look at how the message sees Jesus. If it denies Jesus as the incarnation of divinity in human flesh, then the message is rooted in another spirit. It may contain wisdom and half-truth, but at its core it is misleading. John calls for discernment, to listen carefully to what is being taught, and not to assume that just because it is taught by a church member or leader, that its true. At that time there were teachings that mirrored the message of Jesus, and even affirmed Jesus, but were misleading (gnosticism, gnosis means ‘to know’). Its basic message was that humans were divine souls trapped in a material world, that body life was bad or indifferent (some said “do what you want, it doesn’t matter, others denied marriage, sex, pleasure, etc.”). These teachers sounded like Christ-followers, but their message was prideful (I know something you don’t, I am above sin) and unloving (you are weaker, lesser, uninformed, how I treat you doesn’t matter, afterall, that’s just worldly).

APPLICATION:
This passage reminds me to pay careful attention to the messages taught within the church, to not assume that all “christian” teaching is true – including my own. It always need to be tested. What is the spirit behind my message? How do I present Jesus? Does my message promote loving, selfless behaviour? All of us will tend to err in either legalistic or liberal ways (there are 2 slippery slopes), and so we must continually “reform” or “renew” our thinking based on the message and person of Jesus. What are some of the misleading message infiltrating the church today: self-help, positive thinking, legalism, old covenant practices, pharisaism, Jesus as my buddy, cheap grace, loss of respect for God, traditionalism… the list could go on. The critical question for me is – where am I slipping from the message and practice of Jesus?

PRAYER:
Lord, looking back over my 15 years as a minister, I can see how I have changed, and how I have swayed in my thinking and teaching in differing ways. You are my anchor, the true test of ‘orthodoxy’ and ‘orthopraxy’. Help me grow in truth and love! Amen.