1 John 2-- Those Who Are Trying to Lead You Astray

Scripture: 1 John 2

It's always nice when the writer of an ancient text, like a Bible epistle, states his reason for writing. It takes away some of the interpretive work, work which could cause anxiety since we grew up taking standardized tests that asked, "Which of the following best summarizes the author's reason for writing this?" (For some reason, there was always either 0 or 2 answers that felt right.)

Fortunately, John does this for us in 1 John. The less fortunate thing is, he does it a bunch of times and thus gives us many different reasons.



One of these occurs in chapter 2, and more or less gives us the reason for that chapter:

"I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray" (2:26). 

This might help clarify some of the intensity of the rest of the chapter; he's not only addressing his readers' faith ("I write this to you so that you will not sin", 2:1), but giving a rubric to evaluate those who would try to influence them. In fact, he's confident in his readers: "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you" (2:27).

So, how were they to distinguish teachers from false teachers? First and foremost, their message ("Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ", 2:22). If that is inconclusive, look to the person's lifestyle: 

• Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar (2:4)
• Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did (2:6)
• Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness (2:9)
• If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them (2:15)

The reason that this 'test' works is because of the glorious truth that we are powerless to live truly loving, holy lives without Him. As the chapter says in closing--

"If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of Him" (2:29).