1 John 4:1-4 The Key to Spotting the Fakes

Back in John's day, figuring out who was a real teacher in the Christian crowd was a bit simpler. Think about it: no fancy church buildings, just folks meeting up in homes, courtyards, or down at the public square. If someone wanted to teach or share, they had to actually show up, stand up, and put in the work right there in front of everyone.

But even then, some bad apples snuck in. They weren't just a little off; they were trying to pull people away from the core truth: that Jesus was a real, flesh-and-blood person. Instead, they spun crazy tales about him just being some spirit, a ghost that looked human. John, though, gave his crew a simple, no-nonsense test to tell the real deal from the snake oil salesmen: What do they say about Jesus? That was the litmus test.

Fast forward to today, and sorting out the true teachers from the frauds is a whole lot harder. Why? Because there are just so many of 'em! You can flip through YouTube, scroll through social media feeds, tune into radio programs, or pick up a book – and suddenly you've got hundreds, even thousands, of "Bible teachers" pouring into your ears and your mind. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack, figuring out who's actually telling the truth and who's just slinging lies.

But here's the good news: John's straightforward test is still the best tool in your toolbox. Want to learn how to use it? Let's take a deep dive into 1 John 4:1-4.

Before we dig in, take a few minutes to read 1 John 4:1-4 on your own. Grab your Bible and read it in at least two different translations. We suggest choosing two from this list: NIV, ESV, NLT, NKJV, NASB. This will help you get a better feel for the passage before we break it down together.

Setting the Scene: 1 John 4:1-4

In his letter, 1 John 4:1-6, the apostle John lays it out plain and simple: you've got to be smart about who you listen to. Back in his day, just like today, there were folks running around claiming to speak for God, but they were actually pushing ideas that messed with the heart of what Christians believe.

These weren't just folks who got it a little wrong; they were actively trying to pull people away from the real deal. Lots of people claimed to have God's ear, and without a clear way to check them out, it was easy to get led down the wrong path. Some even thought Jesus wasn't a real man, just some kind of spirit. But John and the other guys who walked with Jesus knew better. They saw him, touched him, ate with him – he was flesh and blood. Denying that was a direct hit at everything Jesus came to do.

So, when John tells us to "test the spirits," he's not just giving a friendly suggestion. He's saying, "Look, your spiritual life depends on this!" It wasn't about what felt good or what you preferred; it was about holding what was taught up against the solid truth of Jesus Christ.

The main test, John says, is pretty straightforward: if someone confesses that Jesus Christ came to earth as a real human being, that spirit is from God. This might seem like a small thing, but it was a huge dividing line. If you denied that Jesus was truly human, you were denying the very way God connected with us and saved us.

Rabbit Trail 1: What Was So "Crazy" About These Ideas?

Okay, so John tells us to test folks by what they believe about Jesus being a real man. But why was that such a big deal back then? To us, it might sound like a no-brainer – of course, Jesus was a real guy! But imagine this:

In John's day, there were some slick talkers pushing ideas that were totally off the rails. The big one that John was wrestling with was something called Docetism (don't worry about the fancy name, just the idea). Think of it like this: these guys believed that anything physical or material was bad, evil, or at least just plain crummy. Only "spirit" was truly good and from God.

Now, if you believe that, how can God, who is perfectly good and pure spirit, actually get mixed up in a messy, "evil" human body? Their answer was, "He didn't!" They taught that Jesus only seemed to be human. He was like a hologram, or an actor playing a part. He just appeared to eat, sleep, bleed, and suffer. It was all a grand illusion.

Why did this matter so much?

• It undercut the whole plan: If Jesus wasn't really human, then he didn't truly suffer and die on the cross. And if he didn't really die, then there's no real sacrifice for our sins. It makes the entire story of salvation a cheap trick, a theatrical play instead of a gritty, life-and-death rescue mission.

  
  

• It created an "elite" club: These Docetists often claimed they had "secret knowledge" (that's what "gnosis" means, by the way) that others didn't. They were the "enlightened" ones who understood the "true" spiritual reality, while the average Joe was stuck believing in a physical Jesus. John was having none of that. God's truth isn't some hidden password for a select few; it's for everyone.

  
  

• It messed with God's character: If God couldn't (or wouldn't) become fully human, it painted a picture of a distant, uncaring God who wouldn't get His hands dirty with humanity. But the whole point of Jesus coming "in the flesh" was God showing up, getting right into our mess, and doing the heavy lifting Himself.

  
  

So, when John laid out that simple test – "Does this teacher say Jesus Christ came in the flesh?" – it wasn't just a theological squabble. It was about protecting the core truth of the gospel and making sure people weren't led astray by fancy words and "secret knowledge" that ultimately left them without a real Savior. John wanted his readers to understand that Jesus was no ghost, no illusion. He was the real deal, God with skin on. And knowing that made all the difference.

There's more to this STUDY GUIDE

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FURTHER FOR:

• Questions to chew on and discuss (or for your journal)

• A Journey Group Discussion Starter (use in your small group time)

• Modern Day Application Ideas

Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!

Questions for You to Chew On and Discuss

• John says if someone believes Jesus was a real man, they're from God. Why is believing Jesus was truly human still a big deal today?

  
  

• With all the different ideas out there, how can we "test" what we hear and read every day? What happens if we don't?

  
  

• John talks about being "from God" or "from the world." How does living God's way help us tell truth from lies, and what does that look like?

Journey Group Discussion Starter

Think about a time you heard or read something spiritual that sounded good at first, but when you really looked into it, it didn't line up with what the Bible teaches. How did you figure out the truth, and what did you learn from that experience?

Want to learn more about our Journey Groups (Small Groups online or in person)

Modern-Day Application:

The stuff in 1 John 4:1-6 isn't just old-timey talk; it's exactly what you need to hear today.

• Discernment is for Every Christian, Not Just the "Gifted" Ones: You don't need some special superpower to figure things out. John makes it clear that all of us need to be smart about what we hear. That means actually digging into the Bible yourself, not just letting others tell you what to believe. Knowing the real story of Jesus, straight from the Gospels, is your best defense against fake ideas.

  
  

• Jesus Being Human is Still the Main Thing: A lot of folks today try to make Jesus out to be just a good dude, a wise teacher, or some kind of good vibe. But John hammers home that Jesus "came in the flesh." Our faith isn't based on some fuzzy idea; it's rooted in the real historical fact that Jesus lived, died, and rose again as a man. If anyone tries to play down the fact that Jesus was truly human, that should make you suspicious.

  
  

• Watch Out for "Worldly Wisdom": John warns that false teachers talk "from the world," and the world eats it up. That's a strong warning not to just accept ideas because they're popular or because everyone else is going along with them, especially if they go against what the Bible says.

  
  

• God's Spirit is Your Secret Weapon: John promises us that "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). That means the Holy Spirit living inside you gives you the power to spot the truth and reject the lies. So, spend time with God, pray, and listen to what His Word says.

  
  

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN

Don't be a spiritual couch potato, just soaking up whatever gets thrown your way! Get plugged into a group and learn to strengthen your ability to discern. You don't want to be the one bringing the "mystery meat" casserole of spiritual ideas to the potluck, do you? Learn more about Journey Groups, get connected in one, or learn more about starting one at https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.

Check out the Saturday Email and discover why I think EVERY CHRISTIAN should know how to fish... for fish! 👉🏻 https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/so/05PV-O1UA?languageTag=en

Get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox 👉🏻 https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604

Go to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about Journey Groups, get connected in one, or even learn how to start your own. It's like a spiritual potluck, but instead of questionable casseroles, we share insights and grow closer to God. See you there!

You can also get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604.

To learn more about YJJ, Thad and Kaila, and Your Jesus Journey, check out our ABOUT US section: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/learn-about-thad-and-kaila-and-the-journey-church-online.

There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at www.YourJesusJourney.com!

EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE

From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇

For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!

As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.

Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.

There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.

We've journeyed through the Bible, verse by verse, for over 15 books now! We take each passage and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks of plain English. Along the way, we uncover fascinating historical details and explore the cultural context, truly bringing the scriptures to life in a way that resonates. Forget dusty footnotes and words that send you reaching for a thesaurus – we make God's Word approachable and meaningful for everyone. And because we know you're eager to dig even deeper, make sure to subscribe to the Daily Bible Podcast and catch the video podcast each day that complements these blogs!