July 27 - 1 John 4:4-6

I have been reading through 1 John, and I wanted to share this morning's verses.

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." 1 John 4:4-6, NIV

John is talking about recognizing people who have allowed evil spirits, or the spirit of the antichrist to influence their lives and thinking. Basically, anyone who isn't saved by Jesus Christ, or who rejects Jesus' message.

We who have God have overcome the evil false prophets/teachers who were inspired by evil spirits, or the spirit of the antichrist. God lives in us by His Holy Spirit and helps us discern. God, who is in us, is greater than those who are in the world. He has conquered them.
Those who are from the world, speak the viewpoints of the world. Everything holds two philosophies or worldviews: either godly, or worldly. The world will listen to the worldly viewpoints and accept them.

Vs 6) "We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us."

This is talking about Christian worldviews. As a Christians, our philosphy should be different than the world's. We approach situations in light of what the Bible says instead of just our own feelings and emotions, or even popular opinion, as the world approaches most issues.

Take work eithics for example. Hopefully as a Christian, we desire to be honest hard workers because the Bible says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Col. 3:23. If we believe this verse and apply it to our lives, our attitude at work will probably look different from non-Christians who want to get as far as they can by doing the least amount.

Another major backward worldview, is family and the roles of members in it. Take wives and husbands for example. Most wives and husbands shudder at the word "submit." Women don't like it because it makes them feel less or second class, and men don't like it because it gives them responsibility. Who wants that? When we look at the Bible to consider what our Biblical worldview should be, it's pretty clear! "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is thehead of the church. [...] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." Eph. 5:22-24. These verses don't leave much room for feminism or passive husbands, which is so prevelant in our society. Husbands are not to give up their role as leader. That would be disobedient to God. And wome are to help their husbands lead by following them!

Back to 1 John 4:6
"We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."

What worldviews do you encounter throughout your day, that are completely against what our Christian worldview is/should be, as it is based on Scripture? Let me know!