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Who SHOULD we Believe - 1John 4:6
Who SHOULD we Believe - 1John 4:6
In the age of ‘fake news’, it has become difficult to know who to believe. Yes, we must try the spirits, but what is to be the measuring tool? Along with the fake news situation, we also are faced with the popular misconception that all ‘truth’ is relative, that each of us has ‘our own truth’. This puts us into the awful situation of everyman being his own guide. For a quick biblical picture of how that works, read the book of Judges where every man did what was right in his own eyes!
John doesn’t leave us without pointing us to the correct guide. “We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6).
John therefore speaks of ‘the truth some 9 times in this letter! He also writes about what disciples can and should KNOW (mentioned some 40 times by John!).
Yet, John speaks also to the practical side of truth and that is one must not only ‘KNOW’ it, he must practice its teachings. Thus he speaks of keeping His commandments (1John 2:3-4; 5:1-3), and practicing righteousness (1John 2:29). He writes: “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).
Who should we believe? God, as He has revealed himself through the writings of the New Testament apostles and prophets! Such faith however is seen in the living - in the practice – the ‘deed and truth’. Who have you put your trust in?
Hugh DeLong
