1 John 4:3

“And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

Context:First, let’s understand the context of 1 John. The book of 1 John was written by the apostle John to a group of believers to address issues within the early Christian community, including false teachings and the need for discernment.

Understanding the verse:

• “Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God”:This verse emphasizes the importance of confessing the true nature of Jesus Christ. John is addressing false teachers who denied that Jesus came in the flesh, suggesting that they were not inspired by the Holy Spirit.
• “Spirit of antichrist”:The term “antichrist” refers to those who oppose or counterfeit Christ. John warns the believers that this spirit of antichrist was already present in the world during their time.
• “Whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world”:John reminds his readers that they were forewarned about the spirit of antichrist. This implies that the existence of false teachings and false teachers denying Jesus’ incarnation was predicted, and it had already begun to manifest during their time.
• Theological insights:
• Confessing Jesus as the incarnate Son of God:The central message of this verse is the affirmation of Jesus Christ’s true nature as the Son of God who came in the flesh. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that Jesus is both fully God and fully man (John 1:14).
• The reality of false teachings:John acknowledges the presence of false teachers and their influence on the early Christian community. This warns us that even today, there may be ideologies or teachings that distort the truth about Jesus Christ. We need to exercise discernment and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

• The significance of Jesus’ incarnation:John’s emphasis on Jesus coming in the flesh highlights the importance of the incarnation. Through His incarnation, Jesus entered into human history, identifying with humanity, and providing the means for our salvation. It affirms the reality of His sacrificial death and resurrection, which are foundational to the Christian faith.

Application:

• Hold fast to the truth about Jesus:As believers, it is crucial to hold firmly to the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came in the flesh. This truth forms the foundation of our faith and should not be compromised.
• Be discerning:We should be vigilant and discerning when it comes to different teachings or ideologies that claim to represent Christ. Compare them with the teachings of the Bible and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
• Share the truth:In a world where false teachings may abound, we have a responsibility to share the truth about Jesus Christ. Through our words and actions, we can testify to the reality of His incarnation and the significance of His work on the cross.

Remember, studying the Bible in its entirety helps to deepen our understanding of God’s Word and its overall message of salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ.