1 John 4:6
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:6 (KJV)
Context
The apostle John wrote this first epistle to believers who faced false teachers denying Jesus’ divinity and teachings. He wrote to affirm the true gospel and to equip believers to discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Meaning
“We are of God”: John speaks for the apostles and their associates, who belong to God and are appointed by Jesus to bear witness to the truth. “He that knoweth God heareth us”: those with a genuine relationship with God will listen to and receive the apostles’ testimony. “He that is not of God heareth not us”: those not aligned with God reject that testimony. “Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error”: one’s response to apostolic teaching reveals the source of a teaching—whether it comes from the Spirit of truth or from the spirit of error.
The “spirit of error” is also translated as “spirit of deception” or “spirit of deceit,” emphasizing that false teaching actively misleads. The test is not about judging individuals’ salvation but about discerning the origin of teachings: does a message align with and submit to the apostolic gospel?
Biblical connections
This verse concludes a passage warning against false prophets and urging believers to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). The preceding verse contrasts the world’s listening to false prophets with believers’ listening to the apostles (1 John 4:5). The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, guides believers into all truth (John 16:13), enabling them to recognize what agrees with apostolic teaching.
Application
Study the Scriptures: Develop a habit of studying and meditating on God’s Word to deepen your understanding and discernment.
Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance: Cultivate a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer, asking Him to help you discern truth from error.
Test teachings against apostolic truth: Be vigilant about false teachings; compare everything to the apostles’ doctrine preserved in Scripture.
Embrace sound doctrine: Hold fast to the teachings of the apostles and sound doctrine that aligns with God’s Word, letting it shape your beliefs and actions.
Reflection
Genuine knowledge of God creates a receptivity to the truth He has delivered through His messengers. As you grow in discernment, may your heart remain aligned with God, so that you recognize the Spirit of truth and reject the spirit of error.
