The Spirit of Truth and the Practice of Love

(1 John 4:1–21)

Our journey is built upon two foundational pillars—truth and love. These two virtues are inseparable in the life of a believer. One cannot claim to possess the truth and yet fail to love, nor can one claim to love while rejecting the truth of God’s Word. In 1 John 4, the Apostle John addresses these two vital aspects of our walk with Christ: testing the spirits to discern the truth and practicing genuine love as evidence of knowing God.

In a world where falsehoods are dressed as truth and self-centeredness is disguised as love, this passage calls believers to live with discernment and to demonstrate the nature of God through our relationships.

1. Testing the Spirits – Guarding the Truth (1 John 4:1–3)

John begins with a warning: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This is not a suggestion—it’s a command. The early church faced false teachers who denied the humanity of Jesus Christ, claiming that He only appeared to be human. Today, false teachings take many forms, from distorted Bible interpretations to ideologies that water down the gospel.

Testing the spirits means evaluating every teaching, prophecy, or spiritual experience by the standard of God’s Word. The ultimate test, John says, is this: Does it confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? This confession affirms both the divinity and humanity of Christ—truths essential to salvation. If a teaching denies the reality of the incarnation, it is not from God.

For believers, guarding the truth is vital because deception can lead us away from the faith. We are called to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who examined the Scriptures daily to confirm what they heard. Truth matters because it determines our foundation, our direction, and ultimately our destiny.

2. Greater is He Who is in You (1 John 4:4)

John reminds the church of an encouraging reality: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The “He” in us is the Holy Spirit, the presence of God Himself. The “he” in the world refers to Satan, the deceiver.

This verse is a powerful assurance. We are not left to fight deception and spiritual battles in our own strength. The Spirit of God within us is greater than every demonic power, worldly temptation, or false ideology. Victory is possible not because we are strong, but because God’s Spirit is mighty.

As believers, we must live with this confidence—not in arrogance, but in the quiet assurance that the One in us cannot be defeated. This truth should embolden us to stand firm in our faith, even in hostile or compromising environments.

3. Of God vs. Of the World (1 John 4:5–6)

John contrasts two groups: those who are of the world and those who are of God.

Of the world: They speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them. Their values are shaped by cultural trends and human reasoning rather than God’s truth.
Of God: They listen to the message of the apostles—the inspired Word of God.

This distinction is not about background, education, or culture—it’s about spiritual alignment. Those who belong to God receive His truth; those who reject Him gravitate toward messages that please the flesh.

The sign that we are “of God” is our willingness to align our beliefs and actions with Scripture, even when it challenges our comfort or confronts our preferences.

4. Love as Evidence of Knowing God (1 John 4:7–8)

After addressing truth, John moves to the second pillar: love. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Love is not merely a feeling; it is a choice and an action that reflects God’s nature. A lack of love reveals a lack of true relationship with God, no matter how correct our doctrine might be.

In a time when love is often reduced to tolerance or emotional affection, John calls believers to a higher standard—the selfless, sacrificial love that originates from God Himself.

5. God’s Love Demonstrated in Christ (1 John 4:9–10)

God’s love is not abstract; it has been demonstrated in a tangible way: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him… He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Propitiation means that Jesus took upon Himself the penalty for our sins, satisfying the demands of God’s justice and turning away His righteous wrath. This was not because we deserved it, but because God is love.

Understanding this should humble us. We were not lovable by nature; we were sinners. Yet God took the initiative to redeem us.

6. Loving Others as God Loved Us (1 John 4:11–12)

John continues: “If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” God’s love is both the reason and the model for our love toward others. When we love as God loves, His presence is made visible in our communities.

This love goes beyond liking people who are easy to get along with—it extends to forgiving those who wrong us, helping those in need, and showing kindness even to the undeserving. Such love is the mark of mature faith.

7. Assurance Through the Spirit (1 John 4:13–15)

One of the blessings of walking in truth and love is the assurance of God’s presence: “By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” The Holy Spirit affirms in our hearts that we belong to God.

Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God is not just a doctrinal statement; it’s a public declaration of our allegiance to Him. This confession flows from the Spirit’s work in us.

8. Perfect Love Casts Out Fear (1 John 4:16–18)

John declares that “perfect love casts out fear.” This is not about the fear of danger or challenges in life—it is specifically about the fear of judgment. When we understand and accept God’s love in Christ, we no longer live in dread of condemnation.

Instead, we have confidence before God, knowing that our sins are forgiven and we are accepted in the Beloved. Fear shrinks where God’s love reigns.

9. Loving God by Loving Others (1 John 4:19–21)

Finally, John gives a sobering warning: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar.” Our love for God is proven in how we treat people. Love for an invisible God must be demonstrated in visible relationships.

This truth challenges us to examine our hearts. Are there people we harbor resentment toward? Are there relationships we need to mend? God’s command is clear—we must love one another.

Conclusion – Truth and Love in Action

1 John 4 presents a balanced Christian life: hold fast to the truth and live out God’s love. Truth without love becomes cold and harsh; love without truth becomes shallow and compromising. But when truth and love work together, they reflect the very nature of God to the world.

As believers, our calling is to be people who discern truth in a world of deception, and who practice love in a world full of hate and indifference. The Spirit of God within us empowers us to live this way, for greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.

Let us therefore test the spirits, confess the truth about Jesus Christ, abide in God’s love, and demonstrate that love to others. In doing so, we will not only honor God but also become shining lights in a dark world.