“They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 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 4:5
How do you differentiate between good and evil? Those belonging to the camp of Jesus and those belonging to the ruler of this world? In the same way, you can differentiate between good and bad; that’s how you can differentiate between those who belong to God and those who belong to the world. This division is so clear for all to see. It is revealed through what we say, how we think, and who we listen to.
John tells us that this is one of the ways to discern where people stand: Who do they listen to? What kind of message excites their hearts? Do they gravitate toward truth or toward sweet-sounding lies? Those who are of the world naturally speak and act in ways that align with worldly values. They chase after power, pleasure, and self-interest, and the world eagerly listens to them. The world’s system promotes voices that echo its desires. It celebrates messages that feed pride, selfishness, and rebellion against God.
But as believers, we are of God. Those who truly know God will listen to His truth, and live in His truth no matter how unpopular or uncomfortable it may sound. The Word of God is our compass, and we are called to walk by the spirit of truth, not the spirit of this world.
Charge: Let us remain sensitive to God’s voice. Let us not allow worldly ideas to creep into our hearts.
Further Study: John 10:27, 15:18-19, 17:14: Galatians 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17.
Remain in the Word.
