1 John 4:5-6
4:5 a The world’s viewpoint is one of systematic evil, opposed to God (2:15-17 b).4:6 c John tests the reality of a person’s Christianity by whether they listen to and agree with the teachings of the apostles.
• The Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit (John 14:17 d, 26 e; 15:26 f; 16:13-15 g), who teaches the truth about Christ (1 Jn 2:20 h, 27 i).
• False prophets have the spirit of deception, the spirit of antichrist, which leads people away from Christ (see study note on 2:22). Therefore, union with the historic body of Christ and the consensus of teaching that began with the apostles is a sign of fidelity to Christ’s work in the world.
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