1st John 4:1-6
John, in all probability is dealing with a live issue when he writes in this letter. It is the question of discernment. Discernment of the true spirit of God was important because the age in which John lived was an age when people believed they were truly surrounded by all sorts of spirits. Remember also the competing philosophies and cults all claimed some kind of spiritual basis so it was a bit frenetic, definitely confusing.
The Christians to whom John was writing were 2nd or 3rd. generation Christians and something of the immediate dynamic of the church had dissipated. They were world weary in that every cult, dynamic wandering preacher or religion was claiming to know the truth. John states they must believe in the Incarnation to begin to be true but if not then they are false prophets and the people must be wary.
The Church must always be aware of false or heretical teaching.
John, in all probability is dealing with a live issue when he writes in this letter. It is the question of discernment. Discernment of the true spirit of God was important because the age in which John lived was an age when people believed they were truly surrounded by all sorts of spirits. Remember also the competing philosophies and cults all claimed some kind of spiritual basis so it was a bit frenetic, definitely confusing.
The Christians to whom John was writing were 2nd or 3rd. generation Christians and something of the immediate dynamic of the church had dissipated. They were world weary in that every cult, dynamic wandering preacher or religion was claiming to know the truth. John states they must believe in the Incarnation to begin to be true but if not then they are false prophets and the people must be wary.
The Church must always be aware of false or heretical teaching.