The fourth chapter of John’s First Epistle shines as a beacon of clarity and comfort in a world often clouded by confusion and fear. Written by the Apostle John around 85-95 AD, 1 John 4 calls believers to discern truth from deception, to dwell in God’s perfect love, and to reflect that love in their relationships with others. For readers in 2025—whether Christians navigating a landscape of ideological battles or non-Christians seeking meaning amidst uncertainty—this chapter offers a profound guide to living with discernment, love, and assurance. It resonates deeply with Jesus’ teachings and His prayer for all believers, providing timeless wisdom and practical insights for confronting the challenges of our complex, modern world.
Seeking Truth and Love in a Divided World
In April 2025, truth feels increasingly elusive. Misinformation spreads like wildfire across digital platforms, ideological echo chambers deepen societal divisions, and fear—about the future, about others, about ourselves—tightens its grip on hearts. Christians face the daunting task of holding fast to their faith in a culture that often dismisses or distorts it, while non-Christians search for something solid to stand on amidst the shifting sands of society. Into this fray, 1 John 4 speaks with both urgency and tenderness: test the spirits, abide in God’s love, and let that love cast out fear. This isn’t merely ancient advice—it’s a lifeline, a way to navigate the noise and anchor ourselves in the Reality of God, embodied in Jesus Christ.
John’s message hinges on two foundational pillars: discernment and love. In a world awash with competing voices, he urges us to test what we hear against the truth of Jesus, who declared,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV).
And in an age where love is often reduced to shallow sentiment or self-interest, John reminds us that God’s love—demonstrated in Christ’s sacrifice—is both the model and the source for how we should love others. As we unpack 1 John 4, we’ll explore its depths section by section, drawing out its wisdom for living with clarity and compassion in 2025. This reflection will weave together scriptural insights with contemporary relevance, offering guidance for believers and seekers alike as we confront spiritual deception, personal fears, and relational challenges with the transformative power of divine love.
Testing the Spirits: Discerning Truth from Deception (1 John 4:1-6, NKJV)
John begins with a sobering command:
“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. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 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. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:1-6, NKJV).
In a world overflowing with voices—social media influencers, thought leaders, spiritual gurus—John’s call to “test the spirits” is more relevant than ever. The Greek word for “test” here, dokimazō, means to examine or prove, much like a jeweler inspects a gem to verify its authenticity. John provides a clear litmus test: does the spirit or teaching confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? This confession isn’t just a verbal statement—it’s an acknowledgment of Jesus’ incarnation, His dual nature as fully God and fully man, which lies at the heart of the gospel message.
For John’s original audience, this test addressed the rise of Gnostic-like heresies that denied Jesus’ physical humanity, claiming He was a spirit or phantom. Today, the challenge persists in subtler forms. Some ideologies reduce Jesus to a mere moral teacher, stripping Him of His divinity, while others dismiss His bodily resurrection as myth, undermining His humanity. John labels such distortions as the “spirit of the Antichrist”—forces that oppose Christ’s true identity and mission. Yet, he offers reassurance: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers believers to discern and overcome these deceptions, a truth echoed in Paul’s warning about spiritual warfare:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV).
In 2025, the need for discernment is acute. Misinformation floods our feeds—deepfakes blur reality, biased algorithms amplify division, and echo chambers reinforce half-truths. False teachings abound, from cults that twist Scripture to secular ideologies like relativism (“truth is subjective”) or materialism (“only what’s seen matters”). These “spirits” deny Jesus as the Way and the Truth, offering counterfeit paths to meaning. Christians must recognize these as spiritual forces seeking to blind humanity to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4, NKJV).
For non-Christians, John’s call to test the spirits aligns with a universal need: critical thinking in an age of deception. Whether it’s questioning a viral conspiracy or a slick advertisement, the principle holds—don’t accept everything at face value. John’s standard, rooted in Jesus, offers believers a firm anchor; for others, it’s a prompt to seek a reliable measure of truth.
How do we test the spirits today? Start with Scripture—does a teaching align with the Bible’s revelation of Jesus? Cross-check with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit for wisdom (James 1:5, NKJV). In daily life, it means pausing before retweeting a claim, researching a speaker’s beliefs, or evaluating a philosophy against Christ’s life. It’s not paranoia—it’s prudence, guarding our minds against deception in a world where truth is often sacrificed for clicks.
God’s Love and Our Love: The Heart of the Gospel (1 John 4:7-12, NKJV)
John then shifts to the theme of 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. 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. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (1 John 4:7-12, NKJV).
Here, John unveils a profound truth: “God is love.” This isn’t a vague platitude—it’s a defining attribute of God’s nature, demonstrated concretely in Jesus’ sacrificial death. The Greek word for “propitiation,” hilasmos, refers to an atoning sacrifice that satisfies God’s justice, highlighting the depth and costliness of this love. God’s love isn’t a response to our merit; it’s an initiating act, freely given to reconcile us to Him.
John ties love to relationship: knowing God means loving others. The phrase “born of God” points to regeneration—a transformation that enables us to reflect divine love. Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of this love, sent “that we might live through Him.” Our love for one another isn’t just a moral obligation; it’s evidence of God’s presence in us, a theme Jesus Himself taught:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34, NKJV).
In 2025, love is often misunderstood. Social media reduces it to likes and shares—a transactional game of validation. Division festers—political tribes, cancel culture, hate speech—while authentic connection wanes. John’s words cut through this noise: true love is selfless, rooted in God’s nature, not human whims. For Christians, this challenges us to love beyond convenience—forgiving betrayals, serving the underserved, speaking truth with grace. It’s a call to embody Jesus, the Life, who loved even His enemies.
Non-Christians might see a universal longing here: to love and be loved authentically. The world craves something deeper than performative affection—John points to a love that mirrors divine Reality. Imagine a society where love isn’t a hashtag but a habit—this is the vision John casts.
Living this love means intentional acts: listening to a hurting friend, volunteering at a shelter, or bridging a family divide. It’s choosing empathy over outrage, generosity over greed. For Christians, it’s a witness—our love makes the invisible God visible. For all, it’s a step toward healing a fractured world.
Abiding in Love: Assurance Through the Spirit (1 John 4:13-16, NKJV)
John continues with a focus on assurance:
“By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:13-16, NKJV).
Abiding in God—living in His love—is confirmed by the Holy Spirit’s presence. The Spirit testifies to Jesus’ identity as Savior, grounding our faith in truth. This mutual abiding—God in us, we in God—mirrors Jesus’ teaching:
“Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4, NKJV).
The Greek word for “abide,” menō, means to remain or dwell—a continual, intimate connection. The Spirit’s role is key, assuring us of our relationship with God and empowering us to confess Jesus as Lord. This isn’t abstract—it’s experiential, a lived reality of God’s love.
In 2025, anxiety surges—economic instability, climate fears, social unrest. Christians find peace not in circumstances but in God’s unchanging love, a truth Jesus affirmed:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27, NKJV).
Non-Christians might see an invitation: to explore a love that transcends temporal worries, offering stability amid chaos. In a world of fleeting distractions, abiding in love is a radical anchor.
Abiding requires cultivation—prayer, meditating on Scripture (like Psalm 23, NKJV), worship. It’s choosing gratitude over grumbling, trust over turmoil. Try a daily practice: five minutes reflecting on God’s love, letting it sink in. This builds resilience against 2025’s uncertainties.
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear (1 John 4:17-19, NKJV)
John then addresses fear:
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:17-19, NKJV).
“Perfect love” (teleia agapē) is mature, complete love—God’s love fully realized in us. This love eliminates fear, especially of judgment, because we stand in Christ’s righteousness. Jesus often reassured, “Do not be afraid” (e.g., Luke 12:32, NKJV), pointing to the peace His love brings.
Fear “involves torment”—it paralyzes, isolates. Perfect love, rooted in God’s initiative (“He first loved us”), frees us, giving boldness even before eternity. This reflects Jesus’ victory over fear and death.
Fear defines 2025—AI takeover, environmental collapse, social disintegration. John’s wisdom: God’s love is the antidote. For Christians, this means trusting God’s sovereignty, even when headlines scream chaos. For non-Christians, it’s a reminder that selfless love can break fear’s hold, offering hope where despair reigns.
Live this by serving despite risk—helping a neighbor during a crisis, speaking hope into despair. Rest in God’s care: when fear creeps in, recall,
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, NKJV).
This transforms panic into peace.
Loving God and Loving Others: The Inseparable Command (1 John 4:20-21, NKJV)
John concludes with a challenge:
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:20-21, NKJV).
Love for God and others is inseparable—a truth Jesus taught:
“You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39, NKJV).
Hatred exposes hypocrisy—claiming faith while harboring resentment is a lie. John’s logic is simple: if we can’t love the visible, how can we love the invisible? This is a command, not a suggestion.
In 2025, hypocrisy undermines faith—online vitriol masked as “truth-telling” contradicts love. For Christians, this demands introspection: do my actions reflect God’s love? For non-Christians, it’s a universal ethic: love your neighbor, not just your allies.
Bridge divides—listen to the “other side,” serve the marginalized, forgive a grudge. Love in action—Reality—speaks louder than words. Try writing a note of reconciliation or volunteering—small steps with big impact.
1 John 4 confronts 2025’s crises—truth obscured by lies, love diluted by fear, relationships fractured by hate. Spiritual forces blind us (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV), but Jesus, the Life, promises:
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJV).
Christians find clarity; non-Christians find an invitation to truth and love.
We’re called to:
“Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15, NKJV),
discerning deception and freeing others with compassion (Isaiah 61:1, NKJV; John 8:32, NKJV)—serving, listening, loving fearlessly.
1 John 4 urges us to discern truth, abide in love, and cast out fear. Jesus—the Way, Truth, and Life—is our Reality. In 2025, let’s live this, shining His light. Will we embrace this call?