What role does truth play in discerning lies according to 1 John 2:21? Root Verse “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth.” — 1 John 2:21 Setting the Scene • John is writing to believers who already “know the truth.” • He reminds them that truth and falsehood are mutually exclusive: “no lie comes from the truth.” • The verse follows warnings about antichrists (v.18) and denial of Jesus as the Christ (v.22), showing why discernment is urgent. What Truth Does • Establishes an unchanging standard—truth is absolute, not relative. • Exposes counterfeit claims—because anything that contradicts revealed truth is, by definition, a lie. • Grounds assurance—believers can be confident they already possess the knowledge needed to spot error. Truth as a Measuring Line • Isaiah 8:20: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.” Truth is the plumb line; deviation equals darkness. • John 17:17: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” God’s Word itself is the unwavering measure. Connecting to Christ • John 14:6: Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life,” so any teaching that diminishes His person or work is automatically false. • Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception… rather than according to Christ.” Knowing Christ grounds us. Practical Steps for Discerning Lies 1. Anchor every claim to Scripture—if it clashes with the plain text, reject it. 2. Stay in fellowship—v.19 shows deceivers “went out from us”; remaining in community provides protective accountability. 3. Rely on the anointing—v.20 says, “you have an anointing from the Holy One”; the Spirit illuminates truth. 4. Watch for Christological errors—denying Jesus as the Christ is the hallmark of deception (v.22). 5. Keep doctrine and practice linked—truth shapes behavior (1 John 1:6); inconsistency signals something is off. Why ‘No Lie Comes from the Truth’ Matters • Truth is pure; mixing even a “small” falsehood corrupts it (Galatians 5:9). • Lies distort God’s character—He “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). • Believers reflect God’s nature by walking in truth (3 John 4). Takeaway Points • Truth is not merely helpful; it is decisive in identifying error. • God equips believers with both Scripture and the Spirit, so we are never at the mercy of deception. • Holding to the straightforward, literal teaching of God’s Word protects the church and preserves personal assurance. |
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