Lesson 11: Enemies of the Truth

Identifying enemies of the truthIdentifying enemies of the truth –The “antichrist” (2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7) “Anti” = to oppose or be against“Anti” = to oppose or be against Individual or group who oppose or are against Jesus Christ, His deity & His teachings—attempting to usurp His authorityIndividual or group who oppose or are against Jesus Christ, His deity & His teachings—attempting to usurp His authority These (in 1 John) were apostate members of the church (2:19)These (in 1 John) were apostate members of the church (2:19) Jesus had warned & foretold of their coming (Matt. 7:13-14; 24:5, 23-38; Mark 13:22).Jesus had warned & foretold of their coming (Matt. 7:13-14; 24:5, 23-38; Mark 13:22).

Enemies of the Truth Identifying enemies of the truthIdentifying enemies of the truth –The “antichrist” (2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7) Found only 5 times in 4 passages (all in John’s epistles)Found only 5 times in 4 passages (all in John’s epistles) There is no specific person denominated “the antichrist” in the NT – “many antichrists” (1 John 2:18; 2 John 7).There is no specific person denominated “the antichrist” in the NT – “many antichrists” (1 John 2:18; 2 John 7). The Bible does not suggest that the “antichrist” is a mysterious, sinister, Satanic leader who is to appear shortly before the return of Christ to “take over the world with evil” – there were many antichrists in the first century, as John said, “even now many antichrists have come” (2:18; cf. 4:3).The Bible does not suggest that the “antichrist” is a mysterious, sinister, Satanic leader who is to appear shortly before the return of Christ to “take over the world with evil” – there were many antichrists in the first century, as John said, “even now many antichrists have come” (2:18; cf. 4:3). The term “antichrist” is a general designation employed to suggest a spirit of unbelief that can be manifested in a variety of ways, both past & present—not a specific person. This can denote any dogma that is against Christ—in terms of truth regarding Him (like a denial of His deity) or opposition to truth which has issued from Him.The term “antichrist” is a general designation employed to suggest a spirit of unbelief that can be manifested in a variety of ways, both past & present—not a specific person. This can denote any dogma that is against Christ—in terms of truth regarding Him (like a denial of His deity) or opposition to truth which has issued from Him.

Enemies of the Truth Identifying enemies of the truthIdentifying enemies of the truth –The “antichrist” (2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7) –Diotrephes (3 John 9-11) Member of the Lord’s churchMember of the Lord’s church Placed himself, his agenda & his will above the churchPlaced himself, his agenda & his will above the church John identifies Diotrephes as:John identifies Diotrephes as: –Trying to counteract good work of Gaius/others (5, 11) –Rejecting apostolic authority (“not receive us,” 9) –Striving for preeminence among the brethren (9) –Refusing to receive/fellowship certain brethren (10) –Expelling good brethren from the church’s fellowship without Scriptural reasons (10) –Verbally attacking faithful brethren (“prating,” 10)

Enemies of the Truth Characterizing enemies of the truthCharacterizing enemies of the truth –They “do not abide in the doctrine of Christ” (2 Jn. 9). –They are “of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them” (1 John 4:5). –They are abusive in their speech—“prating against us with malicious words” (3 John 10). –They are liars (1 John 2:22). –They are the source of division in the body of Christ (3 John 9-10). –They are “the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6), deceivers (2:26), those who attack the integrity of God (5:9-10).

Enemies of the Truth Teachings of enemies of the truthTeachings of enemies of the truth –Rejection of the incarnation of Jesus Christ & His “Messiahship” (4:2-3; 2:22; 2 John 7), making a distinction between the human Jesus and the divine Son of God. (Thereby denying God also, 2:22-23). Deny Jesus as our example, our high priest and our Savior, for if Jesus was not a man (who lived like us, was tempted like us, struggled like us), He could not show us how to live or identify with our weaknesses at all as a merciful Advocate.Deny Jesus as our example, our high priest and our Savior, for if Jesus was not a man (who lived like us, was tempted like us, struggled like us), He could not show us how to live or identify with our weaknesses at all as a merciful Advocate. –Rejection of the doctrine of Christ (2 John 7-11), when one “transgresses (‘goes ahead, goes too far, goes beyond’)… the doctrine of Christ”—i.e., the truth (2 John 1-2), the commandment (2 John 4-6). –Doctrine & practice of exclusion (3 John 9-10) for selfish, personal, rebellious & ill-tempered reasons.

Enemies of the Truth Destiny of enemies of the truthDestiny of enemies of the truth –Forfeit fellowship with God “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either” (1 John 2:23). “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either” (1 John 2:23). “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God” (2 John 9).“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God” (2 John 9). –To have fellowship with God, we must: Believe in Jesus as the Christ (4:2-3; 5:1, 4-5, 12-13)Believe in Jesus as the Christ (4:2-3; 5:1, 4-5, 12-13) Live righteously (2:29; 3:9-10)Live righteously (2:29; 3:9-10)

Enemies of the Truth Victory we can enjoy over enemies of truthVictory we can enjoy over enemies of truth –We must abide in God & Jesus Practice righteousness (2:28-29; 3:7)Practice righteousness (2:28-29; 3:7) Listen to God through His Word (4:4-6)Listen to God through His Word (4:4-6) Maintain & nurture our faith in God & Jesus (5:4-5)Maintain & nurture our faith in God & Jesus (5:4-5) Remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus (2 John 9)Remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus (2 John 9) Keep ourselves in the love of GodKeep ourselves in the love of God

Enemies of the Truth Victory we can enjoy over enemies of truthVictory we can enjoy over enemies of truth –We must abide in God & Jesus –We must persistently & honestly evaluate ‘selves “Look to yourselves” (2 John 8)“Look to yourselves” (2 John 8) “Look” = “to observe, discern, perceive”“Look” = “to observe, discern, perceive” Implies doing so with fervencyImplies doing so with fervency So that “we may receive our full reward” (2 John 8)So that “we may receive our full reward” (2 John 8)

Enemies of the Truth Victory we can enjoy over enemies of truthVictory we can enjoy over enemies of truth –We must abide in God & Jesus –We must persistently & honestly evaluate ‘selves –We must “test” every teacher & their teachings 1 John 4:1-2 – “test” = prove, determine genuineness1 John 4:1-2 – “test” = prove, determine genuineness Objective = determine “whether they are of God” (4:1)Objective = determine “whether they are of God” (4:1) As Christians, we must never leave the impression that we endorse or in any other way encourage false teaching (2 John 9-11).As Christians, we must never leave the impression that we endorse or in any other way encourage false teaching (2 John 9-11). –Must never receive, fellowship, endorse or encourage a false teacher (2 John 9-11) –Never imitate them (3 John 9-11) –Always be ready to confront them (3 John 10)

Enemies of the Truth Victory we can enjoy over enemies of truthVictory we can enjoy over enemies of truth –We must abide in God & Jesus –We must persistently & honestly evaluate ‘selves –We must “test” every teacher & their teachings –We must consistently walk in the truth ourselves “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father” (2 John 4).“I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father” (2 John 4). “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 3-4).“For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 3-4).

Enemies of the Truth Victory we can enjoy over enemies of truthVictory we can enjoy over enemies of truth –We must abide in God & Jesus –We must persistently & honestly evaluate ‘selves –We must “test” every teacher & their teachings –We must consistently walk in the truth ourselves –We can conquer enemies of the truth if we will: Identify them (1 John 4:1-2)Identify them (1 John 4:1-2) Test them (1 John 4:1)Test them (1 John 4:1) Refute them (Jude 3)Refute them (Jude 3) Isolate them (2 John 9-11; 3 John 9-10)Isolate them (2 John 9-11; 3 John 9-10)