December 17

1 John 4

Anyone is not of God who denies that Jesus is the Son of God who came in the flesh.

INSIGHT

Whenever you are uncertain about someone's teaching, find out what they teach about Jesus. If the truth about God's Son has been twisted, their belief system will be flawed. To test the truthfulness of a particular teaching, ask them these questions:

  1. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the second member of the Trinity?
  2. Do you believe that He came in the flesh, incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth?
  3. Do you agree that He died for our sins and was resurrected from the dead?
  4. Do you believe that His death provided atonement for our sins and that the only way of salvation is by grace through faith in Him?

If the answer to any of these questions is "No," be cautious. Do not believe everything someone says.

PRAYER

Praise the Lord for all that He has done in providing for our salvation:
Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord;
Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord! . . .
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. . . .
For I know that the Lord is great,
And our Lord is above all gods. . . .
Blessed be the Lord out of Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 135:1, 3, 5, 21).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way. . . .
For Your name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great(Psalm 25:8-9, 11).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord: God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1:7)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
greater love for your family,
missionaries in North and South America,
whatever else is on your heart.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
(Psalm 90:1

Receive teachings, global updates, and free resources with Walk Thru the Bible's free Living God's Word.
Read our current Newsletter and Subscribe today.