LEARNING DAILY

 

1 John 2:27, But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

 

This past weekend, Max Lucado spoke at Community Bible Church; in his message, he referenced the verse above. I needed to study the verse to make sure I understood what it was saying.

 

All (defined to mean ALL) people who ask Jesus into their life to save them, receive the Holy Spirit, the “anointing”, to help lead them into truth (see John 14:26 and John 16:13). The Holy Spirit helps those who walk on the narrow way abiding in Christ and do all they can to walk or submit to the Word of God -- to understand its truth and live within its boundaries. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Word of God, guides us into its truth, and helps us to live in it (walk the narrow way). I have written in my Bible this comment I found somewhere: Living in the truth of God’s Word reveals Jesus to us and the way to heaven. It is arrogant to think one is good enough to impress a holy God that he is good enough to get into heaven.

 

“The phrase “and you do not need anyone teach you” does not deny the relevance of Bible teachers or preachers. It simply means that the truth of the Word of God – which Christians already possess – is sufficient for wisdom in “all things” (DJSB). I am so thankful for all the Bible scholars, the pastors I have listened to who truly preach/teach the Bible, and close brothers in Christ that I have great discussions with about the Word of God. When I write this blog, I consult several different study Bibles and consult various commentaries to try to make sure I am writing truth. These Godly people have helped me to better understand the Bible and the Holy Spirit has revealed truths to me. Believe me, this is a continual process.

 

Why stress this today? Why is this important? It is because TRUTH is being challenged everywhere today. Anyone who contradicts the Word of God must not be listened to; that person(s) is a liar, a deceiver, a false teacher or false prophet. Their purpose is to “deceive, even the elect, if possible” (Matthew 24:24). The Holy Spirit in each of us is to help us from being misled by false teaching; He tells us something is not right about a teaching and tells us to check out what the Word of God is saying for ourselves. In the days we are living in, Christians must be very careful about those who come with deceiving words and extrabiblical doctrine. That is in addition to the outright lies being told everywhere.

 

As Christians, we are told by John to “abide in Him”! By doing so, we grow stronger and stronger in Christ. By doing so, the Holy Spirit’s voice or His warning becomes about error or deception or that something is not right about something is more clearly sensed. Jesus is coming! We need to stay ready!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible