Tuned theology

April 16, 2021 (Friday)

 

Failed theology is dangerous because there are those who do not rely on the Holy Spirit.

 

John states, “I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.” [1 John 2:26 ESV] John is concerned, enough to issue a warning. There is a dark implication in these words. Simply put, John’s concern was that believers are being deceived.

 

There are lots of people who would like to suggest a true believer cannot be deceived by false teaching. If that were accurate, then John’s warning (and concern) is moot, meaningless, and misleading. Certainly one of the Apostles would not mislead us, would he?

 

Wait, John is trying to keep us from being deceived. The key to not being deceived is to have our spirits tuned to the Holy Spirit. He continues, “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” [1 John 2:27 ESV] I’ve already mentioned the Holy Spirit. To understand this we need to go back to something Jesus said.

 

John records Jesus words, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” [John 1:7 ESV] Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit. The word translated “helper” is also translated “companion” and “advocate.”

 

Literally this image is that of a lawyer or maybe a mentor (sponsor). Remember the idea of tuning your soul to be in harmony with the Holy Spirit? It’s critical because we need to know the voice of the Holy Spirit. If we don’t distinguish the voice of the Holy Spirit from the noise of the world, we are on our own.

 

Jesus went on to explain a few things the Holy Spirit would do. The one that fits our lesson today is, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” [John 16:13 ESV] So when we have our spirits tuned to the Holy Spirit, we will know “truth.”

 

Knowing the truth is supposed to make us deception-proof. Consider the options, “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” [1 John 2:28 ESV] Yikes! If this were a move the robot is supposed to jump out of the weeds and warn “Danger! Danger!”

 

Is this possible? Why would anyone shrink from Him in shame? Kind of an awkward place to be, eh? Consider the options, again, “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” [1 John 2:29 ESV] You can be sure or you can shrink…