Holly'sWorld2.0

April 9, 2026 (Gregorian calendar/4th month/Day 98)
Thursday, 1 Meyazya 2018 (Ethiopian calendar/8th month)
ˀAbīb (Abib) אבב 16 (Ethiopian calendar/1st month/Green ears of grain)
~ Chag HaMatzot 2
15 April, 2026 (International Fixed calendar)
Planetary Moon 10, Limi 6 (13 Moon calendar/Last Quarter moon)
~ Planetary Dog Moon of Manifestation, April 4th – May 1st
Alder Moon: March 18 – April 14 (Celtic 13 Month calendar/4th month)
Month of the Flower Moon…Ka wa ni (Cherokee Moon)
13.0.13.8.17 12 Caban 10 Pop (Mayan Long Count calendar)
International Knife Sharpening Day, Unicorn Day

1 John 4:1-6
(Coverdale Bible)
Dearly beleued, beleue not ye euery sprete, but proue the spretes, whether they be of God. For many false prophetes are gone out in to the worlde.
2 Hereby shal ye knowe the sprete of God: Euery sprete which confesseth, that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God:
3 And euery sprete which confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not off God. And this is that sprete of Antechrist, off whom ye haue herde, how that he shal come, and euen now allready is he in the worlde.
4 Litle children, ye are off God, and haue ouercome them: for greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the worlde.
5 They are off the worlde, therfore speake they off the worlde, and the worlde herkeneth vnto them.
6 We are of God, and he that knoweth God, herkeneth vnto vs: he that is not of God, heareth vs not. Here by knowe we the sprete of trueth, and ye sprete of erroure.

translation:

Dearly beloved, believe not ye every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they be of God. For many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby shall ye know the spirit of God: Every spirit which confesses, that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God: And every spirit which confesses not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not off God. And this is that spirit of Antichrist, of whom ye have heard, how that he shall come, and even now already is he in the world. Little children, ye are off God, and have overcome them: for greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. They are off the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world harkened unto them. We are of God, and he that knows God, harkens unto us: he that is not of God, heareth us not. Here by know we the spirit of truth, and ye separate of error (the spirit of falsehood).

summary:

John warns believers not to accept every spiritual claim at face value. Instead, they must “test the spirits” to see whether the message comes from God. The sure test: a genuine spirit confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Any spirit that denies this is of the antichrist.

Believers have already overcome the deceivers because “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” False teachers speak from the world’s viewpoint and the world listens to them. Those who know God will heed the apostolic testimony, revealing the clear line between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Historical Setting

• Written late in the first century, likely from Ephesus, the letter addresses churches facing traveling teachers who denied Jesus’ real humanity.

• Early strains of what later became Gnosticism taught that spirit is good and matter evil, so the Son of God could not truly inhabit flesh. John confronts this head-on by insisting that confession of Jesus “come in the flesh” is the non-negotiable test of orthodoxy.

• Roman Asia (modern western Turkey) was a crossroads for ideas. House churches met in courtyards and upper rooms; inscriptions and mosaics found in Ephesus and surrounding towns confirm active commerce and cultural diversity, explaining how new teachings could spread quickly.

1 John 4, penned by the apostle John, serves as an essential guide for understanding God’s true nature of love and the importance of discerning between truth and falsehood in our spiritual journey. It dives into the complex interplay of divine love, fear, and the discernment of spirits, encouraging believers to scrutinize the spirits of this world, recognizing that those who truly follow God manifest His perfect love, thereby eliminating fear.

Testing the Spirits

Practical steps:
• Compare every teaching to Scripture.
• Look for a clear confession of Jesus’ full deity and full humanity.
• Note the fruit produced—truth and love versus deception and division.

Spirit of Truth vs. Spirit of Error
Jesus promised, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The apostolic message, now preserved in the New Testament, is that guidance. Listening to it marks one as “of God.” Failure to do so shows alignment with the world system under “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31).

Practical Applications
• Evaluate every sermon, podcast, or book by its view of Jesus.
• Anchor identity in the truth that the Spirit within is greater than cultural pressure without.
• Express love tangibly—hospitality, forgiveness, generosity—so that God’s invisible nature becomes visible.
• Replace fear with confidence by rehearsing God’s prior love: meditate on 4:10 and Romans 8:31-39.
• Prioritize relationships in the church family; unresolved bitterness contradicts the gospel we claim to believe.

Teaching Points:
Testing the Spirits
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). Discernment is crucial in distinguishing truth from deception.

Confession of Jesus Christ
Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God (1 John 4:2). Acknowledging the incarnation of Christ is a key test of true faith.

Practical Applications:
Practice Discernment
Regularly evaluate teachings and influences in your life against the truth of Scripture.

Embrace God’s Love
Reflect on the depth of God’s love for you and let it transform your heart and actions.

Love Others Actively
Seek opportunities to demonstrate love to others, especially those who are difficult to love.

Overcome Fear with Love
When faced with fear, remind yourself of God’s perfect love and let it guide your responses.

Confess Christ Boldly
Be open about your faith in Jesus Christ and His incarnation in your conversations and lifestyle.

hope you have a great day!
thanks for stopping by!!