Abiding brings discernment

1 John 2:24-25   Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us–eternal life.

John has just written in the prior scriptures addressing the false prophets of the day; they are called the antichrist who deny the deity of Jesus as the Son of God. There were many false prophets of that day, and there are still many in our midst these days. They twist the scriptures to fit their agendas, or they present Christ in many other forms, some even denying that He was/is the Son of God completely. There is no middle ground here; they are antichrists, Satan’s messengers sent to lead people astray. They come as wolves in sheep’s clothing; sensual messages that tickle the ears and make us feel good. Yet under their cloak they are twisting the word of God, deny the Son of God, and leading many astray. The antichrist have been in our midst for over two thousand years; they are a predecessor to the beast in the book of Revelation who will elevate himself above God.

John has pointed us to keeping our eyes and hearts on Christ; to not love the things of this world and to seek to abide in Christ daily. If we truly have our hearts set on God, and the things of God, we will spend daily time with Him. This time leads us to that state of being known as abiding. That abiding heart has the knowledge and discernment found in God’s Word and prayer. That knowledge gives you the ability through Him to recognize the antichrists in your midst. Something will not feel right about the false gospels they are preaching. That “feeling”, is the Holy Spirit that God has given you to teach you all things. 27 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.(ESV) The more time you spend with God, the more the Holy Spirit reveals the things of God to you.

When you have that abiding spirit about you, you will live a changed life that seems different to others. That difference is how God uses you to draw others to himself. That hope that is placed in you for eternal life is something that the world cannot steal away, and the world does not understand. The hope that the world and the antichrist preach is a false hope, and the darkness in it is revealed by the light inside of you. The closer you draw in, the deeper you abide in Him, the more evident the hope in you becomes. You will begin to live your life differently, not ashamed of the promises you now claim. 28 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.(ESV) All of this comes with a heart that seeks God, and the things of God daily. A heart that truly desires Him, will find him, and the knowledge and discernment that comes with the anointing as a child of his for eternity.