1 John 4:14-19
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.
Commentary on 1 John 4:16-17
If Christians who know Scripture well can, with humility and God’s guidance, recognize who teaches the apostles’ truth and who opposes it. The heart of true faith centers on Christ—who He is and what He has done. False teachers shape their message to fit worldly values, avoiding anything that might offend, which is why they gain popularity and attract like-minded followers. The world naturally embraces what reflects its own desires.
In contrast, true teaching about Christ leads people away from the world and toward God, revealing the spirit of truth rather than error. The purer and more holy a teaching is, the more it reflects God. This is the standard for discerning what is truly from Him. It’s no surprise that those with worldly mindsets are drawn to teachers who echo their own preferences and cater to their desires.