Today’s passage: 1 John 2:26-29
Helpful thoughts:
- One of the methods of the false teachers was to declare they had received a special “anointing” from God. Therefore, everyone had to listen to their instruction. (As if it were more significant than the Word of God or others’ teaching.)
- John’s response? You all received the same “anointing” when you were saved. You don’t need special super-anointed people to do the teaching.
- This practice of claiming special anointing and revelation from God is still far too common and accepted today. Watch out!
- To say that no teachers are necessary at all would contradict other passages of Scripture. What we don’t need is anything that goes beyond God’s people gathered together, learning from the Word of God.
- God has given spiritual gifts to people for teaching (Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-16).
- God has given everyone the Holy Spirit who illumines our understanding of the Word (1 Corinthians 2:14).
- So, if a pastor or teacher teaches false doctrine, Christians have the ability to hear it, compare it to Scripture, and know it is right or wrong.
- Teachers who claim this special anointing and teach things that contradict the Word of God are false teachers living in active rebellion against God as they continue to practice unrighteousness.
Questions to consider:
- Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Why would we ever need more than what the Holy Spirit and the Word of God have given to us? What is true about our desires, patience and attention that would drive us to look for something “quicker” and “easier”?
- If a person claims a special “anointing” or “filling” of the Holy Spirit and proceeds to teach false doctrine, and/or practice Christianized fortune telling, what should be our first concern? (Verse 29)
- What happens to the proclamation of the Gospel message and the joy of our salvation when we begin accepting/preferring false teachers and their methods? If our hunger and thirst for teaching starts to focus on the things of this world (“Do not love the things of the world”) what has happens to our mission and goals as a church?