December 25th~Deceivers and Unbelievers

1 John 4:7-5:21

2 John 1:1-13


3 John 1:15

We managed to finish John’s first letter as well as read his second and third letters. Since we focused on John’s first letter yesterday, I’d like to turn our attention to his other letters today.

In his second letter, John commended the “chosen lady” on the fact that her children walked in truth, meaning that they were obvious believers by the things that they said and did. He then followed his commendation with a warning, “Many deceivers have gone out into the world. They do not believe that Jesus Christ came to earth in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist... Don’t invite him into your house or encourage him in any way. Anyone who encourages him becomes a partner in his evil work” (7, 10, 11).

It is important to note here that John was not instructing Christians to avoid unbelievers. Deceivers are not the same as unbelievers. We are commanded by Christ to go into all the world and make disciples, to befriend unbelievers and lead them to Jesus. However, we are to avoid deceivers.

Deceivers are those who propose a different “gospel,” a different way to be saved. A false gospel is one that does not hold that Jesus was the God-man (i.e. Gnosticism, Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.). John calls proponents of false gospels “deceivers and antichrists,” those who go too far, and warns his readers not to extend hospitality to them. Deceivers are not seekers looking to come to God; they are liars looking to lead people away from God.

In John’s third letter, he highlighted three men — the godly Gaius, the devilish Diotrephes, and the devout Demetrius. Gaius and Demetrius exhibited a lifestyle that was commendable, but

Diotrephes exhibited a lifestyle that was deplorable. John exposed him as a church tyrant; his dictatorial control over that local body was hindering the gospel.

Daily Reflection

Have you ever read a book, listened to a preacher, followed a person, or believed in a doctrine that was deceiving? It was clearly out of line with the truths of God’s Word but you didn’t notice it at first? Explain.

We know that those who are truly saved cannot lose their salvation, so then what do you suppose John meant by writing, “Watch out so that you do not lose the prize for which we have been working so hard. Be diligent so that you will receive your full reward. For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will not have fellowship with God” (2 John 8, 9).

The Church is not exempt from troublemakers, dictators, or bullies. Prideful people, who must be the center of attention and who must control everyone around them, damage the effectiveness of the gospel and hamstring a church’s ability to minister to the community. It is vital to confront such people before they cause irreparable harm.

BiAY.org |Day 359 — 6 Days to Go