This is Part 3 in a three-part series exploring 1 John 2:18-27
3. Continue in the Spirit's Teaching
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 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.
So John wants us to, first, consider the season we are in. Second, he wants us to confess Jesus as the Son. Third, and finally, we learn in these verses, he wants us to continue in the Spirit's teaching.
The Anointing
Now, in saying this, John used a few phrases which have come under abuse in some Christian circles. Back in 2:20, John said:
"But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge." (1 John 2:20).
And, here, he picks up that theme by saying the anointing we've received from Jesus abides in us (27). So, somehow, God has anointed or given an anointing to the people in His church.
What is this "anointing"?
Well, certainly, John is not referring to a secret anointing only a select few receive. Some modern Christians make this mistake, thinking "the anointing" is like a virus or germ you can catch in a special church meeting.
In fact, that was likely the error the false teachers made. They thought they were the select few, anointed with special knowledge others didn't possess. In the process of claiming their own special anointing, they denied the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus the Christ (which means 'anointed').
Instead, John is alluding to the basic fact that at regeneration, the Holy Spirit makes us His home. It is stated plainly in verses like these:
"When you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13).
"God put His seal on us and has given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 1:22).
Our Teacher
And this anointing, the Holy Spirit, is our teacher. So much so, John writes, And you have no need that anyone should teach you (27). Now, I should mention that some scholars think John is only referring to the original hearers, or even only the teachers of their churches, many of whom John would've known. They were Christians John felt were already rock solid.
But it seems John thought more broadly. He went on to say, His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie (27). He envisioned an ongoing work of the Spirit. Steadily, the Spirit of God would lead and teach God's people.
Now, it should go without saying, but I cannot go without saying it, that John is not displacing the role of teachers in the local church. He would've stood with Paul, who taught that Jesus, after ascending, gave essential gifts to the church in the form of "apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints..." (Ephesians 4:11-12).
And, in case you haven't noticed, John is pretty busy teaching the church with his written Word. So we can dispense with the idea a real Christian doesn't need anyone to teach him. Yes, the Spirit teaches us, but this isn't John or the apostles' way of ridding the church of Spirit-filled teachers of Scripture.
I remember speaking with a man, right here in our church lobby, about this years ago. He came to church with his wife and children in tow. After the service, he announced to me they had driven from quite far away looking for a good church. They'd visited something like thirty churches so far, and none were up to his standards. After he asked me a few questions, I asked him a few more, and then I told him I was fairly certain we also would not be able to meet his standards! The man truly felt he needed no teacher. He's probably still looking. I feel sorry for his family.
So now that we've addressed what John isn't saying, we should celebrate the truth John is communicating.
Though the context allows for the importance of Bible teachers in various forms, the point John is making is that the Spirit is our ultimate and highest teacher. He might speak to us directly from the pages of Scripture or through the teaching of another, but we don't need someone to offer us a new word or new truth. He is sufficient to communicate the Word to us.
The Word of God is our safeguard against running wild with claims about the Spirit's teaching. If it contradicts Scripture, it's not of the Spirit. Still, we need the heavenly teacher to help us continue in the truth. We should not highlight the Spirit to the detriment of Scripture. But we should not be those who honor the Word only to ignore the Spirit, either.
Abide in Him
So John said, Just as it has taught you, abide in Him (27). We will think more deeply about abiding in Christ next week, but for now, think of this story.
In ancient times, the people of Israel, while wandering in the wilderness for forty years, were fed miraculously by God. Daily, manna appeared. On Friday, they collected two days' worth so they could rest on Saturday. But each morning, of every day, they went out and got the manna for that day. They couldn't store it up for the next day, lest it "breed worms and stink" (Exodus 16:20).
Let this serve as an emblem of your pursuit of God in His Word. Get some of His Word, the manna, every day of your life. You don't have to do a time-consuming study of the text every day, but spend whatever time you can digging into His Word. Get it in you. Daily, we need whatever Word God has for us.
Bible reading is a basic application of John's exhortation to abide in Him, to continue in the Spirit's teaching. I know there will be things you don't understand. But there will be much you do understand. It will encourage you.
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4, Jesus quoting Deuteronomy)
Sometimes people ask me about my personal Bible reading plan. I have written about it at length online (an article entitled: How I Design My Daily Devotional Time), but the basics of my reading time are as follows:
- A quick read-through of a Psalm or Proverb to start.
- The next chapter in the New Testament, beginning in Matthew.
- The next 2-4 chapters in the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis.
As I read, I write down brief thoughts or prayers which stem from the text. Like I said, it's not a big, elaborate exegesis of Scripture, but a simple time of reading and listening. I want to learn about God and be reminded of the basics of the gospel. E V E R Y D A Y.
When we're content to merely receive the simple and straightforward teaching of God's Word, by the Spirit, we are better protected from the season we are in, the last hour. And it is a dangerous time we are in. Consider Paul's description of it in 2 Timothy.
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty...People will be always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:1, 7)
And also:
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
As I close this teaching, look again at 1 John 2:26 -- "I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you." They are actively trying to deceive us. I want you to imagine, as you listen to podcasts, read books, and watch television, the enemy like a sniper scoping you up. He wants to, at the right moment, take you out. So abide in the truth you heard from the beginning! Don't deviate!
Applications / Close
As we conclude, here are a few applications for your consideration. Remember Joseph. He warned Pharaoh of the hard days to come, and now John has warned us. Let's apply this truth.
1 Stop thinking of the doctrine of Christ's coming impractical.
2 Pray for Jesus' return.
3 Read the book of Revelation.
4 If ever bored when thinking of the gospel, rebuke the thought.
5 Ask Christians you respect for book recommendations.
6 Ask the Father for more guidance from the Spirit.
7 Find a doable Bible reading plan.
8 Remember Jesus.
Access Parts 1 & 2 of this series:
3 Protections For Today's Believers - Part 1 (1 John 2:18-27)
3 Protections For Today's Believers - Part 2 (1 John 2:18-27)
