An Inductive Study of 1st John

Lesson 9


  1. In John 4:1, the apostle John warns, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (NASV) Why is this so important? Consider the following verses:

    1. Matthew 7:15



    1. Acts 20:30-31



    1. 2 Peter 2:1






  1. In the KING JAMES VERSION, the word test is “prove”. Look up the word prove (DAKMAZO) in Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words and record the definition.

    1. In this verse, test (DAKIMAZO) is present tense. Believers are to continually test the spirits by comparing everything they are being taught. Why?



    1. Today we should be testing the spirits. How do we do that?

      1. 1 John 4:2,3.



      1. 1 John 4:5.6




  1. In 1 John 4:7 - 5:13 John speaks of the love of God. He starts by saying, “Beloved, let us love one another . . . “ Is John speaking only to believers in this passage? Locate beloved (AGAPETOI) in Vines before you record you answer.



  1. What absolute does John state in 4:8?



  1. In this epistle John has given two tests to determine genuine salvation; doctrinal and moral.

    1. Doctrinal:

      1. Does this person confess sins? 1 John 1:9-10

      2. Does this person confess that Jesus is God in the flesh? 1 John 2:22-23; 4:2, 15; 5:1.

      3. Does this person habitually obey God's commandments? 1 John 1:6; 2:3; 3:6-10, 24; 5:2.

    2. Moral:

      1. Does this person love his brother? 1 John 3:14,15; 4:12, 16, 20.

      2. Does this person overcome the world rather than allowing the world to continually overcome him? 1 John 4:4; 5:4,5.

  2. Locate love (AGAPO) in Vines. There is much information to be found there. Notice what is said about 1 John 4:8 and 16. Look under both the verb (AGAPE) and the noun (AGAPO). Record some of the most helpful and insightful truths that are stated about God's love.













  1. Look again at 1 John 4:9,10 and record your thoughts.