As we look again at this section about anti-Christs and false teaching, we need to consider how we can be protected from being led astray.

The first thing that protects from falsehood is the truth (v21, 24-25). Gnosticism was raising its head in John’s day, with a claim to a higher knowledge through special enlightenment. John responds by showing these believers still in the church, that they do have the truth (v21). This truth came not from some special vision but through what they had been taught (v24). It is not some special vision or knowledge that leads to eternal life but the truth contained in the message of the apostles in scripture (v25).

The second thing that protects is an anointing (v20, 27) which comes from the Holy Spirit and enables a correct understanding of scripture (v20). This anointing helps the believer as they focus on scripture (v27).

The Word abides within the believer (v24) and the anointing of the Spirit abides in the believer (v27) so that the believer can abide in the Father and the Son (v24b). Being protected from the antichrist and false teaching depends on remaining close to the true Christ through the Word and the Spirit working in our lives together. Pray for this.