MEN HAVE LIVED IN AN ENDLESS AGE OF BEWILDERING BATTLE SINCE THE GARDEN OF EDEN, TRICKED OF BIRTHRIGHT

1. We are met on a great battlefield Barnhouse calls The Invisible War and are pawns
2. At least we have the choice - will we choose to be on the side of Truth- or Error! -Choose today
3. But the rules of the game, and the directions we play seem confusing to many people, and they have a hard time relating together between what they say and what they do!

I. JOHN SAW TRUTH AND ERROR I John 4:6b

John had been in the service of the Lord long enough to be direct in what he had to say!

A.- JOHN SPOKE OF A SPIRIT OF TRUTH, AND A SPIRIT OF ERROR, AND THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE –

1. The spirit of Truth is that Holy Spirit of God that gives us unction, and anointing- guidance
2. The Spirit of Error- is from the Devil- teaching lies, and seducing men into error- death
3. The source of Error - 4:5a - They are of the World - The World system that belongs to Satan!

B.- JOHN SPOKE PLAINLY ABOUT THE THINGS HE SAW AND HEARD THAT WERE NOT RIGHT - LIES & DECEPTION!

1. 1:6-If we say- are in light, & walk in darkness- we LIE! Not everyone claiming fellowship wi(illegible)
2. 1:8-If we say we have no sin- we deceive ourselves- truth is not in us!- self deception possible
3. 2:4- He that saith- I Know Him-& keepeth not His commandments- is a liar!  Very blunt!
4. 2:9- He that saith he is in light- & hateth brother is in darkness!- God has not shined in
5. 2:15- If any man love world-love of Father is not in him! - Choose, you can't marry both!
6. 2:22- Who is a liar - he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ- Have you? Is He Lord of your life?
7. 3:6,8,19- He who abides in sin hath not known him!- Choose where you are going to live!
8. 4:20- If a man say I love God, & hates his brother- he is a liar - two cannot have same heart

C.- THOUGH JOHN HAD SPENT HIS LIFE TEACHING TRUTH, HE SAW SOME WHO CLAIMED IT, BUT REJECTED IT!

They were of the World- the World heard them, and they spoke of the world!

II.- JOHN SAID " WE ARE OF GOD" I John 4:6a

John used the Emphatic - "WE" - a deep contrast between We- and They! - & measure it carefully

A.- JOHN NOT ONLY STATED THAT "WE ARE OF GOD",- HE ALSO STATED THAT ANYONE KNOWING GOD HEARS US!

1. "He that knoweth"- is Gnosko- the progressive, experiential knowledge that can grow with us!
2. He says "The growing Saint that knows God-hears us! Not marching to a different drummer!
3.All of God's revelation is in harmony- If a person knows God- he will hear God's servant!
4. Any real "truth" will be in harmony for all ages, times, civilizations, -no difference!

B.- JOHN SAID "HEREBY WE KNOW" AND IT IS POSSIBLE TO KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH IS JESUS

1. We can know because we have met Jesus- and we have an unction from the Holy One:-2:20
2. But they must have had trouble showing it because John felt he had to instruct them!

C. JOHN'S EYES AND EARS TOLD HIM THAT THINGS WERE NOT RIGHT- AND MY EYES & EARS GET BLISTERED TOO

1. I heard a "Jesus" person- Saw him drunk on wine rejecting the Bible & any organized Church
2. I heard man in prison- molesting 12 girls- brag that he had not committed adultery against his wife
3. A man brought me a Bible as a gift -Store ticket still on it--"no sin to steal a Bible"-
4. A man divorced & remarried tore up one church,& wanted to do it here- felt self-justified
5. Luis Inks told kids of a young person who said he prayed before having sex with girl-no condom

People wanting to claim Christianity- yet live their own way, doing their own thing? -

III.- HOW CAN WE KNOW TRUTH FROM ERROR ?

Write in your Bible- and let me give you 5 measuring sticks to use in confused world!

1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY! -Matt 5:17-19- The Bible is very plain! The things it calls sin are sin! People today want to argue between fornication, adultery, or free love! immorality
2. Does it GLORIFY JESUS CHRIST - Col 3:17 - There are so many things that do, it is just not worth it to do those things that do not glorify our Lord Jesus Christ!-
3. DOES IT EDIFY THE BODY OF CHRIST - I Cor 14:26 Let all things be done to edifying! What effect (illegible)
4. DOES IT ENSLAVE YOU TO THE WORLD? I Cor 6:12- Freedom does not cause you to be a slave 
5. WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT SAY?  John 16:12-14 & 1st JOHN too- the inner witness
6. WHAT DO GODLY PEOPLE DO AND SAY ? I Cor 11:1- Paul said "follow me" Look & find some Godly person to whom you can go for advise and guidance!-

BUT IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED, THESE RULES CANNOT KEEP YOU OUT OF CONDEMNATION!

I Cor 2:10-14 - If you are a natural man- you still cannot receive the things of God!
If you want the Mind of "Christ- v.16b- then accept the person of Christ!

PEOPLE OF THIS AGE NEED DESPERATELY TO SET THEIR EYES ON JESUS, AND NOT BE LED ASTRAY

1. Will you receive Jesus as Savior?
2. Will you walk in His Truth?-