Bible Truth #157 - 1 John 4:6

1 John 4:6

We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Whoever is NOT from God does not listen to us. Hmmmm, sounds very much like the encounter Jesus had with the Pharisees in John 8:42-47. (Bible Truth #23) Jesus told the Pharisees that if God were their Father they would love Him but because their father is the Devil, they are unable to understand what He says. They did not know God nor were they from God.

Well EVERY lost person who is not Elect is not from God and so does not listen to those who proclaim the Gospel. Now tell me how a lost person will listen. He can’t because he is not from God. And if he does not listen, how can he choose Christ? The Arminian says “The Holy Spirit comes and pricks the heart bringing understanding and the lost person then chooses whether to accept the Truth or not.” Sorry, but the lost man understands NOTHING from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). Once a man “understands” it is because his dead spirit has already been quickened by God. Salvation is not the result of understanding and “accepting” Christ. Understanding, believing and repenting are all results of God quickening a dead man’s spirit and saving him.

Whoever is not from God does not listen to us. Does a lost man somehow make himself “from God” thereby giving himself spiritual ears so he can hear, so he can listen? If this can be done I’m sure there is Scripture to support it. Quote it for me please.

This is how we recognize the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of falsehood. The key word here is the pronoun WE. Again, John is writing to Christians and it is Christians who have the ability to recognize the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of falsehood. Once again the lost do NOT have this ability because they do NOT HAVE the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, the lost CAN NOT recognize Spiritual Truths. And without this ability, they are not capable of believing or professing Christ, or repenting, or anything else pleasing to God. This is why God tells us in Romans 8:8 a lost man can not please Him.

However, does this in any way negate our responsibility to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ? ABSOLUTELY NOT! We are to be obedient and tell everyone through our lives, our words and our deeds. If anything, it should relieve you of “reponsibility” for the results. You cannot fail if you are a witness for that is your only responsibility. God is the one who makes the seed grow - or not. (1 Corinthians 3:7)