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Read: 1 John 2:18-23
Listen: 1 John 2

I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 1 John 2:21

John, the aging disciple, writes a letter to believers in Ephesus because he is concerned about them. False teachers and prophets are trying to lead them away from Jesus with incorrect teachings about him. These teachers claim to know the truth about Jesus, but they are teaching lies. They deny that Jesus was fully human and fully God. John had already taught these believers the truth about Jesus. Now he tells them to stay with that truth and not listen to the lies. To spot what is false, they must first know what is true.

The same is true for us today. We must grow in our knowledge of the truth. Doing so helps us identify and resist that which is false. Social media, podcasts, books, TV series and music allow people with varying perspectives to share their ideas and beliefs. Many people and voices offer their thoughts on what is true, including those related to Jesus Christ. But we must recognize that many of the voices in our world today share lies (even if they contain a hint of truth).

TODAY: Commit (or re-commit) to be a student of the truth. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). God’s Word, the Bible, is our source of truth. We need to read, study, memorize and obey Scripture, allowing it to shape and direct our lives. Ask God to help you become a more faithful student of his Word. Ask him to help you learn to turn from every wrong path, through understanding Scripture (Psalm 119:103-104).