1 John 2:24-27

As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.


That which is from the beginning should abide in us, so what was taught from the beginning? The apostles taught the truth of the gospel – Jesus’ incarnation, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension – things they personally experienced, not their own philosophical ideas and opinions. In maintaining these truths John’s readers have the promise of eternal life; in departing from them they had none. Other religions teach people to strive to do good works, follow certain tenets, meditate, and maybe… just maybe… they will reach some sort of enlightenment or positive escape from this world. Thankfully we must but believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be eternally saved!

Some versions translate “deceive you” (πλανώντωνn) as “seduce you.” Like the fruit in the garden, things not of God often look and sound appealing on the surface. But beneath the surface resides the rottenness of lies.

The influence on your heart and life, resulting from the fact that you are anointed of God, permanently abides with you and will keep you from dangerous error. True Christians will not fall away from the faith despite the corruptions in their hearts, the pollutions of the world, and the temptations of Satan. But danger lies in the worldliness of modern American Christians. No matter in what age we live we tend to conform to society, taking on its strengths and weaknesses. Most Christians today bear little difference from their unbelieving counterparts in either the media they consume or their lifestyle. Often the only difference is church attendance, and sometimes not even that distinction applies. How can we be salt and light when we have the same flavor and appearance as the world?

But what a comfort to know that as we abide in Him and He in us that His anointing will teach us about all things! The key is that we continue in prayer and grow in the knowledge of Scripture – the test against which all true teaching will pass.