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As a surviving disciple who had seen, heard, and touched Jesus, God in the flesh, John had become the elder statesman in the church. He wrote this letter to his "dear children" to expose the errors they needed to reject, and to insist on those truths they could count on.

Interact with God's Word

1 John 5:19-21; 1 John 2:15-17

1. What does the apostle John say (5:19) that we know about ourselves?
2. How, according to verse 20b, can we be sure of this?
3. What does John say we know about the world around us?
4. To what conclusion (v. 21) does this drive the apostle as he concludes his letter?
5. What are some current "idols" that could edge out God's place in your heart?
6. What, according to 2:16, are the inducements of the world?
7. Is this "worldliness" basically external behavior, or does it also involve internal attitudes?
8. What (v. 17) is the relative permanence of physical pleasures, possessions, and status as contrasted with—say—self-control, generosity, and service?

Spend Time in Prayer

Ask God for the discernment to see which pursuits are "fading away," and the discipline to invest in those that will "live forever."

1 John 5:19-21; 2:15-17

5:19We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. 21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.

2:15Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Your Word warns that the Devil's attacks aren't primarily physical. Keep me vigilant to skirmishes in the virtual realm.

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