John zeros in upon the believer’s responsibility to his brother (fellow believer) and indeed to one’s fellow man whether a believer or not. Generosity springs from one’s “bowels of mercy” or, as we might say nowadays, one’s”tender heart.” This means our emotions are to be in play. We come to know our hearts as we take note of our giving. Heartfelt giving: goods, time, emotional support and spiritual encouragement. The product of a heart engaged with God’s heart. Out of touch with His heart we can become hardhearted. Out of step with God we become drawn back from contact with others, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

John warns us. A “spirit” after the mode of antichrist has invaded the religious world. The hearts of men become occupied with formal religious services complete with ceremonial rituals and a formal liturgy often used in empty repetitions.

Matthew 6:7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”

The Corinthians were warned by Paul to assure themselves that the spirit of a man was confessing Jesus Christ come in the flesh.

1 Corinthians 12:3 “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

The Thessalonians were informed of the man of sin yet to come.

2 Thssalonians 2:4 “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

This coming “man of sin” was not what John was warning of. Rather, it is false teaching (doctrine) that had already sprung up among those professing to be Christians — a teaching which John calls “that of antichrist,” according to some better translations.

1 John 4:3 (DBY) “and every spirit which does not confess Jesus Christ come in flesh is not of God: and this is that [power] of the antichrist, [off which ye have heard that it comes, and now it is already in the world.”

1John 4:3 (YLT) “and every spirit that doth not confess Jesus Christ in the flesh having come, of God it is not; and this is that of the antichrist, which ye heard that it doth come, and now in the world it is already.”

In contrast, John reminds us that we, his dear, vulnerable, little children, are of God! That fact characterizes the true believers even though they may find themselves enmeshed in the non-Christian trappings now associated with the “Christian world.” Allow the Spirit to get you out of that and to gather you in with others in such a manner that Christ can comfortably be there personally in the midst.

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

How are we to know what to believe? Listen to John and the other inspired writers of the Bible. He says, with them, 

“we are of God.”

The test of whether one is of God is whether they listen and heed the word of those who are “of God.” John speaks of these as “us” and “our.” The scriptures!  One’s attitude toward scriptures presented to him reveals whether he is of truth or of error. That is the test! One’s beliefs and one’s statements will signal whether he is of the world or of God and His word. This is to govern our attitude and conduct toward them Enjoy things in common with those that are God’s to the extent possible considering their personal beliefs and life.