1 John 4:5,6 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 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. This is an interesting passage. This is saying that christians and nonchristians have different viewpoints. This was more clear in the roman era. While there was religion, it focused more on the sensual, the logical or powerful. This is why Jesus charge to go the second mile would have been so foreign. Roman soldiers could conscript people to carry their gear for a mile. To willingly help the second mile would be a christian testimony. The soldier would wonder “why is this person helping me?” The christian could tell him of the love of God. America was founded as a christian country. Biblical concepts were woven into the fabric of our nation. Many think they are christians because they have some church experience and because they are american. But at the core, there is a difference. It’s becoming more obvious with the younger generations. They have been educated in a more secular, multicultural fashion. When these attempt to discern right from wrong, those are the filters that are used. This differs from the christian. It’s the bible that guides the christian’s thinking. It’s more than a mental outlook. The last part of verse six says, “This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Behind the biblical message is the Holy Spirit. God equates Himself with His Word. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God.” There is more depth to this, but we can say that the principles in the Bible are His and He takes them very personally. Another difference is that the Spirit of Christ is living in us and He has caused us to be born again with His nature. So, the biblical message resonates with us. The bible has been described as our food. 1 Peter 2:2 says, “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” As we grow by feeding on God’s Word, we become like Him. This is true at the heart level. It’s not just accepting a set of logical concepts. It becomes who we are and it’s our alliance with God. Later on in first Peter chapter two, he says this, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” He says we are aliens and strangers. While the world encourages being a red blooded american and indulging in things that teenagers do, we are told to abstain. We aren’t to be prudish and judge them. It’s just not for us. Lord, thank You that You instill Your Word, thus Yourself in us. Help us to walk according to Your ways.