THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (one Who will intercede for us) with the Father–[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father's will in every purpose, thought, and action].

2 And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

3 And this is how we may discern [daily, by experience] that we are coming to know Him [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments).

4 Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him.

5 But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him: 6 Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. 1 John 2:1-6 AMP

The way you know that you are getting to know the Lord more and more is because you keep His commandments; you do what He tells you to do; you conform to the Father’s will in purpose, thought, and action. Many people want God to speak to them by His Spirit, but they do not listen or obey when He speaks to them through His Word!

When you are a new Christian, the primary way you come to know God is through His Word. The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals the truths of God’s Word to you and helps you to understand it. As you walk in the ways God has ordained for you, you will grow and mature in your love walk – you are an imitator of Jesus Christ and you walk and conduct yourself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

But you have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from] the Holy one, and you all know [the Truth] or you know all things.

21 I write to you not because you are ignorant and do not perceive and know the Truth, but because you do perceive and know it, and [know positively] that nothing false (no deception, no lie) is of the Truth.

22 Who is [such a] liar as he who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)? He is the antichrist (the antagonist of Christ), who [habitually] denies and refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son.

23 No one who [habitually] denies (disowns) the Son even has the Father. Whoever confesses (acknowledges and has) the Son has the Father also.

24 As for you, keep in your hearts what you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the first dwells and remains in you, then you will dwell in the Son and in the Father [always].

25 And this is what He Himself has promised us–the life, the eternal [life].

26 I write this to you with reference to those who would deceive you [seduce and lead you astray].

27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].

28 And now, little children, abide (live, remain permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have and enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed and shrink from Him at His coming.

29 If you know (perceive and are sure) that He [Christ] is [absolutely] righteous [conforming to the Father's will in purpose, thought, and action], you may also know (be sure) that everyone who does righteously [and is therefore in like manner conformed to the divine will] is born (begotten) of Him [God]. 1 John 2:20-29 AMP

The name “Christ” means “Anointed One,” so “anti-Christ” means anti – or against – the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anti-Christ spirit is opposed to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is opposed to who they are and also everything that they are doing. The anointing is the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit. You cannot say that you are listening to the Holy Spirit if you are against everything He says and does.

The proof that you hear and obey the Holy Spirit is that you honor, respect, and obey Him. If you submit to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will teach you His Truth and also cause you also to recognize the Truth or the lie when you see them. The Holy Spirit will teach you all the things you need to know to live a successful life in God, here on the earth. When you give the Holy Spirit place in your life by your honor, respect and obedience, you will walk in the Truth of God’s Word and in all the blessings of God.