1 John 2:21 - No Lie Is of the Truth
John writes to believers who had already been taught the truth concerning Jesus Christ. His purpose was not merely to introduce something new, but to strengthen them in what they already knew, especially as they faced false teachers who were attempting to deceive them.
“Because Ye Know the Truth”
John reminds his readers that they possess knowledge of the truth. In the preceding verse he says:
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” — 1 John 2:20, KJV
This does not mean believers possess unlimited knowledge. In context, John is emphasizing their ability to recognize the fundamental truth concerning Christ in contrast with the false teaching being introduced among them.
Truth must therefore become the standard by which teaching is examined.
We should not accept a teaching simply because it sounds spiritual, comes from a persuasive speaker, or is widely accepted. It must agree with the truth God has revealed.
“No Lie Is of the Truth”
This statement establishes an important principle:
Truth and falsehood do not originate from the same source.
A lie does not become truth because it is popular.
A lie does not become truth because it is repeated.
A lie does not become truth because it is spoken by someone with religious influence.
And a small amount of truth mixed with error does not make the error trustworthy.
John immediately identifies the particular deception troubling his readers:
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?” — 1 John 2:22, KJV
The central issue was the identity of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, biblical discernment must always ask:
What does this teaching say about Jesus Christ?
Truth Requires Discernment
John repeatedly warns believers about deception.
Later he writes:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God...” — 1 John 4:1, KJV
Christians are not commanded to believe every spiritual claim. We are commanded to test what we hear.
This agrees with Isaiah 8:20:
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
Spiritual experiences, dreams, visions, prophecies, signs, traditions, and teachings must never be allowed to replace the authority of God's revealed truth.
Personal Application
First John 2:21 challenges us to become people who know the truth well enough to recognize error.
Discernment grows when we remain in God's Word.
Do not merely ask:
“Does this sound good?”
Ask:
“Is it true?”
Do not merely ask:
“Who said it?”
Ask:
“Does it agree with Scripture?”
Do not merely ask:
“How many people believe it?”
Ask:
“What has God said?”
When we know the truth, we become less vulnerable to teachings that merely resemble truth.
Key Truth
Truth does not need a lie to strengthen it, and a lie cannot become truth by being mixed with religious language. God's people must know the truth, remain in the truth, and test every teaching by the truth revealed in God's Word.
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