Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 John 4:6

"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." — 1 John 4:6 (ASV)

We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Those who accept the apostolic teaching prove that they are of God. There are some nowadays who say, "We accept the teaching of the Gospels, but we will have nothing to do with the apostles and their Epistles"; thus they clearly show that they are not of God, for John says, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, He that knows God hears us; he that is not of God does not hear us.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. (1 John 4:6)

The apostles spoke as men sent from God, for the Spirit of God dwelt in them; and they alone know the truth who keep to what has been revealed to us through his holy apostles and prophets.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. (1 John 4:5)

These false prophets teach doctrines that suit carnal men: They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world. They take their cue from "the spirit of the age." They speak according to the fashion of the world, and therefore it is no wonder that the world hears them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.

Here is an inspired answer to those who say that they attach no importance to the apostles. They profess to be the followers of Christ, but they say that they do not agree with Paul and with John.

Very well; John speaks in the name of all the apostles when he says, He that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.

Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

If you reject any part of the Word of God, the spirit of error is within you. Truth is one, and the revelation of God is one; let us not divide it, let us hold fast to it all, and so prove that the Spirit of truth is in us.