Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 John 4:6-7

"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. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God." — 1 John 4:6-7 (ASV)

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

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

From the abundance of love that was in John's heart, we might almost be startled at the very strong things he writes against those who are in error, if we did not remember that it is only a false charity that winks at error. He is the most loving man who has honesty enough to tell the truth and to speak out boldly against falsehood.

It is very easy to pass through this world believing and saying that everyone is right. That is the way to make a soft path for your own feet and to show that you only have love for yourself; but sometimes to speak as John the Baptist spoke, or as Martin Luther spoke, is the way to prove that you have true love for others.