I John 3:11-4:6
Dear RTB’ers,
“World”. That one word is mentioned eight times in today’s reading, six of those in the first six verses in chapter 4, three times in just one verse (I John 4:5). For the most part, John applies the “world” to this earthly realm that is not of God, that is under the influence (control, even?) of the devil. The good news in all this is that …He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (v. 4:4b) Another verse put to music…! The world appears three times in one verse, in John’s reference to false prophets: They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. (v. 4:5) The item that troubles me in this verse is that …the world listens to them! People with unperceiving ears, who have not heard the gospel – or certainly have not followed Jesus. They hear “the world” and simply act on their own impulses. This world needs our prayers!
Blessings!
See also:
As I asked multiple times back in 2023: To whom do you listen?