No need to be taught - 1 John 2:26-27

"These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him." (1 John 2:26-27)

The original Greek tends to indicate that the goal of these heretics is more nefarious than simple deception. The Greek word means to seduce or to lead astray. There is an attempt not only to deceive us in regards to the truth, but also to seduce us from the good and right way; to cause us to wander from the truth in our behavior and the conversation of our life. The goal is not deception but alienation from God and His Kingdom.

One of the common hallmarks of heresy is its private revelation and the need for initiation into their company and belief. This often means the study and adoption of teaching from their founder or someone they claim to be enlightened with special revelation. It comes from the belief that, apart from them, there is no real spirituality or salvation of any kind or measure. To be truly spiritual you must be one of them and you must be taught by them. However, the scriptures has promised, "this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them." (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

The knowledge of God is not limited to a select elite or to those who have reached some special level of spirituality. All may know the Lord, all may know His Christ. We are not dependent on someone teaching us the knowledge of God for He Himself will teach us of Himself. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." (John 14:25-26) The Holy Spirit Himself teaches us the knowledge of God and to know God. Why, then, is there a need for another?

Whenever anyone places their knowledge or their revelation between us and the knowledge of God, we should run! Their teachings are not that of Christ and their motives are not for our best interests. We must not be quick to abandon what we have learned, to leave the truth that has been taught us by the Holy Spirit. If we abide in His word and hold fast to His teachings then we will also abide in Him and not be seduced into error. Jesus reminded us, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32) Don't let anyone take you captive through their special or private revelations. Let us remain free in the truth of Christ.

David Robison