Weekly Devotion
June 8, 2025

Love Is the Test
Reflection on 1 John 4:1–12

There are so many voices out there today telling us what to believe, how to live, and what’s right or wrong. It can feel overwhelming. In 1 John 4:1–12, we’re reminded not to just go along with everything we hear. Instead, we’re encouraged to pause and “test the spirits”—to ask, is this really from God?

That might sound a bit odd at first, but the key is pretty simple: the measure of truth is love. Real love. The kind that reflects who God is.

Verse 8 tells us, “God is love.” That’s a huge statement. And it’s not just about feelings or nice thoughts. It’s about action. God showed His love for us by sending Jesus—His only Son—to give us life. That’s how we know what love really looks like: it looks like Jesus.

At the same time, John warns us that not every message or spiritual-sounding idea is truly from God. Matthew 7:15 says we are to be alert to false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. It’s a reminder to stay grounded in what we know to be true—that Jesus came in the flesh, lived among us, and showed us God’s love in a real, tangible way. That’s a belief that’s echoed all throughout the Bible, like in John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

But John doesn’t stop with belief. He connects what we believe with how we live. He says that if we really know God, we’ll love others. If we don’t love, we don’t truly know Him. That’s challenging! Especially when loving others isn’t always easy. But it’s also freeing because it gives us a clear direction. In 1 Corinthians 13:2 it says, “If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge…but do not have love, I am nothing.” If we’re not sure what to do, love is a good place to start.

Real faith shows up in how we treat people—with kindness, patience, and humility.

The last verse in this passage (v. 12) is so beautiful: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” That means our everyday acts of love—whether it’s listening to someone, forgiving, or helping, can actually help people see God. What an incredible thought.

1 John 4:1–12 reminds us to stay grounded in what’s true and to live that truth out through love. When we measure everything by the love of Jesus and let that shape how we treat others, we reflect God’s presence in the world.

Written by
Jodi Dyck