Text: 2 John
Big Idea: Guard against deception by holding on to the truth with love
Have you ever been burned by a fake review?
You plan a little weekend getaway. You find a charming bed-and-breakfast online—dozens of glowing five-star reviews: “Best night’s sleep ever!” “The owner is like family!” “We cried when we had to leave!” The pictures look wonderful, the price is right, so you book it.
Friday evening you pull up, step inside, and immediately smell mildew. The walls are paper-thin, so you listen to the couple next door argue until midnight. The “gourmet breakfast” turns out to be two stale bagels and a half-empty tub of cream cheese. You check the reviews again and realize they’re all fake—posted by friends, relatives, or maybe even AI. With 16–40% of online reviews being fake these days, it’s easy to get duped.
Annoying? Absolutely. But the kind of deception John writes about in his letters is far worse, because the stakes aren’t a disappointing hotel stay—they’re eternal.
A Series About Remaining in What’s True
In this series, Living in Light, Love, and Truth, we’re exploring the deep concern the New Testament—and especially the apostle John—has about truth and false teaching. The early church faced many religious-sounding messages that misused Scripture and subtly lured people away from Jesus. That danger hasn’t disappeared. If we want to be a church that shines the light of Christ, we must be confident in the truth and committed to walking in love.
We are light in the world when we remain in the truth and walk in love.
The Situation Behind 2 John
In 1 John, we saw that false teachers were offering “fake reviews” of Jesus—claiming He was a good teacher but not God, or that He only appeared human, or that “the Christ” left Him before the crucifixion. John calls such teachers deceivers and antichrists.
2 John builds on this. Whether it served as a cover letter to 1 John or as a response to a specific report, the purpose is clear: warn the church (“the chosen lady and her children”) about persuasive traveling teachers denying the incarnation of Jesus.
John answers this threat by reminding believers to cling to two things that must always stay together: truth and love.
Walking Through 2 John
1. The Joy of Walking in the Truth (vv. 1–4)
John begins by expressing genuine affection for this church family—he loves them “in the truth,” and so do all who know the truth. For John, truth is not mere information; it is a way of life grounded in God’s revelation through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This truth abides in us and shapes how we live.
His greatest joy? Hearing that some of this church’s members are “walking in the truth.” They aren’t just claiming to follow Jesus—they truly are.
A healthy church is marked by people who live out what they say they believe.
That is my prayer for Bethlehem.
2. Keep Walking in Love (vv. 5–6)
Just as in 1 John, the apostle reminds them of the old command to love one another. Love, in Scripture, is defined not merely as affection but as obedience—doing what God commands. True love gives life to others.
And truth and love are inseparable.
- Truth without love becomes harsh legalism.
- Love without truth becomes sentimental compromise.
Real Christian community requires both grace and guidance, compassion and conviction.
3. Watch Out for Deceivers (vv. 7–9)
John identifies the central false teaching: denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. The incarnation—God becoming fully human in Jesus—is essential to salvation, redemption, and God’s purpose in the world.
To deny this is to step into the spirit of antichrist.
John urges the church to watch themselves so they don’t lose what faithful believers have worked for. Our task is not to invent a new foundation but to remain in the apostolic gospel:
Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh to rescue us from sin, Satan, and death.
Stay true to that truth.
4. Do Not Receive False Teachers (vv. 10–11)
John gives a strong instruction: don’t welcome or encourage anyone denying the incarnation. In that culture, hospitality meant support and partnership. To offer lodging or blessing to a false teacher was to participate in their deception.
This wasn’t unloving—it was love.
- Love for God (because false teachers misrepresent His Son).
- Love for people (because false teaching destroys lives).
While our situation today is different, the principle remains:
Be careful who you platform, quote, or trust in spiritual matters.
5. A Warm Conclusion (vv. 12–13)
John hopes to speak face-to-face soon. Truth matters deeply, but so do relationships. Christian faithfulness is always a combination of both.
Conclusion: Truth and Love Keep Us Steady
John gives the church two positive commands and one strong warning:
1. Hold tightly to the truth about Jesus—fully God, fully man.
2. Love God by loving each other well.
3. Do not give your support or attention to those who deny the truth about Christ.
Our world overflows with spiritual counterfeits—ideas that almost sound Christian, but subtly pull us away from Jesus. The best defense is not suspicion, but devotion. Truth steadies us. Love strengthens us. Together they form a life—and a community—that shines with the light of King Jesus.
A Challenge for Reflection
Ask yourself:
- Am I walking in truth? (Does my daily life match what I believe?)
- Am I walking in love? (Do I show patience, kindness, and forgiveness?)
- Am I careful about the voices I listen to and share?
Self-evaluation is a key part of discipleship. It shows us where we need to grow and how we can pray.
May we be a people who hold tightly to truth, walk boldly in love, and shine with the light of King Jesus.If you want, I can also create a Facebook post, a pull-quote graphic, or a shorter “reflection” version for readers who skim.
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