The early church faced the same issues and schisms over false teachings that we face today. Fragile churches are left damaged and heartbroken. The Apostle John wrote his letters to bring the church back to clarity of faith and unity. 

He writes that the whole world lies under the misery and influence of the Evil One. But our understanding was made alive so that we could know by experience the One who is true. We are in Him who is true, God’s Son, Jesus Christ—the true God. John wrote, “…keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts” (I John 5: 18-21). 

We are to guard ourselves from worshipping anything but Him. He will graciously identify anything in our hearts that takes precedence over Him, anything that proves to be false. 

John was specific in his warning of teachers who were saying Jesus the Messiah did not come in the flesh or experience a physical resurrection. John named them as antichrists and defined their teachings as acts of deception. 

He warns the church to be on guard. If someone came into their fellowship (a house church) claiming to be a true believer but speaking and teaching a false message about Jesus, the impression was given that they had a platform and were validated. He writes, “Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement” (II John 1:8, 10).

We need to be diligent in establishing boundaries to prevent us from naively accepting the message of a deceiver who is not teaching the truth about Jesus. Boundaries are evidence of the Lordship of Jesus. We are not protecting Jesus. But we are honoring Him and protecting the truth about Him. 

We desire that nothing takes God’s place in our hearts. We desire clarity and unity with our believing brothers and sisters. Darkness and light are not compatible. We will distance ourselves from those who teach deception and distortion of the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. That is something worth protecting at all costs.