Understanding 1 John 2:20, 27, (The Anointing, Part One)

I’ve had believers say to me, “I have the anointing, and I don’t need human teachers because the anointing teaches me.” Is this what the passage teaches? Are they correct in their assessment? No, they are not! John says, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know” (1 John 2:20). The context of these words are 1 John 2:18–27. The word “But” is a term of contrast! The contrast is with those who went out from the Body and thus proved they were false believers. In light of this disturbing truth, John directs these remarks to his readers to assure them of their authenticity! In so doing, he explains that his believing readers have an “anointing” to be able to stand against the false, unsound, and seductive lies of the antichrists. John says, “you all know.” The point of this is that John is not teaching the readers new truths but is reminding them of what they already know. This begs the question “Know what?” The truth about Jesus. (See 1 John 2:21). Men were speaking lies about Jesus, about His humanity and/or about His divinity. These crucial doctrines of Jesus remain the focal point of attack of false teachers (and by default Satan). Be encouraged!

Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible teacher & expositor