1 John 2:26-27 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
We need reminders once in a while to keep our eyes open for deceit. The darkness always encroaches when the light is dimmed. The ways of the fallen world around us constantly provides us temptations. These temptations often appeal to our physical needs or instincts. Other temptations will appeal to our pride, self-protection, and self-preservation.
John gives us the way to ward off this deceitful darkness. We have been anointed by God’s presence, the Holy Spirit, who abides in us. The Spirit provides the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13) if we will head the Spirit’s guidance and conviction. We can say No to sin and Yes to the Holy Spirit. This is basic Christian doctrine. John’s readers should have known this. Jesus taught this (see John 15-16). We must give a response to God’s presence and provision by choosing to abide in Christ, to put ourselves before Christ’s in submission and consecration. If we want to ward off the darkness, we must walk in the light. When the light fills our lives, the darkness cannot come in.
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