No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

1 John 2:23-25

The false teachers of John’s day insisted that Jesus didn’t really come as a man and deny His crucifixion and resurrection. Others taught that Jesus was a divine being that brought knowledge to mankind. Neither description fits with what Scripture tells us about Jesus.

The religions of the world today make the same kinds of claims. Some will use the name of Jesus, but deny the essence of the Son of God. Paul addressed this kind of teaching in his letter to the Galatians –

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1: 6-9

On the other hand, for those who embrace the true faith of the Gospel, John has an encouraging message –

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.

1 John 2:26-28

Lean on the truth and abide.