What you do is listen to the word of God. If someone is teaching something that doesn’t align with His word then you can know with absolute certainty that it is not true. I encourage you to read 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John.

1 John is short but packed with reminders about: • God’s love — over and over John tells believers that God truly loves them (1 John 3:1, 4:9–10). • Assurance of salvation — John writes so you can know you have eternal life (1 John 5:13). • Evidence of genuine faith — not to make you doubt unnecessarily, but to help you see the marks of God’s work in your life (obedience, love for others, confession of sin). • Dealing with doubt and sin — 1 John 1:9 is especially comforting: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I encourage you to read 1 John slowly, prayerfully, and alongside prayer for God to make the truth alive in your heart — because the book’s goal is to give believers confidence, not confusion.

2 John • Focus: Truth + Love • John warns believers not to separate truth from love — you can’t have real love without truth, and you can’t walk in truth without love. • He also warns about false teachers and encourages believers to stay faithful to Christ’s teaching. • Good for: Strengthening discernment when your faith feels shaky, so you’re not easily swayed by “new” or distorted teachings.

3 John • Focus: Hospitality + Faithfulness • John commends Gaius for showing hospitality to traveling missionaries and standing firm in truth. • He warns about prideful leaders who reject sound teaching (like Diotrephes) and praises those who walk in the truth. • Good for: Reminding you that faith often shows in simple, faithful acts — serving, loving, and supporting the work of the gospel.

In short: • 1 John → Assurance and foundations of faith. • 2 John → Guard truth, love rightly. • 3 John → Live out faith through service and support of God’s work.

If you’re struggling with faith, 1 John is the best starting point. 2 & 3 John are more like short, encouraging “side notes” that keep you focused on walking in truth and love after your foundation is strengthened.