A section of the Bible that I have often been confused about when reading is I John 1:26-27. It says, “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.” (ESV)
What does it mean that “you have no need that anyone should teach you?” On the surface this almost seems to advocate an extreme sort of isolationist mysticism where it is just me and the Holy Spirit, with no one teaching the believer except the Holy Spirit doing so directly. But how would that make sense with the rest of scripture?
I found some great help on this question from a commentary by Simon Kistemaker. He writes,
“Is John intimating that the anointing with the Holy Spirit makes instruction in biblical knowledge superfluous? Of course not! In the words of the Great Commission Jesus instructs the apostles (and by implication all of those who proclaim the Word) to teach learners all that Jesus has commanded (Matt. 28:20). Effective preaching of the Word, faithful teaching in Sunday school or catechism class, and daily reading of the Scriptures – all this is necessary for the spiritual growth of the Christian. Then what is John saying? The believers have no need of deceivers who try to teach false doctrine. They have the gift of the Holy Spirit who leads them in all truth.” (John 16:13) [James and I-III John, New Testament Bible Commentary, Simon J. Kistemaker, 1986. Baker Book House Company. p.285]
The Holy Spirit plays a huge role in teaching us, but he operates through the teaching, and preaching of Scripture. Taken in context, we can better understand that the “anyone” whose teaching we have “no need” of are those who teach false doctrine.