I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Let us consider 1John 3:4-10.

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.  And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.  No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.  Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.  (New American Standard Bible)

B.      If this passage is taken out of context, one might believe that it teaches:

                                                             1.      Christians are incapable of sinning, and …

                                                             2.      No one who commits a sin can be a Christian.

C.      If this passage is wrongly applied, one might believe:

                                                             1.      A Christian will never sin, or …

                                                             2.      It is impossible to meet the requirements for being a Christian.

D.      Therefore, we must be careful to consider this passage in its correct context and apply it correctly.

II.      PRACTICING SIN VS. COMMITTING SIN

A.      One important element in the context of 1John is that it was written partly to combat the false doctrine of Gnosticism.

                                                             1.      Gnosticism is a philosophy that teaches salvation through special knowledge (gnosis).

a.       The Gnostics believe that the material world is inherently evil and that the immaterial, spiritual world is good.

b.       Gnostics teach that within man is a spark of the divine and that those who are awakened to this knowledge will be able to escape to the spiritual world at death.

                                                             2.      In the first century, Gnosticism was a developing philosophy, and some of its teachers attempted to incorporate Christ into their doctrine.

a.       These denied that Jesus was the divine Son of God who had come in the flesh.

i.         Some said that the Spirit of Christ had come upon the man Jesus for a time but departed before the crucifixion.

ii.        Others taught that Christ only appeared to have a physical body but in truth did not.

b.       These false teachings affected some early Christians and required a response by gospel defenders, such as John and Paul (see Colossians).

                                                             3.      The practical effects of Gnosticism on personal conduct and ethics vary.

a.       One variation of Gnosticism calls for severe treatment of the body because the body is of the material universe and is therefore evil.

b.       Another variation teaches that one may embrace sensuality and immorality because the deeds done in the flesh cannot affect the spirit of man.

c.        It is this latter practice that John addressed in 1John 3:4-10.

B.      If one makes his life into a practice of sin because of Gnosticism or for any other reason, John’s writing reveals that it is impossible for him to be in Christ.

                                                             1.      English translations vary, but the correct message regarding sin conveyed in 1John 3:4-10 pertains to a continual practice of sin, not a one-time commission of sin.

a.       This is understood when one considers that John presents two possible ways (practices) of life in verses 7, 8, and 10: the practice of righteousness and the practice of sin.

b.       It is obvious that John’s scope is not limited to a single action, but rather he considers the full conduct of a person’s life.

                                                             2.      The continual practices and habits of a person’s life reveal his true origin and allegiance.

a.       The one who practices righteousness is “born of God”, and God’s “seed abides in him” (1John 3:7,9,10).

b.       The one who practices sin is “of the devil” (1John 3:8,10; John 8:37-41) and therefore cannot be in Christ (1John 3:6).

C.      However, those who are in Christ must understand that they do commit single acts of sin from time to time.

                                                             1.      “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1John 1:8).

a.       This was written to and applies to faithful Christians who have fellowship with the Father and the Son (1John 1:3).

b.       The sins considered here are the occasional, isolated acts of sin and not a continual practice or habit of sin, for Christians “walk in the light” and “practice the truth” (1John 1:6-7).

                                                             2.      Christians must be careful to handle these isolated acts of sin correctly lest they become practices of sin.

a.       “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9).

b.       Along with this confession, a Christian must be certain that he repents of this sin and continues his walk in the light rather than converting to a walk in the darkness.

III.   TO SIN OR NOT TO SIN

A.      Understanding that Christians are vulnerable to commit sin, we must be more diligent to prepare ourselves against the possibility.

                                                             1.      Rather than willfully committing an act of sin while planning on a later confession and repentance, it is God’s will that we do not sin at all.

                                                             2.      The words of John were written “that you may not sin” (1John 2:1).  Therefore, let us consider the word of God that we may avoid sin altogether.

B.      Know what sin is.

                                                             1.      Sin is lawlessness (1John 3:4), which means to act in a lawless way or without regard to law.

                                                             2.      Sin is an offense against God (Psalm 51:4).

                                                             3.      Sin is a victory for Satan.  It undermines the very purpose of Christ’s coming (1John 3:8).

C.      Know what sin does.

                                                             1.      Consider the burden of sin described in Psalm 38.

                                                             2.      Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34).

                                                             3.      Sin separates us from God and forms an impenetrable barrier to Him (Isa. 59:1-2).

D.      Know what is sinful.

                                                             1.      Train yourself by study and practice to recognize what is good and evil (Heb. 5:14).

                                                             2.      Examine everything carefully before embracing it (1Thess. 5:21-22).

E.       Know that there is a way out.

                                                             1.      God always provides a way of escape that you may endure every temptation (1Cor. 10:13).

                                                             2.      Understanding that the way of escape exists, be diligent to find it in every temptation.

F.       Do not be careless.  It is a path to sin.

                                                             1.      Be careful what you do and where you go.  Use your time wisely (Eph. 5:15-17).

                                                             2.      Guard your heart as a precious treasure (Prov. 4:23-27).

                                                             3.      Remember that the devil is a prowling lion seeking whom he may devour (1Pet. 5:8)

G.      Have vision.  See beyond the immediate gratification when you are tempted.

                                                             1.      Consider how the young man of Proverbs 7:6-23 may have chosen differently if he had looked beyond the present promise of pleasure.

                                                             2.      Consider the temporary nature of the world that offers to indulge you verses the eternal life offered by God (1John 2:17).  These are the choices before you when you are tempted to sin.

H.      Consider the sacrifice of Christ.

                                                             1.      Those who know of the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice and forsake Him for the pleasures of sin are said to “again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame” (Heb. 5:4-6).

                                                             2.      One temptation to sin may be appealing, but can it be worth humiliating the Lord who died to save you?

IV.    CONSIDER YOURSELF CAREFULLY

A.      All Christians are occasionally guilty of individual, one-time sins.  We can still “walk in the light.” (1John 1:7)

B.      However, if you are abiding in a continual practice of sin, you are “of the devil” according to the Scriptures.

C.      Repent, confess, and ask for God’s forgiveness.