1 JOHN 3:4–10 - 4 REASONS WHY TRUE CHRISTIANS CANNOT HABITUALLY PRACTICE SIN

The primary aim of this section is to combat false teachers who are corrupting the fundamentals of the faith. These verses further amplify, reiterate and emphasize the moral test already presented by John (see 2:3–6,7–11). Verses 4–10 convey that genuine believers practice righteousness, while vv. 11–24 relate that genuine believers practice love toward fellow believers. John was very concerned that Christians know how to tell the true from the false; the genuine from the artificial; true believers from false ones. He presents tests here and throughout this letter to help determine the validity of anybody’s claims to be a Christian.

These verses deal with the Christian’s incompatibility with sin. The false teachers that John combated, because of their gnostic-like concepts discounted the significance of sin and the need for obedience. Because of their philosophical dualism, they viewed matter as inherently bad, and as a result, any sins committed in the physical realm as inconsequential.

John 8:31,34–36; Rom. 6:11; 2 John 9

1. v4 The first reason why Christians cannot practice sin is because sin is incompatible with the law of God which they love ( 119:34,77,97; Rom. 7:12,22).

3:4 commits sin. The verb, “commits,” in the Greek. conveys the idea of making sin a habitual practice. Although genuine Christians have a sin nature (1:8), and do commit and need to confess sin (1:9; 2:1), that is not the unbroken pattern of their lives. A genuinely born again believer has a built-in check or guard against habitual sinning due to a new nature (“born of God”—v. 9; Rom. 6:12)

sin is lawlessness. The term “lawlessness” conveys more than transgressing God’s law. It conveys the ultimate sense of rebellion, i.e., living as if there was no law or ignoring what laws exist (James 4:17).

2. V5-7 A second reason why Christians cannot practice sin is because it is incompatible with the work of Christ.

3:5 He was manifested to take away our sins

Christ died to sanctify (i.e., make holy) the believer (2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 5:25–27). To sin is contrary to Christ’s work of breaking the dominion of sin in the believer’s life (Rom. 6:1–15).

3:6 does not sin Like the phrase “commits sin” of verse 4, the sense conveyed here is the idea of habitual, constant sinning.

Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. If no check against habitual sin exists in someone who professes to be a Christian, John’s pronouncement is absolutely clear—salvation never took place.

3:7 let no one deceive you. The word “deceive” means “to be lead astray.” Since false teachers were attempting to pervert the fundamentals of the faith, the possibility existed that some Christians might be fooled into accepting what they were advocating. To prevent this deception from occurring, John repeatedly emphasized the basics of Christianity, e.g., the need for obedience, the need for love, and the need for a proper view of Christ

practices righteousness. The genuine believer’s habitual lifestyle of righteousness stands in sharp contrast to those false teachers who practiced sin (cf. vv. 4,6). Since Christ died on the cross to transform sinners, those truly born again have replaced the habit of sin with the habit of righteous living (Rom. 6:13,14).

just as He is righteous. Those who are truly born again reflect the divine nature of the Son. They behave like Him, manifesting the power of His life in them (Gal. 2:20).

3. v8 A third reason why Christians cannot practice sin is because Christ came to destroy the works of the arch-sinner, Satan

3:8 He who sins. This phrase means “who habitually practice sin” (see notes on vv. 4,6).

of the devil. The phrase gives the source of the false teachers’ actions. The term “devil” means “accuser” or “slanderer.” Not only does Satan (“adversary”) oppose God and his plan, but is the originator and instigator of sin and rebellion against God and His law (v. 4; see notes on Eph. 6:10–17). Therefore, all the unsaved are under the diabolic influence of Satan. Their sinful lifestyle reflects their satanic origin (see note on Eph. 2:1). John contrasts the children of God with the children of Satan in terms of their actions. While those who are truly born again reflect the habit of righteousness, Satan’s children practice sin.

from the beginning. Since Satan was originally created as perfect and only later rebelled against God (Is. 14:12–14; Ezek. 28:12–17), John probably means the moment of his rebellion against God, the beginning of his rebellious career. Since sin characterizes him completely, so everyone characterized by sin must derive from him (cf. John 8:44).

For this purpose … that He might destroy. The devil is still operating, but he has been defeated and in Christ we escape his tyranny. The day will come when all of Satan’s activity will cease in the universe and he will be sent to hell forever (Rev. 20:10).

works of the devil. This summarizes a variety of the devil’s activities: sin, rebellion, temptation, ruling the world, persecution and accusation of saints, instigation of false teachers, power of death (e.g., Luke 8:12; John 8:44; Acts 5:3; 1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 6:11,12; 1 Thess. 2:18; Heb. 2:14; Rev. 12:10).

4. v9-10 The fourth reason why Christians cannot practice sin is because it is incompatible with the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who has imparted a new nature to the believer

3:9 (John 3:5–8). born of God. John wrote here of the new birth (John 3:7). When people become Christians, God makes them new creatures with new natures (2 Cor. 5:17). Believers have God’s characteristics because they have been born into God’s family. This new nature exhibits the habitual character of righteousness produced by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22–24). John repeats this phrase twice for emphasis.

His seed. The new birth involves the acquisition of a seed, which refers to the principle of life of God imparted to the believer at salvation’s new birth. John uses this image of a planted seed to picture the divine element involved in being born again. See notes on 1 Peter 1:23–25.

1 Peter 1:23 not of corruptible seed. The spiritual life implanted by the Holy Spirit to produce the new birth is unfailing and permanent. through the word of God. The Spirit uses the Word to produce life. It is the truth of the gospel that saves. See note on Rom. 10:17.

1 Peter 1:24,25 Peter enforces his point about the power of the Word to regenerate by quoting from Is. 40:6–8

Is 40:6–8 All flesh … flower fades. Isaiah elaborated on how transitory humanity is: here today, gone tomorrow. People pass away like plants under the hot breath of the withering E wind. James used this illustration to teach the folly of trusting in material wealth (James 1:10,11). Peter used it to illustrate the passing nature of everything related to humanity (1 Pet. 1:24,25).

Is 40:8 the word of our God stands forever. The permanence of God’s word guarantees against any deviation from the divine plan (55:11). He has promised Jerusalem’s deliverance (v. 2) through His coming (vv. 3–5), so it must happen that way (cf. Matt. 5:18; Luke 16:17).

remains. The word conveys the idea of the permanence of the new birth which cannot be reversed, for those who are truly born again are permanently transformed into a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:10).

He cannot sin. This phrase once again conveys the idea of habitual sinning (see vv. 4,6).

3:10 This summary verse is the key to vv. 4–10. Only two kinds of children exist in the world: children of God and children of Satan. No one can belong to both families simultaneously. Either one belongs to God’s family and exhibits His righteous character or one belongs to Satan’s family and exhibits his sinful nature.

3:10b he who does not love his brother. This phrase introduces the readers to the second aspect of the moral test, i.e., the test of love (as in 2:7–11). John develops this thought through vv. 11–24. The false teachers not only had an erroneous view of Christ’s nature and displayed disobedience to God’s commands, but they also displayed a distinct lack of love for true believers, who rejected their heretical teaching.^[1]

Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

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