1 John – Testing to Know – Test 2 Part C

Test # 2 – Relationship with Sin – Continued

In our last post we considered verse 9 under the topic of our relationship with sin.  Let’s continue with verse 10.

1 John 1:8 – 10
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Living in Denial

Take note that this denial is different than the first condition.  The first dealt with a denial of the nature of the believer.  No sin existed in the believer.  The result was the loss of truth experienced in the life of the believer – no small issue!!!

This denial is regarding individual acts of sin in the believers life.  This is the condition I fear I fall into far too often.

I feel a story would be best to illustrate this point.

My wife and I were seeking to witness to Don and his girlfriend and were developing a great relationship with them.  We would get together on Friday nights and play cards, or some board game, and have a hoot of a time.

One night, as the competition rose around the table, I made a critical mistake in laying down a wrong card, losing the game.

Out came a foul word.  Don had never heard me swear before and he instantly picked up on it!

I denied it.  We argued about it. This is where things fell apart.

I needed to confess this sin in front of them, admitting I did wrong.  But I didn’t – My self righteous attitude clung to a lie, and because of that, I lost an opportunity to share the Master with Don. If I had confessed immediately, I could have shared of the mercy of God in providing this solution, but I preferred to defend my hypocrisy instead of exalt my Master.  What is wrong with me?

We remained friends, and I believe I eventually admitted to my sin to Don.  But I learned that my old man was very much alive and kicking, even in the effort to serve our Risen Savior.

Keep short accounts with the Lord.  Do not deny the sin, but seek a humble spirit to always be ready to admit to a sinful act.

I hope you found a truth that was helpful in your life within this post.  Drop me a line, or send this post to a friend that you thought of recently.

Follow Considering the Bible on WordPress.com