Daily Bible Study—1 John 1:8

"If we claim that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8




A1 Outline


A2 Notes 1 John 1:8

B1 Words

C1 Claim

D1 The Greek word means say. This is the common word as in "Jesus said."

D2 The EMTV translates it as claim, because saying "I have no sin" is obviously not so.

C2 Sin

D1 The Greek word is amartia.

D2 It is "missing the mark." The mark or target is God's law.

D3 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4, EMTV)

D4 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. (1 John 5:17, EMTV)

D5 Sin comes in two forms.

E1 In ignorance. This is the person did not know. It could also been done in a mistake or even accidentally.

E2 In full knowledge. This is in defiance. God has stated that stealing is wrong, but if one doesn't care what God says, then steals. It is in defiance.

D6 No matter how committed, there is a penalty which must be paid. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, EMTV)

B2 No sin does not refer to original sin but to sin after conversion. Proverbs 20:9, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 64:6. Compare John 9:21. We are all sinners. Sin is repulsive to us and God.

C1 There are 2 effects of denying our sin.

D1 We are deceived.

E1 Not facing reality.

E2 Not being humble.

E3 Not believing the truth.

D2 The truth is not in us.

E1 Truth is incredibly important to God.

E2 Truth not in us doesn't mean we have no truth or are totally ignorant of truth. It means that we are not acknowledging what is true.

D3 Any group or person who denies sin is truly deceived and lacking the truth. There are teachers and pastors who teach not to use the word sin or redefine what sin is.

D4 Jesus is the only man who never sinned. John 14:30, Hebrews 4:15

C2 The results of denying sin.

D1 Deceived

D2 Will receive punishment for sin. Ignoring it will not be of any use.

D3 Hardens the heart. The conscious becomes less responsive to guilt.

A3 Questions

B1 Why would anyone claim to have no sin?

B2 Is deceiving ourselves worse than deceiving others?

B3 Is knowing the truth important?

B4 How can we know the truth?

B5 What is the standard for truth, that is, how can we know what is true or false?