Don't Be Deceived (1 John 3:7-8)

Little children, make sure no one deceives 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, to destroy the works of the devil.
(1 John 3:7-8, NASB)

We live in a world of deceivers. Politicians. Corporations.

And now, it seems, our schools. They seem to be changing history. They teach evolution as fact, but creation can’t even be taught as a theory. They allow “free thinking,” but don’t be caught praying in class.

But even more tragic? Our churches. Tolerance has morphed into compromise which then becomes acceptance. I’m all for loving my neighbor, and I’m a huge proponent of loving the sinner, yet hating the sin. And if one is not a follower of Jesus, then I say, “Live and let live—as long as they’re not hurting someone or breaking the law.”

HOWEVER …

If one says he’s a follower of Jesus, yet practices sin … well then, I do have an issue with that. If one picks and chooses what she believes in the Bible in order to legitimize her sin … Now I know the Bible says, “Judge not, lest you be judged” (Matt. 7:1), but it also gives guidelines for how to redeem a sinning brother. (See Matt. 18:15-20.)

John makes it very clear in today’s verses. Those who practice, who live in habitual sin of any kind, are of the devil. You cannot serve two masters. (I know, I’m taking literary license with Matt. 6:24 and Luke 16:13 as Jesus was talking about God and money. However, I think He’d be the first to say that we cannot serve both God and anything. He has to be our one and only Master.)

If you’re practicing sin, then please confess it. And then “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Don’t be deceived by this world. Don’t be deceived by even those who call themselves Christians, yet compromise God’s word.

Instead, practice righteousness. Pray that God will help you to more and more like Christ. Pray that you’ll exude the fruit of the Spirit. (See Galatians 5:22.) Practice those things that will please God.

In the end? That’s all that matters.