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1 John 3:4-10 – Misguided Piety
False humility is repugnant – we’ve all seen it, and possibly shown it. Misguided piety is not false humility, but is wrong and unscriptural. And even worse, it is an indictment against God.
What is misguided piety? Preachers, trying to get us to repent emphasize our learned depravity (Eph.2:1-3); and quote scriptures such as Isaiah’s For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment (64:6). Misapplying these truths, sincere saved ones become misguided. Christians say and pray that we sin every minute of every day. While sounding humble and pious, it is utter blasmphemy. Why? That would mean we have not seen God, nor know God (1 Jn.3:6). If we are continually sinning, then Jesus is not righteous (1 Jn.3:7). Instead of being born of God, we are of the devil (1 Jn.3:8-10)
We Christians feel uncomfortable saying we can go even one day without sin, thinking we missed opportunities to do good. That is misguided piety. If we admit our righteousness, we somehow think we’ve become proud. That’s misinformed. We haven’t become proud, we’ve been born of God (1 Jn.3:9). Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn.3:8). Did Jesus fail?
Let’s look at the Amplified Bible’s translation: 4 Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law by transgression or neglect—being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will). 5 You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin essentially and forever]. 6 No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. 7 Boys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness [who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life] is righteous, even as He is righteous. 8 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]. 9 No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm…]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God. 10 By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children: no one who does not practice righteousness [who does not conform to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action] is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ).
Don’t be misguided. We aren’t perfect, but because of God we aren’t that bad anymore either.
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