(Photo by Aneta Hartmannová on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 86, we are going to study 1 John 3:7.
Let’s read the verse.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
Little children (5040. teknion) — is a tender term of affection used by John to address believers as members of God’s family. It emphasizes spiritual kinship, care, dependence, and loving pastoral concern.
Let no one (3367. médeis, médemia, méden) — Means no one whatsoever; not even one person.
Deceive (4105. planaó) — Means to lead astray, mislead, or cause someone to wander from truth or moral uprightness.
You (4771. su) — Means you all, the believers being addressed.
The one who (3588. ho, hé, to) — Means the person who.
Practices (4160. poieó) — Means to do, practice, or carry out habitually.
Righteousness (1343. dikaiosuné) — Means uprightness, or conduct that conforms to God’s holy standard and is approved by Him.
Is (1510. eimi) righteous (1342. dikaios) — means is upright, or just before God.
Just as (2531. kathos) — Means in the same manner as or according to the pattern of.
He (1565. ekeinos) — means “That one,” referring to Christ; a term John often uses to refer emphatically to Jesus.
Is (1510. eimi) righteous (1342. dikaios) — means is perfectly just, and morally pure.
In other words, believers, you who are members of God’s family and are deeply loved, do not let anyone lead you astray from the truth or from moral uprightness. The person who habitually practices righteousness by living in a way that conforms to God’s holy standard and is approved by Him demonstrates that he is righteous before God, just as Christ is perfectly righteous and morally pure.
This verse starts with the term “Little children.” John uses this term seven times in his letter. This shows his shepherd’s heart. He desires to protect believers by warning them about danger. True love warns others about spiritual danger.
Then he continues by saying, “let no one deceive you” John wants believers to pay close attention because false teachers were distorting foundational truths of the Christian faith.
These teachers minimized sin and claimed fellowship with God while continuing in sin. They elevated spiritual knowledge over obedience, treating sin as insignificant. John warns believers against any teaching that separates true faith from righteous living.
This can be an appealing message because we all have a sin nature. If we are deceived by such teaching, we may be led into a careless or unrepentant pattern of sin.
Deceptive teaching often minimizes the importance of holiness and obedience.
John then continues, “the one who practices righteousness is righteous.” A true believer will practice what is right. This becomes a continual pattern of life. However, John is not teaching sinless perfection.
John rejects the idea that a person can continue in a settled pattern of sin and still truly belong to Christ.
Righteous living is not the cause of salvation, but it is evidence of salvation. Works do not justify a person, but a justified person will produce good works. Jesus said that “a good tree produces good fruit.” (Matthew 7:17)
When someone is born again, their life begins to change. They will grow in righteousness because Christ lives in them. As God dwells within us, His presence produces a transforming righteousness in our lives.
As you follow Christ, you will be progressively conformed into the image of Christ.
Finally, John says, “just as He is righteous.” Christ is perfectly righteous, and in Him there is no sin. He is both the source and standard of righteousness. Those who are born of Him will reflect His righteousness.
Take a look at your life. Are you listening to deceptive teaching that encourages you to live in sin and neglect obedience to God? If so, turn away from it. Change what you consume. Pursue righteousness and obedience by abiding in Christ and depending fully on Him.
Let’s take a look at some verses that support this verse.
In Colossians 2:8, Paul warns, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception.” This is a call for you to stay spiritually alert to the teaching that influences your life. This false teaching is rooted in human tradition and the elementary principles of the world, not in Christ. It reflects worldly thinking that stands opposed to Him. You must be careful not to be pulled away from a Christ-centered foundation by anything that sounds wise but is ultimately empty.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
In Ephesians 2:8-10, we learn that salvation is by God’s grace through faith, not something we earn. It is the gift of God, not by works, so no one can boast. You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared in advance for you to walk in. These good works do not save you, but they do show the reality of genuine faith.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
In 1 Peter 2:21-22, we read that Christ committed no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth. This means He is perfectly righteous. You are called to follow His example. You are to walk in His footsteps, even in suffering. Christ is both your Savior and your model for a righteous life.
1 Peter 2:21-22 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
In conclusion, John is warning you to be continually aware of those that are around you to deceive you into thinking that practicing righteousness is not necessary. However, that is not the case. When you are practicing righteousness, you are showing everyone around you that you are following Christ and that He is living within you.
Let’s review the key takeaways, from the cross references we studied.
Be spiritually alert to the teaching that influences your life. (Colossians 2:8)
God saves you by grace and prepares good works for you to walk in. A follower of Christ will live out these good works. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Christ committed no sin and no deceit was in His mouth. He is your example of walking in righteousness. (1 Peter 2:21-22)
Be encouraged, when you believe in Christ, you are born again. The Holy Spirit lives within you and will guide you into all truth. Ask Him for wisdom and direction. He will empower you to walk in righteousness and help protect you from deception.
Here is a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson:
Father, thank You for saving me by Your grace through faith in Christ and for giving me Your Holy Spirit. Help me to be spiritually alert and not deceived. Guide me into truth, strengthen me to walk in righteousness, and keep my life centered on Jesus. In His name, amen.
Let’s read our verse, one more time.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
