(Photo by Noel Jiménez 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 87, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 3:8
Let’s read this part of the verse:
1 John 3:8 The one who practices sin is of the devil…
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
The one who (3588. ho, hé, to) — is the person being described.
practices (4160. poieó) — Means to do or carry out as a repeated or defining pattern of action.
sin (266. hamartia) — means missing God’s standard or law.
is (1510. eimi) — means to be, expressing identity or condition.
of (1537. ek or ex) — means from, indicating source, origin, or association.
the (3588. ho, hé, to) devil. (1228. diabolos) — means the slanderer, accuser, or destroyer. This is a title for Satan, God’s adversary.
In other words, the person who carries out and practices sin as a repeated and defining pattern of life has an identity that is rooted in the source or association of that behavior. That source is the devil, who is the accuser, the slanderer, the destroyer, and God’s adversary.
Throughout this letter, John presents sharp contrasts between light and darkness, truth and deception, love and hatred. He wants people to understand that genuine fellowship with God results in a transformed life.
In this part of the verse, John speaks about the one who “practices sin.” This refers to an ongoing, habitual pattern of sinfulness. It describes a lifestyle marked by continual rebellion against God’s commandments and a settled practice of disobedience.
John is not speaking about Christians who struggle with sin, hate it, and repent. Believers may fall into sin, but sin does not define their identity or characterize the overall direction of their life. A true believer desires to walk in obedience to God.
Scripture presents two spiritual families: the family of God and the family of the devil. These are revealed by a person’s nature, conduct, and allegiance. Whoever a person continually obeys reveals the kingdom to which they belong.
Sin entered the world in the garden of Eden through Satan’s deception and distortion of God’s Word. In the same way, a person who is “of the devil” rejects God’s truth and embraces lies rather than submitting to God.
A life characterized by continual, unrepentant sin demonstrates a lack of genuine fellowship with Christ and reveals spiritual alignment with the devil. Therefore, a person may outwardly profess faith, yet if their life continually reflects the pattern of the devil, their profession is shown to be false.
Let’s review some verses that support John’s teaching that those who practice sin are of the devil.
In John 8:44 we read about Jesus who was confronting a group of Jews who claimed to know God, but their spiritual condition doesn’t match their profession. Jesus is speaking about a continual rejection of the truth and hatred toward Christ. This shows that they are aligned with the devil.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
In Galatians 5:19-21, we see what a life dominated by the flesh looks like. A person whose life is characterized by the continual practice of these sins shows evidence of being outside the kingdom of God. Rather than belonging to Christ’s kingdom, they are following the ways of the devil’s kingdom.
Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In Ephesians 2:1-2, we read about what a person’s life looks like before becoming a child of God. They were spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins. They walked according to the ways of this world and followed the ruler of the power of the air, referring to the devil. Satan is the spirit now working in those who live in disobedience to God.
Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
In conclusion, a person whose life is marked by continual, unrepentant sin shows evidence that they are not part of the kingdom of God, but are following the ways of the devil.
You cannot live in perpetual rebellion against God and claim to be born again into His family.
Let’s review the key takeaways from the cross references we studied.
A person who is of the devil desires to carry out his sinful desires and rejects the truth of Christ. (John 8:44)
A person whose life is characterized by the works of the flesh shows evidence of being outside the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
A person who is spiritually dead walks according to the ways of this world and under the influence of Satan. (Ephesians 2:1-2)
As a Christian, you will still struggle with temptation and sin in your fallen flesh. But, be encouraged, because when you do sin, this does not mean you belong to the devil. True believers battle against sin and continue turning back to Christ in repentance and faith. As you abide in Christ and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit, He will continue transforming you to grow in holiness. Keep abiding in Christ. Keep confessing your sins. Keep trusting in Him and walking in obedience. He loves you.
Here’s a prayer to help you to respond to today’s lesson:
Father, thank You for Your truth and for sending Jesus Christ, who is perfectly righteous. Help me not to be deceived by false teaching or drawn toward sinful living. Strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit to walk in obedience, practice righteousness, and reflect the character of Christ in my daily life. Keep my heart centered on You and help me grow in holiness each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s read our verse, one more time.
1 John 3:8 The one who practices sin is of the devil…
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
