(Photo by Massimiliano Morosinotto 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 88, we are going to study the second part of 1 John 3:8.
Let’s read this part of the verse:
1 John 3:8…because the devil has been sinning from the very start…
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
Because (3754. hoti) — this word connects the previous part of the verse to this part and gives the reason why the one who practices sin is of the devil.
The (3588. ho, hé, to) devil (1228. diabolos) — means the slanderer or false accuser, specifically referring to Satan.
Has been sinning (264. hamartanó) — means to sin, to miss the mark, or to fail to meet God’s standard.
From (575. apo) — means from, away from, or originating from.
The very start (746. archē) — means the beginning, origin, or commencement.
In other words, the one who continues in sin is of the devil because the devil, who is the slanderer, has been in a continual pattern of missing God’s standard and rebelling against Him from the very beginning.
In the Bible the devil and Satan refer to the same being.
The phrase “has been sinning” emphasizes an ongoing, continual pattern of rebellion that characterizes his activity throughout Scripture, seen in his deception, temptation, accusation, and opposition to God’s truth. This is continuing right now.
“From the very beginning” refers to the origin of his rebellion. It does not suggest that he was created sinful, but that he chose to rebel against God and has remained in that state ever since.
This shows that the devil’s sin is not an occasional failure, but the defining pattern of his existence and activity. From the moment of his rebellion, he has consistently opposed God’s truth and purposes.
Therefore, those who persist in unrepentant sin are aligning themselves with the same rebellious pattern, rather than reflecting the life of God’s children, who walk in obedience, truth, and righteousness.
To better understand John’s point, it is helpful to consider other passages that reveal the devil’s character, his rebellion against God, and his ongoing work of deception and opposition toward God’s people.
The devil is deceptive.
In Genesis 3:1, Satan tempts Eve through the serpent, introducing doubt by subtly questioning what God has said rather than directly denying it. This reveals his pattern of deception from the beginning, drawing people away from trust and obedience to God’s Word.
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”
Satan opposes God’s people and tempts them toward disobedience.
In 1 Chronicles 21:1, Satan incites David to take a census of Israel, leading him to act against God’s will. This reveals his active role in drawing God’s people away from obedience.
1 Chronicles 21:1 Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.
Satan is the accuser of God’s people.
In Zechariah 3:1, Satan stands at the right hand of Joshua the high priest to accuse him before the angel of the LORD. This reveals Satan’s role as an accuser who brings charges against God’s people.
Zechariah 3:1 Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
Satan fell because of pride.
In Isaiah 14:12-14, the passage is directly addressed to the king of Babylon, but many Christians also see it as reflecting the pride of Satan. The repeated “I will” statements reveal a heart of self-exaltation and rebellion against God’s authority. This prideful desire to rise above God illustrates the nature of sin that leads to judgment.
Isaiah 14:12-14 How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. 13 You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
The devil is the tempter.
In Matthew 4:1-3, the devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness after He has fasted for forty days and is physically hungry. He challenges Jesus’ identity and urges Him to satisfy His hunger apart from the Father’s will. This shows how the devil seeks to lead God’s people into sin, especially in moments of weakness. Jesus, however, resists every temptation through obedience to God and the truth of Scripture, showing how believers are to stand firm against the enemy.
Matthew 4:1-3 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. 3 The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
The devil is a murderer, a liar, and opposed to truth.
In John 8:44, Jesus tells the religious leaders that they belong to their father, the devil. He describes the devil as a murderer from the beginning, one who does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
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.
The devil blinds the minds of unbelievers.
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, “the god of this age” refers to the devil, who blinds the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. This shows his work of spiritual deception, keeping people from understanding and responding to the truth of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
The devil is your enemy and seeks to devour you.
In 1 Peter 5:8, believers are commanded to be sober-minded and alert because the devil, our adversary, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. This emphasizes his active opposition to God’s people and his intent to harm and lead them into spiritual destruction.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
In conclusion, the devil, or Satan, has been sinning ever since he first rebelled against God. This rebellion is ongoing and characteristic of his nature. Those who continue in unrepentant sin are following the same pattern, as we saw in Lesson 87.
Here are the key takeaways from the cross references that teach us about the devil’s character.
The devil is crafty and deceptive. (Genesis 3:1)
Satan opposes God’s people and tempts them toward disobedience. (1 Chronicles 21:1)
Satan is the accuser of God’s people. (Zechariah 3:1)
Satan fell because of pride. (Isaiah 14:12-14)
The devil is the tempter. (Matthew 4:1-3)
The devil is a murderer, a liar, and opposed to truth. (John 8:44)
The devil blinds the minds of unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
The devil is your enemy and seeks to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Be encouraged that Jesus has overcome the devil. Jesus, came to destroy the works of the devil. Put your faith fully in Christ, abide in Him, and follow Him every moment of your life. He will guard you from the deception of the devil and keep you in the truth.
Here’s a prayer to help you to respond to today’s lesson:
God, thank You for teaching me the truth about the devil and his works. Thank You for reminding me that Jesus has come to destroy the works of the enemy and that in Him I have victory. Strengthen my faith to abide in Christ, walk in obedience, and stay rooted in Your Word. Guard my heart and mind from deception, and help me to stand firm against temptation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s read this part of the verse one more time:
1 John 3:8…because the devil has been sinning from the very start…
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Listen to these lessons over and over again.
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
