There Is No Cause of Stumbling in Them
1 John 2:9–10
(Photo by Bradley Allweil on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible)
1 John 2:9–10 If anyone claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister, they are still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves their brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in them. 11 But whoever hates their brother or sister is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded their eyes.
John writes to show that true faith in Christ is not proven by a claim alone, but by a transformed life, specifically a life marked by love for others. When a person loves fellow believers, it is evidence that they are walking in the light. But if someone claims to be in the light while harboring hatred toward another believer, their life reveals that they are still in darkness.
This passage speaks of an ongoing pattern of life. Hatred here includes persistent bitterness, resentment, or a refusal to love. John makes it clear that it is impossible to walk in the light while rejecting Christ’s command to love. This reflects Jesus’ teaching that love for one another is the visible mark of His true disciples.
This should lead to personal examination. Ask God to search your heart. Are you holding onto bitterness, unforgiveness, or hatred toward another believer while claiming to follow Christ? If so, confess it honestly before God. Agree with God that this is sin and ask Him to cleanse your heart. As you abide in Jesus, the Holy Spirit will produce in you the love that Christ commands, enabling you to walk in the light. ~ Jeff M Newman
Latest Bible Study
Observe Jesus’ Commands
Reconcile with others. Prioritize forgiveness and resolve conflicts quickly.
Matthew 5:23-26 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother or sister; then come and offer your gift. 25 Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Luke 12:58)
Previous Bible Study
Yesterday’s Devotional
Prayer requests
Please share your prayer requests with me in the comments. If you get this by email, just reply and let me know how to pray for you.
This is a beautiful reminder that when our hearts are truly anchored in God’s Word there is a stability that keeps us from being shaken or led into stumbling Great peace have those who love your law nothing can make them stumble Psalm 119:165 and that kind of peace comes from a life rooted in truth not in circumstances Often stumbling comes when our focus shifts from God to people or situations but Scripture calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith Hebrews 12:2 and when our eyes are on Him we begin to walk with greater steadiness It also speaks to the condition of the heart because the one who abides in Christ walks in the light Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked 1 John 2:6 and in that walk there is clarity not confusion At the same time God provides guidance so that we do not fall Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path Psalm 119:105 and His Word keeps us aligned even when the path is uncertain There is also a call to guard our hearts because Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life Proverbs 4:23 and when our hearts are guarded in Him we are less easily shaken by offense or temptation In the end the promise is not that challenges will disappear but that we will be kept steady through them because Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy Jude 1:24 and as we remain in Him we find that kind of peace and assurance that holds us firm no matter what comes