If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. – 1 John 1:8
Have you written your memoirs? Maybe you’ve compiled a legacy book of memories. Were you tempted to exaggerate… just a little? Did stretching the truth add Technicolor to what you otherwise perceived as a black-and-white life? Is perfect recollection even possible? Or is that a convenient excuse? There is a human tendency to be false, but there is danger to the soul when you begin to believe your own lies. Carried to the extreme, a person can become a pathological liar. Self-deception can begin readily enough. Perhaps a school assignment to write a paper on what you did over the summer was the genesis. Told again and again, lies seem to become justifiable, leading to the kind of false confidence that asserts they would never be found out. The person who deceives himself ends up convincing himself that he is “a good person,” and that no sin has been committed.
Pastor, author, and theologian Donald Grey Barnhouse wrote, “The tragic thing about this doctrine (if we say we have no sin) is that once people believe themselves free from sin, they believe that what they do is not sin. Thus they have low views of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of sin.” Charles Spurgeon said, “Sin drives men mad. … It is not the nature of sin to remain in a fixed state. Like decaying fruit, it grows more rotten. … Sin is a thief… sin is a murderer… sin is a traitor.” It is inherently corrupting.
Old Testament scholar and professor Dr. Kenneth Barker said, “Whenever the principle of sin is denied as an ongoing reality, there follows a denial of responsibility for individual actions. Gossip, defiling of persons, hatred of the brethren, jealousy, and boasting become sanctioned as non-sins; walking in the light is denied; and the fellowship to which we are called is never permitted to exist.”
Twice Paul writes, “Let no one deceive you” (Ephesians 5:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:3). That “no one” includes you. As important as it is to be discerning and alert to the deceptions of others, it is vital that you not deceive yourself. Pray for members of Congress to keep humble hearts before the Lord and commit to walking in the truth. Truth is an essential characteristic of God, and He calls you to live in the truth.
Today’s Verse: 1 John 1:8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Ephesians 5:1-16
5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
