Follow the truth and be real

1 John 5:18–21 NKJV

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Key words:

“We know”

"Truth”

Introduction:

There are plenty of theories out there:

I.E.:

Turkey hunting theory

Documentary theory

Poetry theory

But none of these are good if they dont stand against truth!

We are to not sin (Habitually) 1 John 3:9

Because the believer has a new nature he has new desires and appetites and it is not interested in sin.

Weirsbe states that Christians face three enemies, all of which want to lead him into sin: The world, the flesh, and the devil.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 NKJV

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Satan has many devices to get us to fall into sin:

A) He tells lies as he did with Eve

B) Physical suffering as he did with Job and Paul

C) Pride as he used with David.

The flesh is instilled us since conception, and this nature is still with us. Hence the struggle we often face. (1 John 3:9)

The world is our third enemy. 1 John 2:15 -17

It is easy for us to yeild to the desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. The atmosphere around us makes it difficult to keep focused and our hearts true on God.

SO how does a believer keep from sinning?

1 John 5:18 NKJV

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

Jude 21 we must be in the love of God.

The wicked one does not touch us

We know we are owned by God

The world is under the prince of this world (Galatians 4:1)

Jesus Christ has given us revelation and understanding (Manifested)

A) We are test the spirit in which we are dealing with 1 John 4:2

B) Luke 24:44-49- Christ revealed.

6. He who is true, is the true God, and eternal life (John 17:3)

7. Holiness of God, is something we are to resemble: Revelation 3:7

1 John 2:1 NKJV

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

As we end the book of 1 John it is obvious that a christian life is a real life. (Weirsbe)

We have the real deal!

We have no need for an idol in our lives 1 Corinthians 8:4

The tragedy of idolatry is that a dead image can do a worshipper no good because it is not genuine.

Weirsbe:

The world boasts of its enlightenment, but a christian walks in the real light, because God is light. The world talks about love, but it knows nothing of the real love that a christian experiences because God is love. The world displays its wisdom and learning but a christian lives in truth because the “Spirit of truth”.

God is love light and truth and these three things together make a life that is real. But it makes no difference what a man believes so long as he is sincere.

Idols are dead but Christ is the living God.

So Johns comment on idols can be rephrased this way: “Watch out for the imitation and the artificial and be real.”