I started with studying the book of 1 John because it was short. As I began to read the book it quickly became evident that John is writing to describe to us what a child of God says and does versus what a liar says and does. John himself states his reason for writing, “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray,” (1 John 2:26). The purpose in identifying false converts is primarily so we may not be led astray and, I believe, secondly to know how to pray for others.
It is vital that we are discerning because Satan is cunning and his ways are subtle. Peter warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world,” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Elsewhere Paul warns, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds,” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). Even Jesus warns us, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit,” (Matthew 7:15-17). These three passages serve as exhortations to us to not believe everything that someone says, but to look for the fruit of righteousness in their lives. For this reason God makes it evident who are the children of God and who are the children of the Devil.
In 1 John it is presumed that the liars are apart of the local congregation for over and over again John uses the construction, “If anyone says…but does not (or does depending on the context).” Liars are people who with their mouths deny that they have sin (1:8,10), deny Jesus is Christ (1:22), deny the Father and the Son (1:23), do not confess Jesus is from God (4:3), and speak from the world (4:4). It is evident, then that these people have enough knowledge of God to speak against him with their mouths. However, it is not only what they say that makes it plain to us that they are liars but also what they do or don’t do. For there are many who claim they love God but demonstrate through their actions they do not. Recall Jesus’ words, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness,’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
A few of the works of lawlessness are described for us in 1 john. In 1 John a liar, a worker of lawlessness, walks in the darkness (1:6), does not keep the commandments of God (2:4), loves the world (2:15), leaves the fellowship of believers (2:19), does not practice righteousness (2:29), makes a practice of sinning (3:4), keeps on sinning (3:6,8), hates his brother (3:10), murders and hates (3:11,14), does not give to brothers in need (3:17), listens to the world (4:5), does not love (4:8), hates his brother (4:20), does not believe the testimony of God (5:10), and does not have the Son (5:12). Two things stand out from this list, hate for others and habitual sin.
John states, “If anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). No one who has Christ’s Spirit dwelling in them can hate others since God is love. Divisions in churches demonstrate those who in Christ and those who are not. For this reason Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:18-19, “For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.”
Likewise John tells us that, “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning,” (1 John 3:7-8). I think this verse is most difficult since it clearly pronounces a form of judgment on those who continue in sin. It is important to note that this is not a final judgment regarding the eternal destiny of these souls, but a statement of fact about their present condition. Therefore, when we see continual sin with no desire to truly be righteous in someone’s life, stating that they are of the devil is not the same as deciding they are going to hell. Only God can make the final judgment and only he knows the where the soul will end up. We, for our part, must not be afraid to say they are not from us for they went out from us. We must stand firm in the faith and not allow for carnal Christians, but warn them that they might not be in Christ.
Now, while I believe that it will be evident in many cases whether someone is of God or of the Devil, I do not believe we will know in every case. The parable that Christ told of the wheat and the tares demonstrates this. Neither do I believe that we are called to spend all our time judging whether others are of God or not. Instead, whenever the occasion arises, we are to judge for ourselves whether someone bears the fruit of righteousness or lawlessness. We are to use this judgment so we might speak life to the lost soul and not be deceived ourselves by the “foolishness” they proclaim as truth. Whether we like the responsibility or not, God’s word makes it clear that it is evident who his Children are and assumes we will be diligent to watch out for those that are not. For John reminds us again, “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother,” (1 John 3:10).
My brothers and sisters, I pray that you might meditate on this truth and seek it out for yourself in scripture. I pray that we might not lower the standard of righteousness that God has set to allow for “believers” to continue on in sin without any confrontation. May God give us all wisdom, courage, and strength to apply this truth in a loving way that glorifies Him. Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus.