1 John 3:1-10 [ESV]
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 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.
Memory Verse: 1 John 3:3
3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
KNOWING GOD MEANS TO DESIRE TO LIVE RIGHTEOUS LIVES.
GOD’s children reflect the nature of the GOD they serve
1 John 3:3-4
3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he [GOD] is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
People’s lives identify the GOD they serve.
1 John 3:5-8
5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he (GOD) is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. GOD gives His children a new nature that removes a desire to live a lifestyle of sin
1 John 3:9-10
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 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
Steps to live victoriously!
Ascertain that you have truly made a decision to believe in JESUS CHRIST as your Savior and Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. [ESV]
Know that we are already blessed by GOD with the supernatural ability to overcome sinful desires and thinking.
2 Peter 1:3,4
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. [ESV]
Develop a consistent prayer relationship with GOD.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [ESV]
Daily renew our mind by reading and meditating on GOD’s Word.
John 8:31, 32
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [ESV] Be humble and honest to evaluate sinful thinking that is causing you to hold on to sinful attitudes and behavior.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4 We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments 5 and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. [NCV]
Take daily steps to replace sinful thinking and behavior with godly Truths and godly behavior.
1 Peter 1:5-8
5 Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge; 6 and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add patience; and to your patience, add service for God; 7 and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love. 8 If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [NCV]
Consistently surround ourselves with godly believers.
Hebrews 10:24, 25
24 Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. 25 You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming. [NCV]
Join a local church and be involved in ministry.
Ephesians 4:15, 16
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. [NCV]