WEEKLY SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
1 John 3:7-10
As Jesus taught on the Sermon of the Mount, He said, “Beware of false prophets…you will recognize them by their fruits…every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-17). John has learned directly from Jesus and now in his old age is conveying Jesus’ words to anyone who will listen to them.
“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.”
John also spent time with the other Apostles, James being one of them. I’m sure they continued to talk about Jesus’ teachings, seeking to understand and live into the truths they had heard firsthand while also seeking to teach them to others. They would have had deep conversations in this way. Here, John is saying you are either in the family of God or the family of the Devil. God’s family practices righteousness and love. The Devil’s family practices sin and does not love. Those who belong to God’s family have God’s seed of righteousness in them. This seed is meant to be nurtured and grown for God’s glory and our good. In a similar way, James describes what each family looks like so we are able to fully discern and then choose righteousness. It’s almost as if John has said to James, “There are only 2 families and they are very different” and James is replying with, “Yes, and this is what they look like.”
Take some time to examen your heart and life. Spend some time in prayer talking with God about what He shows you and name the good desires that are being kindled in you. This is a work of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection 1
John wants us to be alert to the Devil and his ways of deception.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anywhere you might be deceived and pray that you will be able to grow in your discernment and choosing of what is good, holy and righteous.
Reflection 2
James 3:13-16 (What the ways of the Devil look like)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
Do you have envy, self-seeking in your heart?
Is there boasting and something in you that is against the truth, or “a” truth you are struggling to believe?
This is a time for confession, agreeing with God where you are missing the mark of His standard of righteousness. This is the first step toward growth into a corresponding righteous virtue.
Reflection 3
James 3:17-18
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
- Which of these words is God inviting you to nurture and grow into?
This is a time to express a good, holy and righteous desire to God for spiritual growth.
As part of God’s family we will never practice righteousness perfectly. This is a long, slow, deep, difficult and particular work of God’s graceful work in us. But it is possible to grow and even flourish over time.
May we be the kind of people that love others with the same love in which we have received from Him.
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
From Dan Gray
- Read 1 John 3:7-10. What stands out to you? What is John trying to get his little children to understand?
- John warns his little children to not be deceived. Was there ever a time in your life where you believed you were being deceived either overtly or covertly? What are some deceptions that we see today, either inside or outside the church?
- We talked about righteousness as meeting the standard. Talk about what the standard is and how your views of the standard may have changed or evolved as you have walked with the Lord?
- Talk about the idea of being saved “from something” and “to something”. What are those things and in your walk, is there one of these that you focus on more than the other? Why do you think this is? How might your understanding of this affect how you view what it means to practice righteousness?
- Dan shared that we shouldn’t simply view practicing righteousness as simply the absence of certain behaviors, but rather the presence of other behaviors. Do you agree with this way of looking at practicing righteousness and how are the 2 different?