ODJ: fooling ourselves
September 2, 2011
We are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness (v.6).
READ: 1 John 1:1-9
Last year, a bizarre TV game show began airing in France. Contestants were given questions and all went well if they answered correctly. But a wrong answer proved to be deadly. For the erring contestants were then commanded to throw a switch that appeared to force another contestant—strapped in the “hot seat”—to endure a lethal 420 volts of electricity. This death “game” was meant to show the manipulative power of authority, but for the contestants who thought they were electrocuting someone (the “hot seat” contestant was actually an actor feigning getting zapped), it was all too real.
It definitely wouldn’t be fun to be fooled on this foolish show! But sometimes you and I might actually be found “fooling ourselves” (1 John 1:8). The apostle John put it this way, “We are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; . . . not practicing the truth” (v.6). His point is clear: Following any religious instruction or living in any way that is contrary to Jesus’ teachings shows that we’ve embraced spiritual darkness. We’re fooling ourselves and “lying” to God (v.6).
Here are some common ways we sinfully select darkness instead of God’s light:
• Choosing fellowship with the world over fellowship with God out of selfishness and sinful pride.
• Living a legalistic life that places erroneous traditions above God’s truth.
• Trying to hide our sins instead of confessing them to God.
All of these things point to a heart issue. For us to move back into the light of Jesus will require true repentance—turning away from sin-seeking people and things that ensnare us, confessing our sin to God, and walking in His light (v.9).
Are we ready? It’s time to stop fooling ourselves. —Tom Felten
How have you been dabbling in the darkness of this world? What will you do this week to begin walking in the light of Jesus?
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