Holy Wit – Bible Study #2 Walking in the Light (Walking in the Light: Studies Through 1 John – 1 John 1:5–10) Scripture Reading (NKJV): 1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5–10 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A5-10&version=NKJV 1. God Is Light John begins with a foundational truth: “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” Light throughout Scripture is associated with holiness, truth, purity, and the revealing presence of God. Darkness represents sin, deception, and rebellion. John does not present God as mostly light or occasionally light. There is no darkness in Him whatsoever. Everything that follows in this passage grows out of that reality. 1 John 1:5 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A5&version=NKJV James 1:17 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A17&version=NKJV 2. Fellowship Requires More Than Religious Words John immediately warns against empty profession. A person may claim fellowship with God while continuing to walk in darkness. Such a claim is false because our conduct eventually reveals what our words attempt to conceal. John is not teaching perfection, but consistency. A life moving toward God cannot simultaneously embrace darkness as its home. 1 John 1:6 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A6&version=NKJV John 3:19–21 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A19-21&version=NKJV 3. Walking in the Light Walking in the light does not mean living without struggle or failure. It means living openly before God. The believer does not hide sin, excuse sin, or redefine sin. Instead, he brings his life into the light of God's truth. As believers walk in the light, they enjoy fellowship with one another and continual cleansing through the blood of Christ. 1 John 1:7 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A7&version=NKJV Ephesians 5:8–10 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A8-10&version=NKJV 4. The Danger of Self-Deception John then addresses a common human temptation: denying our sinfulness. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” The greatest deception is often self-deception. The problem is not merely that others are fooled; we ourselves become blind to reality. Spiritual growth begins with honesty about who we are and our continual need for God's grace. 1 John 1:8 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A8&version=NKJV Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+28%3A13&version=NKJV 5. The Gift of Confession One of the most comforting promises in Scripture appears in verse 9. Confession is not informing God of something He does not know. It is agreeing with Him about our sin. When believers confess, God responds according to His character. He is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse. Forgiveness is not based upon our worthiness but upon the finished work of Christ. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A9&version=NKJV Psalm 32:5 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+32%3A5&version=NKJV 6. Christians Live in the Light John closes by warning against claiming we have never sinned. Such a claim ultimately calls God a liar because it contradicts His testimony about humanity. Christians are not people who pretend they have no sin. Christians are people who bring their sin into the light, confess it, and find cleansing through Christ. The mark of spiritual maturity is not sinlessness but increasing honesty before God. 1 John 1:10 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A10&version=NKJV Romans 3:23 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23&version=NKJV Reflection Questions 1. What does John's statement that “God is light” teach you about God's character? 2. What is the difference between struggling against sin and walking in darkness? 3. Why is self-deception so dangerous in the Christian life? 4. How does confession strengthen fellowship with God? 5. In what ways can you practice living more openly in the light this week? Prayer Points 1. Thank God for His holiness, truth, and purity. 2. Ask God to reveal areas of darkness that need to be brought into the light. 3. Thank Christ for His cleansing blood and continual forgiveness. 4. Pray for humility and honesty in your walk with God. For Further Study (NKJV): Psalm 51:1–12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A1-12&version=NKJV Proverbs 28:13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+28%3A13&version=NKJV James 5:16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A16&version=NKJV #HolyWitBibleStudy #GordonMcGinnis #WalkingInTheLight #1John15to10