We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. – 1 John 5:18

An old preacher told me sometime back that for a child of God, your greatest shield against enemy attacks is righteousness. Living a morally upright life saves you from a lot of unnecessary attacks and temptations that may otherwise plaque your life if you walk in the way of the ungodly or sit in the way of sinners. From a person with decades of experience in ministry, that was a very valuable wisdom to pass on to me.

In our verse for today, the Apostle is highlighting the need for all children of God to avoid sin and keep away from evil, because the wicked one has no power over them. The child of God may fall into sin, but he does not continue in it; he is not under its dominion. Why? Because, though he has a malignant foe, he has also a vigilant Guardian.

There is an aberrant teaching going around in “evangelical” circles and this teaching says you can be saved and then spend the rest of your days on earth living in sin. This idea is usually coined “once saved, always saved.” Our verse for today debunks that logic, John is telling us that all Children of God avoid sin. And even if they sin, they don’t remain in it. It is impossible to be a child of God and be living recklessly.

Jesus reaffirms this in Revelation 3:10, “Because you have kept my word of perseverance, I will also keep you.” It is my prayer that we all get the strength to walk in the light of God and avoid sin, so we the guidance of God will be paramount in our lives, Amen.