Billy Myron teaches on 1 John 1:5–10 and 2:1–2, focusing on the reality of sin in the believer’s life. He explains that John warns against claiming to have no sin (verses 8 and 10), which deceives oneself and makes God a liar, while verse 9 promises faithful forgiveness and cleansing upon confession. Christians can and do sin, as denial contradicts Scripture (Romans 3:23) and removes the need for confession or an advocate (Jesus as propitiation for sins).
Sin is defined as lawlessness (1 John 3:4), acting without regard for God’s standards or expectations. It is an outward action, not merely a thought (1 Corinthians 6:18), and can include acting in doubt rather than faith (Romans 14:23). Sin was dealt with on the cross: Christ became sin for us so we might become God’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), the old man was crucified with Him (Romans 6:6), and believers are no longer under law but reconciled without trespasses imputed (2 Corinthians 5:19).
John links denial of sin to lacking “the truth.” The truth involves recognizing victory over the sin nature through Christ’s work, not law-keeping or sinless perfection. Examples from Galatians show believers erring from the truth by returning to law, leading to bondage and failure to obey grace. Peter (1 Peter 1:22) and James (James 5:19–20) describe obeying the truth as purifying the soul and saving it from death amid sin’s pull. Denying sin or claiming sinless perfection post-salvation rejects the truth that believers still battle the flesh but have provision through confession and Christ’s advocacy.
