1 John 3:8

If anyone keeps on doing bad things, it shows that they belong to the devil. The devil is the boss over all the bad spirits. Everything he does is bad. Yes, he always did bad things, right from the time when God made everything. So if anyone keeps on doing bad things, it’s like they are one of the devil’s kids. The devil always gets people to go wrong, but you know, God’s son Jesus came to earth to stop the devil’s work for ever.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

In Context

7My friends, that other mob are telling you lies. They reckon that people can keep on doing bad things, and that God will still say they are all right. But that’s not true. Don’t believe them. I’m telling you, God’s people have to live the right way, just like Jesus always lived the right way, and then God will say they are all right.

9If anyone belongs to God, they don’t keep on doing bad things. It’s like they are one of God’s kids, and God gave them new life. So they can’t keep on doing bad things.

Read all of 1 John 3

Cross References

Matthew 13:38That garden is like the world. The good food seeds are like the people that belong to God. The rubbish plant seeds are like the people that belong to the devil, the boss over the bad spirits.

John 12:31Then Jesus told them how he was going to die. He said, “Soon my enemies are going to lift me up to die on a cross, and then I will call everyone to come to me. And when I die, God will judge everyone in the world. And you know, the boss over the bad spirits is the boss over this world too, but when I die, God will stop his power so he can’t be the boss over the world any more.”

Romans 16:20You know, Satan, the boss over the bad spirits, he tries to get you to go wrong. But God is stronger than Satan. God is the one that makes us happy and quiet inside ourselves. And he will beat Satan, so that Satan can’t do anything to you any more. I ask our leader, Jesus, to be really good to you.

Colossians 2:15God did that, and he finished up the power of all the bad spirit mob. He was even stronger than the most powerful spirit bosses. He finished up their power when Jesus died on the cross. He shamed them, and he showed everyone that he is the winner over all those bad spirits.

Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:5-11

The Mark of God's Children. ( a. d. 80.) 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this… Read the whole commentary →

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Study 1 John 3:8