“Whenever Our Heart Condemns Us”

1 John 3:19-24

Condemnation is common to all of us.

            Accused by the enemy (Revelation 12:10)

            Falsely condemned by others (Proverbs 18:21)

            Sometimes condemned by our own heart (v. 20)

What does the Bible mean by our “heart”?

            It is the seat of the affections; the source of what we love.

            It is similar to but different from “conscience” and “will.”

            The unregenerate heart is deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

            It must not be followed, but led by the Word and the Spirit.

            The heart has desires (Psalm 37:4; 20:4; Proverbs 6:25; Romans 10:1).

            These desires are either godly or ungodly.

            Our heart follows what we treasure (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34).

            We need God to test our heart (Psalm 139:23-24; 26:1-2; Jeremiah 17:10).

Bookends of Assurance

Jesus offers personal, experiential and certain knowledge of God.

      7 times in 1 John (1 John 2:3; 3:16, 19, 24; 4:6, 13; 5:2)

You can know God, or rather be known by God (Galatians 4:9).

            By this we shall know that we are of the truth, if we love (v. 18-19)

Whenever our heart condemns us (v. 20)

                        God is greater than our heart and He knows everything.

                        Condemnation is covered by the cross of Christ our Advocate.

                        Jesus was condemned so that we might not be condemned.

                        The blood of Jesus “speaks a better word” (Hebrews 12:24).

If our heart does not condemn us we have confidence before God.

                        And whatever we ask we receive from Him (v. 22)

                                    Because we keep His commandments and love one another

                                    His commandment (v. 23) is to believe (cf. John 6:28-29).

                                    And love one another as He has commanded (cf. John 13:34)

                        Walking in the light, we ask according to His will and receive.

                                    Keeping His commandments demonstrates abiding (v. 24).

By this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit given to us

Who enables us to embrace the Messiah, obey God and love others

Threefold Evidence of Belonging to God and Being in Christ

Believing Jesus is the Messiah; Obeying God; Loving Others