Honesty

Message Notes:

Passage for the week: 1 John 1:5-10

•5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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, His Son, purifies us from all sin.

•8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.

A.A. saying: “You are as sick as your secrets”

Major theme: “Honesty doesn’t make you weaker—it makes you stronger. And it’s the only way to break free.”

Three “personas” found in every person: 

•Real Me

•Who I Think I Am

•Who Others Think I Am

Whatever John means by “Walking in the Light” — he does not mean “perfection.” That is he point in verses 8-10 — do not try to suggest there is no sin in your life. But rather, confess your sins.

Walking in the Light is the opposite of “hypocrisy” — or “hiding behind a mask.”

The challenge of this message is:

•You can’t heal what you won’t name.

•You can’t be loved where you won’t be seen.

•The light isn’t here to simply expose you. It’s here to heal you.

•So walk in the light.

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think it is difficult for some people to confess or “own” their sins?

•Which of the following contributes most to people’s reluctance to confess (place them in descending order): fear of rejection, shame, low self-esteem, lack of faith.

Key ideas in today’s passage — discuss the meaning of each:

•God is “Light;” what does this communicate about God’s nature? (v.5)

•We are encouraged to “walk in the light.” How do we do this? (v.6,7)

•How does “walking in the light” contribute to better “fellowship with one another?” (v.7) And how does it help apply the blood of Jesus for the purification of our souls? (v.7)

•How do verses 5-7 “fit” with verses 8-10?

•Can a person who walks in the light ever sin? How does that work?

Talk about the Alcoholics Anonymous saying: “You are as sick as your secrets.” Why?

Spend some time talking about Byron’s diagram, “3 Personas.” (see diagram below)

•For anyone in particular — is there normally a bigger gap between the “Real Me” and “Who I Think I Am” or between the “Real Me” and “Who Others Think I Am?”

Byron explained that the word “hypocrite” is a word with its origins in Greek theater. A hypocrite was an actor who “wore a mask” to portray another person. Over time the word’s meaning mutated to describe “someone fake,” or “someone who is trying to appear differently than they really are.”\

•Take some time to describe the various “masks” people wear at church.