Even When Your Heart Condemns You: Finding Freedom In God’s Love. Part 1

“Hey everyone! Welcome back to the channel. Today, we’re diving into a topic that hits home for many of us: Even If Your Heart Condemns You. If you’ve ever struggled with guilt, self-doubt, or felt like you’re not good enough—this one’s for you.

In today’s video, we’re going to talk about how God’s love is bigger than our feelings of condemnation, and what the Bible says about finding freedom, even when our hearts feel heavy. This message comes straight from 1 John Chapter 3, and trust me, it’s something you don’t want to miss.

Before we jump in, make sure to hit that subscribe button and click the notification bell so you never miss an update. And if you’re looking for more resources or study guides, head over to www.discoveriesanddialogue.com for everything you need to go deeper. Let’s get into it!”

In 1 John Chapter 3, the apostle John emphasizes God’s profound love for believers, calling them His children, and explains that their identity as God’s children sets them apart from the world, which does not understand God.

He encourages believers to live in purity, he says the world does not know us because the world does not know Christ, he emphasizes that as children of God, when Christ is revealed we know we shall be like him.

John contrasts those who live in sin with those who live in righteousness, teaching that sin is incompatible with the nature of someone born of God.

Those who follow Christ should not continue in habitual sin, as Christ came to take away sins.

John then stresses the importance of loving one another, urging believers to demonstrate their love not just in words but through genuine actions.

He uses Cain, who killed his brother Abel, as an example of what happens when love is absent.

He reminds believers that true love involves self-sacrifice, caring for others’ needs, and acting in truth.

John concludes by encouraging them to have confidence before God, assuring them that even when their hearts feel guilty, they can trust in God’s greater knowledge and love.

He affirms that following God’s commands—believing in Jesus and loving one another—leads to a deep, abiding relationship with God, made evident through the Holy Spirit who dwells in them.

The inspiration for 1 John 3 stems from the apostle John’s desire to encourage and guide the early Christian community, particularly in response to challenges they faced, such as false teachings and confusion about what it meant to truly follow Christ.


John’s letter, including Chapter 3, is written in a context where believers were being confronted with various doctrines, including Gnostic teachings that denied Jesus’ physical humanity and downplayed the importance of moral living.

These false teachings led some to believe that faith did not require righteous behavior, causing divisions in the church.

John seeks to clarify essential truths about God’s love, the transformative power of faith, and the responsibility of believers to live in alignment with their identity as children of God.

He emphasizes that being a child of God involves not just belief, but also living a righteous life and loving others, as Jesus commanded.

The themes of love, righteousness, and the rejection of sin are central to John’s message, as he aims to correct misunderstandings and strengthen the believers’ commitment to genuine Christian living.

John’s close relationship with Jesus also deeply influenced his writing.

As someone who had personally witnessed Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, John understood the importance of living in a way that reflected Jesus’ teachings and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

His pastoral concern for the church and his desire to counter false teachings provided the context for 1 John 3, where he encourages believers to walk in righteousness, love one another, and remain confident in their relationship with God.

Detailed instances across the letters of John

Denial of Jesus’ Humanity: (Gnostic Beliefs)

• Scriptures: 1 John 4:1-3, 2 John 1:7
  
• 
  John combats early Gnostic beliefs that denied Jesus came in the flesh. He emphasizes that confessing Jesus as coming in the flesh is essential to true Christian faith, and those who deny this are antichrists.
  
• 1 John 4:2-3: “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist.”
  
• 2 John 1:7: “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
  

Denial of Sin:

• Scriptures: 1 John 1:8-10, 1 John 3:4-10
  
• 
  John refutes the idea that believers can deny the reality of sin or live in habitual sin. A true child of God will not make a practice of sinning because Jesus came to take away sins.
  
• 1 John 1:8: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
  
• 1 John 3:9: “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”
  

Confusion About Love:

• Scriptures: 1 John 2:9-11, 1 John 4:20
  
• 
  John stresses that those who claim to love God but hate others are living in darkness. Genuine love for others is a fundamental sign of true faith in God.
  
• 1 John 2:9: “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
  
• 1 John 4:20: “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.”
  

False Prophets and Antichrists:

• Scriptures: 1 John 2:18-22, 1 John 4:1
  
• 
  John warns that many antichrists and false prophets have appeared, denying that Jesus is the Christ. He encourages believers to test the spirits and discern the truth.
  
• 1 John 2:22: “Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.”
  
• 1 John 4:1: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
  

Rejection of Apostolic Authority:

• Scriptures: 3 John 1:9-10
  
• 
  John criticizes Diotrephes for rejecting his authority and causing divisions within the church. This refusal to accept apostolic teaching and leadership is a form of false teaching that disrupts church unity.
  
• 3 John 1:9: “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.”
  

Walking in Truth vs. Deception:

• Scriptures: 2 John 1:4-11
  
• 
  John exhorts believers to walk in truth by holding fast to the teachings of Christ and avoiding deceivers who do not acknowledge the full doctrine of Jesus.
  
• 2 John 1:10: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.”
  

This background helps us know the purpose of our study today, which is what do we do when our heart condemns us



Does John’s teaching on sin contradict Paul’s teaching? 3rd john 3:7-9

Verse 7: “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.”

Verse 8: “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might use destroy the works of the devil.”

Verse 9: “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

John’s Teachings on Righteousness:

• John emphasizes that true believers should not live in habitual sin because they have been born of God. He insists that righteousness is a mark of genuine faith, and living in sin is incompatible with being a child of God (1 John 3:6-9). For John, righteous living and love for others are evidence that someone is truly born of God.
  
  
  • 1 John 3:9: “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”
    

Paul’s Teachings on Righteousness:

• Paul teaches that righteousness is not achieved by works but through faith in Jesus Christ. His central message is that humans are justified (made righteous) by faith alone, not by their own deeds (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16).
  
  
  
  However, Paul also insists that true faith produces good works and righteous living. He teaches that those who live by the Spirit will not gratify the desires of the flesh, showing that faith naturally leads to a transformed life (Galatians 5:16-22).
  
  
  • Romans 3:28: “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
    
    
    
  • Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
    

Harmonizing John and Paul:

• Righteousness and Faith: Both John and Paul agree that righteousness is a result of being born of God and living in fellowship with Him. While Paul emphasizes that righteousness is initiated by faith in Jesus, John stresses that this faith must manifest in righteous behavior and love for others. They both affirm that righteous living is the outcome of a genuine relationship with Christ.
  
  
  
• Sin and Grace: Paul acknowledges that believers will still struggle with sin but should not live under its control (Romans 6:1-2, Galatians 5:24). John similarly teaches that believers should not live in habitual sin, but he also reassures that if anyone sins, Jesus Christ is their advocate (1 John 2:1-2).
  

Now for believers who do not fall into Habitual Sin or any above reasons he warned about in the book of john he had this today

Here is 1 John 3:18-23 (NKJV):

Verse 18: “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

Verse 19: “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.”

Verse 20: “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”

Verse 21: “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.”

Verse 22: “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

Verse 23: “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

Verse 18 says we should love not only in word but also in deed

the teaching in 1 John 3:18 about loving “in deed and in truth” is deeply connected to the commands of Jesus, particularly regarding love. Jesus emphasized the importance of love as the foundation of His teachings. Here are key passages where Jesus directly commands love, both in word and in action:

1. The Greatest Commandments:

• Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV): Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
  • Explanation: Jesus teaches that love is the greatest commandment—love for God and love for others. These two commands summarize all the commandments. Loving others “as yourself” includes caring for them practically, not just speaking kind words, but showing love through actions.
    

2. The New Commandment:

• John 13:34-35 (NKJV): “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.”
  • Explanation: Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them. Jesus’ love was demonstrated in actions, especially through His self-sacrifice. This command urges believers to reflect the same kind of love, marked by service and selflessness, showing love through deeds.
    

3. Parable of the Good Samaritan (Love in Action):

• Luke 10:25-37: In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a Samaritan who showed compassion to a man who had been beaten and left for dead. Unlike others who passed by, the Samaritan helped the injured man by caring for him practically, demonstrating love through action.
  • Explanation: This parable illustrates that love must be shown in action—by helping those in need, even when it requires sacrifice. Jesus concludes the parable by saying, “Go and do likewise,” encouraging His followers to love through deeds.
    

4. The Golden Rule:

• Matthew 7:12 (NKJV): “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
  • Explanation: Jesus teaches the principle of treating others the way we want to be treated, which calls for practical expressions of love. This involves more than just kind words but engaging in kind actions toward others.
    

5. Jesus’ Teaching on the Sheep and the Goats (Love in Deeds):

• Matthew 25:34-40: In this passage, Jesus talks about the final judgment, where those who cared for the hungry, thirsty, sick, and imprisoned are called blessed. He explains that when we love others in need, we are, in fact, serving Him.
  • Explanation: Jesus highlights that acts of love and compassion—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick—are essential expressions of faith. This reinforces the idea that love must be shown in deeds.
    

other instances in the teachings of Jesus where He commands love to be demonstrated through actions, not just words. Here are additional examples:

6. The Command to Love Enemies:

• Luke 6:27-28 (NKJV): “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
  • Explanation: Jesus commands not just to love those who are easy to love, but even to love our enemies. This love is to be shown through doing good, blessing them, and praying for them. It’s not just a feeling but involves real actions of kindness toward those who oppose or mistreat us.
    

7. The Teaching on Forgiveness:

• Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV): “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'”
  • Explanation: Jesus teaches that love is expressed through forgiveness. Forgiving others when they wrong us is an active demonstration of love. This command shows that love is not just a passive feeling, but an ongoing, active process of reconciliation and grace.
    

8. Love Expressed Through Sacrifice:

• John 15:13 (NKJV): “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
  • Explanation: Jesus here refers to the ultimate act of love—sacrifice. He demonstrated this through His own sacrificial death. Jesus is teaching that love involves self-sacrifice, going beyond words to putting others’ needs above our own, even to the point of laying down our lives if necessary.
    

9. Give to the poor

• Matthew 19:21 (NKJV): “Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.'”
  • Explanation: In this instance, Jesus calls the rich young ruler to show love for others by giving to the poor. It’s a call to action—to love not just with feelings or in theory but by using resources to help those in need. Jesus teaches that true love often involves giving up personal wealth or comfort to benefit others.
    

10. The Example of Jesus Washing the Disciples’ Feet:

• John 13:14-15 (NKJV): “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
  • Explanation: When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He was showing love through an act of humility and service. Washing feet was a lowly task, and by doing it, Jesus set an example of how love involves serving others, even in humble or menial ways. He commands His followers to love by serving one another in practical ways.
    

11. “Whatever You Did for the Least of These”:

• Matthew 25:40 (NKJV): “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, since you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
  • Explanation: Jesus emphasizes that love for Him is demonstrated by caring for those in need—the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. This teaching shows that love is expressed through actions toward the most vulnerable members of society. When we serve others in need, we are showing love not only to them but also to Christ Himself.
    

1 John 3:20 acknowledges that there are times when, despite our best efforts, we will feel like we fall short, and our hearts (our conscience) will condemn us. John is addressing a very real struggle for believers: the tension between striving to live in love and righteousness and the reality that we sometimes fail.

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