In a fallen world, it is no surprise to find
people who are in church for other reasons than serving and honoring the Lord. So
sadly, we find such a person in the church that John was writing to. He was no
other than the person by the name of Diotrephes. In these verses, John wrote to
expose several of his harmful deeds. He was apparently seeking to elevate himself
to a prominent position and was unteachable, refusing to accept the teachings
of the apostles. At the same time he was using untruth and wicked words, and
made false accusations about John. Besides, he was not showing hospitality to
visiting brethren as Gaius did. It could be his insecurity that made him feel threatened.
He was also probably intimidating others in the church, forcing them to stop hosting
missionaries.
John intended to visit the church soon. He said
that when he arrived, he would expose the wicked deeds of Diotrephes. Being a
person of great strength and character, John would not yield to Diotrephes’
wishes. In verse 11, he urged the church not to imitate evil but instead practice
what is good. Firmly he told them that “the one who does good is of God; the
one who does evil has not seen God.” It’s true isn’t it? People who belong to
God are adverse to evil. Those who are accustomed to practicing evil and wickedness
as a lifestyle, cannot have known or experienced God.
Let’s be careful and discerning who we run with.
There is a common saying that states “If we run with the skunks, we will smell
like the skunks.” Let us be careful who we invite into our lives to speak into
our lives, especially those who are suave.
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