3 John 11-15 Do Not Imitate Evil

Introduction

As we come to the end of John’s letters, we come to one final command from the Apostle John: “Do not imitate evil but imitate good” (3 John 11). This command is not disconnected from the rest of the letter. John has already encouraged Gaius because of his faithfulness. He has already warned him about the evil actions of Diotrephes. Now he places before him Demetrius as a faithful example to follow (3 John 5-12).

This means John’s final command is both simple and serious. The people of God must know the difference between good and evil. They must refuse to imitate evil. They must imitate what is good. They must also consider the examples they allow to shape them, because the people we admire, excuse, and follow can influence the way we live.

As John closes this short letter, he is not writing to be right for right’s sake. He is writing to preserve, build, and maintain fellowship among the body. He wants the church to remain faithful in truth, love, obedience, and peace.

There Is a Difference Between Good and Evil

John writes, “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11).

The first clear command John gives to Gaius is this: do not imitate evil, but imitate good. The word imitate matters. We learn by watching others. Whether we notice it or not, we can observe the behavior of another person and begin to repeat it ourselves. This is why John’s warning is necessary. Evil is not only something people can believe. Evil is also something people can copy.

John speaks this command with love. He calls them “beloved” (3 John 11). This means his warning is not cold or detached. It is pastoral. He loves them, so he warns them. He cares for them, so he commands them. He understands that evil influence within the church can shape people if it is not recognized and rejected.

This also means there is a real difference between good and evil. John does not give the people of God permission to decide for themselves what good and evil should be. That kind of thinking is what marked the days when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). When people define good for themselves, evil will eventually be excused, defended, and followed.

Good is defined by our Creator and revealed in the person of Christ. We do not begin with ourselves. We do not begin with our feelings, our culture, our preferences, or our desires. We begin with God. If good comes from God, then we must receive His definition of it. If evil is opposed to God, then we must not partake in it, even when it seems useful, normal, acceptable, or personally satisfying.

John also says, “Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11). He is not saying that good works save us. He is saying that our conduct reveals what we have truly seen and who we truly belong to. Those who are from God will not be perfect, but they will be shaped by God. Those who continue in evil show that they have not truly seen Him.

This is why the command is serious. Certain behaviors, responses, and ways of living are forbidden for those who follow Christ. We are not free to choose evil because it feels natural. We are not free to copy evil because it seems successful. We are not free to participate in evil because other people are doing it. We must do good, even when evil is the first desire promoted by our flesh. This is where the difficult truth of crucifying our own desires becomes necessary. Not by our strength, but by surrender.

Bad Definitions

One danger is that people begin with bad definitions. If good and evil are defined by man, then every person becomes a law to himself. That is exactly the condition described in Judges: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

This is not freedom. It is rebellion. When man decides what is right in his own eyes, he eventually loses sight of what is right in God’s eyes. The people of God cannot live this way. We are called to receive what God has revealed, not to invent a new standard based on ourselves.

John’s command assumes that good and evil are not imaginary categories. They are real. They are defined by God. That means the church must be careful not to let the world, the flesh, or influential personalities redefine what God has already made clear.

Bad Doctrines

Another danger is bad doctrine. Evil is not only spread by obviously wicked behavior. It can also spread through false teaching. Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the disciples eventually understood that He was speaking about their teaching (Matthew 16:5-12).

This image of leaven is important. Leaven spreads. It works through the whole lump. Paul uses the same image when he warns the Galatians that “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:7-9). He also uses it when warning the Corinthians about tolerating sin in the church (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

The point is that evil influence is rarely content to stay small. Bad doctrine spreads. Tolerated sin spreads. Corrupt examples spread. What is allowed to remain unaddressed can begin to shape the whole body.

This is why John’s warning matters. Diotrephes was not merely a private problem. His evil actions affected the church. He rejected apostolic authority. He spoke wicked nonsense. He refused to welcome faithful brothers. He also put out of the church those who wanted to welcome them (3 John 9-10). That kind of influence could not be ignored.

Bad Examples

A third danger is bad examples. John says not to imitate evil because evil can be imitated. We may not sit under a person as a teacher, but we may still learn from them by watching their ways. We may not admit that they are shaping us, but their example can still begin to affect our desires, our speech, our attitude, and our conduct.

The Scriptures warn about this often. The psalmist confessed that his feet had almost stumbled because he became envious of the arrogant when he saw the prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 73:1-3). This is a real danger. Sometimes evil looks successful. Sometimes pride looks strong. Sometimes wickedness appears to prosper. If we admire it, we may begin to imitate it.

Proverbs warns that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:11-12; Proverbs 16:25). This means we cannot judge a path only by how it appears in the moment. Something may seem right and still lead to destruction.

Proverbs also warns us not to envy a man of violence or choose any of his ways (Proverbs 3:31-32). It says that a man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good (Proverbs 16:29). It also warns not to make close friendship with a man given to anger, lest we learn his ways and entangle ourselves in a snare (Proverbs 22:24-25).

This is the danger John is addressing. Evil is not only around us. Evil can be copied by us. Therefore, we must pay attention to what we admire, what we excuse, and who we allow to influence us.

Follow the Example of Those Who Are in Christ

John does not only tell Gaius what not to imitate. He also gives him someone to consider. “Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true” (3 John 12).

Demetrius stands in contrast to Diotrephes. Diotrephes is the evil example already exposed in the letter. Demetrius is the faithful example John now places before Gaius. John is not only saying, “Do not follow that.” He is also saying, “Look here. This is the kind of man who should be trusted and imitated.”

We do not know everything Demetrius was doing, but we know enough to understand John’s point. Demetrius had a good testimony from everyone, from the truth itself, and from John and his fellow workers (3 John 12). That is a strong endorsement. He was not merely liked. He was not merely popular. He was not merely useful. His life and faithfulness were consistent with the truth.

This matters because the church is shaped by examples. Those who are in places of authority, prestige, or public visibility can influence how others live. Sometimes that influence is obvious. Other times it works quietly. We may begin to repeat the habits, attitudes, and priorities of those we respect without realizing how deeply they are shaping us.

This is why character matters, especially among those who influence the church. When character no longer matters, influence becomes dangerous. A gifted man without godly character can harm the body. A persuasive man without submission to Christ can lead others away from faithfulness. A visible man who does evil can make evil seem acceptable.

John understood this. That is why he calls out Diotrephes and then highlights Demetrius. He is teaching Gaius and the church to discern between examples. Not every influential person should be followed. Not every loud voice should be trusted. Not every visible person is worthy of imitation.

Paul gave a similar command to the Thessalonians. He told them to keep away from any brother walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition they had received. Then he reminded them that he and his fellow workers had given themselves as an example to imitate (2 Thessalonians 3:6-9). Paul understood that teaching and example belong together.

Hebrews also gives this instruction. Believers are told to remember their leaders, those who spoke the word of God to them. They are told to consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:5-9). The command is not simply to admire a person’s ability. It is to consider the outcome of their way of life.

That is an important distinction. The church must not be impressed by charisma alone. The church must not be moved by personality alone. The church must not confuse influence with faithfulness. The question is not only whether someone can speak, lead, or gather attention. The question is whether their life bears witness to the truth.

Demetrius had that kind of testimony. His life was consistent with what was good. He was the kind of example John could place before Gaius without hesitation. In this way, John’s command becomes both a warning and an invitation. Do not imitate evil. Imitate good.

It Is a Matter of Great Importance

John closes the letter by writing, “I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face” (3 John 13-14). Then he says, “Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name” (3 John 15).

As soon as John begins this letter, he brings it to an end. Like 2 John, there was much more that could have been written. But the matter before him was urgent. There was an evil example within the congregation. If left unchecked, that example could lead others away from faithfulness to Christ. John writes because the health of the church matters.

He is concerned that a church that had received a good report was being influenced in an unhealthy way. So he encourages Gaius, exposes the actions of Diotrephes, warns against imitating evil, and then gives Demetrius as an example of good. This is not a small issue. The examples a church follows can either strengthen or damage the body.

John is not writing to be right for right’s sake. He is writing to preserve, build, and maintain fellowship among the body. His goal is not conflict for the sake of conflict. His goal is truth, peace, and faithful fellowship in Christ.

This is why evil influence must be addressed. Scripture shows that corrupt leadership and false teaching are an ever present danger among the people of God. Peter warns that false teachers would arise among the church, bringing destructive heresies, exploiting people with false words, and causing the way of truth to be blasphemed (2 Peter 2:1-3). Paul warns about false apostles and deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ, just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

This danger was also seen in the Old Testament. Isaiah speaks of leaders who guided the people wrongly and led them astray. Those who were guided by them were swallowed up (Isaiah 9:13-17). This shows the seriousness of corrupt influence. When those who lead are wicked, those who follow are harmed.

That is why John’s short letter carries so much weight. Diotrephes was not only behaving badly as an individual. His influence threatened the fellowship and faithfulness of the church. John could not ignore that. Love does not ignore what destroys the body. Peace does not pretend evil is harmless. Fellowship is not preserved by tolerating what leads people away from Christ.

At the same time, John’s final words show the purpose of the warning. He says, “Peace be to you” (3 John 15). He speaks of friends greeting friends. He tells Gaius to greet the friends, each by name (3 John 15). This is personal. This is relational. This is about the real fellowship of real believers.

John is not trying to create suspicion in the church. He is trying to protect peace in the church. He is not trying to divide faithful believers. He is trying to preserve faithful fellowship. The warning against evil serves the goal of love, truth, and peace.

Conclusion

As we close our walk through John’s letters, this final command brings many of John’s themes together. Truth matters. Love matters. Obedience matters. Fellowship matters. Discernment matters. The people of God must not imitate evil, but imitate good (3 John 11).

Good is defined by our Creator and revealed in the person of Christ. We do not define good for ourselves. We receive what God has revealed.

Once we know what is good, we must surrender ourselves to do what is good. This is not done by our strength, but by surrender to the God who has made Himself known to us through Christ.

We must also consider who influences us and who we look up to, because we will follow after them. Diotrephes shows the danger of evil influence. Demetrius shows the blessing of a faithful example. John’s final word to the church is a call to recognize the difference and walk in what is good.

Scripture References

Judges 21:25 This verse shows the danger of people defining right and wrong for themselves. When everyone does what is right in their own eyes, the people drift from God’s standard.

Matthew 16:5-12 Jesus warns His disciples about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. False teaching can spread and shape people like leaven works through dough.

Galatians 5:7-9 Paul warns that even a small amount of corrupt influence can affect the whole body. Bad doctrine can hinder obedience to the truth.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Paul uses the image of leaven to show how tolerated sin can spread. The church is called to sincerity and truth because Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.

Psalm 73:1-3 The psalmist admits that he almost stumbled when he envied the prosperity of the wicked. Evil examples can become tempting when they appear successful.

Proverbs 14:11-12 This passage reminds us that the way that seems right to man can still end in death. Our judgment must be submitted to God’s wisdom.

Proverbs 16:25 This verse repeats the warning that man’s way may seem right but lead to death. What appears good to us must still be tested by God’s truth.

Proverbs 3:31-32 God’s people are warned not to envy violent men or choose their ways. The Lord rejects the devious but draws near to the upright.

Proverbs 16:29 This verse shows that violent men can entice others and lead them into a way that is not good. Evil influence often invites others to follow.

Proverbs 22:24-25 Scripture warns against close friendship with an angry person because we may learn his ways. The people we keep close can shape our own behavior.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 Paul presents himself and his fellow workers as examples to imitate. Faithful teaching should be joined with a faithful way of life.

Hebrews 13:5-9 Believers are told to remember their leaders, consider the outcome of their lives, and imitate their faith. The church should follow examples that are faithful to Christ and sound teaching.

2 Peter 2:1-3 Peter warns that false teachers will arise among the church and bring destructive teachings. Their influence can harm the people of God and cause the truth to be blasphemed.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 Paul warns about false apostles and deceitful workers who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Evil influence is dangerous because it may appear trustworthy.

Isaiah 9:13-17 Isaiah shows the danger of corrupt leaders who guide people wrongly. When those who lead are wicked, those who follow are harmed.