​

Ask God: John tells us to live a life of services to God and man. He uses Gaius and Demetrius as example to show hospitality and truth. John then points out Diotrephes as a self-center man who lives his life with his ego in control. His ego wants to control those around him which places him at the center of attention.

Good Evening Reader,

You know how some people have an inner spark while others have no light. John's examples of these three men help to guide our service to the Lord. Like 2 John, he writes about love and truth. Demonstration of our love reveals who we are in Christ.

May God bless you abundantly this day.

All Glory to God.

Elvin

When Truth Walks, Integrity Shines:

The Personal Choice Every Believer Faces

Text: 3 John

The Apostle John, known as “the Elder,” writes this short letter with the wisdom of an experienced leader. Through it, he teaches and prepares believers to recognize the character of people—especially those in positions of leadership. John reminds us that not everyone follows God’s will; some choose to pursue their own ambitions and desires instead of submitting to His direction.

In this brief epistle, John introduces us to three men whose lives paint very different pictures of Christian character. Gaius is a faithful servant who walks in truth and shows love in action. Diotrephes stands in contrast—a proud and self-centered man who seeks control and recognition. Then there is Demetrius, whose consistent integrity and godly reputation make him a model believer.

Through these three examples, John teaches the church how to discern true leadership from false ambition, and how to live as followers of Christ who walk in both truth and love.

Gaius — The Faithful Encourager (3 John 1–8)

John begins by commending Gaius, calling him “beloved” and rejoicing that he “walks in the truth.” Gaius lived out his faith in visible, practical ways. He was known for his warm hospitality toward traveling teachers and missionaries—people he often didn’t even know personally. His generosity reflected a heart fully surrendered to God.

John celebrates this faithfulness, saying, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (verse 4). To John, Gaius represented what every believer should be—steady in faith, sincere in love, and consistent in living out the truth.

Gaius reminds us that faith is more than belief; it’s love in motion. When we support others in ministry, show kindness to strangers, and serve without seeking attention, we display the heart of Christ.

Thoughts to Ponder: Be a Gaius in your generation—live your faith daily, support God’s work joyfully, and let your life be a reflection of truth and love.

Diotrephes — The Prideful Opposer (3 John 9–10)

In sharp contrast to Gaius, John turns his attention to Diotrephes, a man whose heart reveals the danger of pride within the church. John describes him as one who “loves to be first among them.” Those few words reveal a great deal about his character. Diotrephes craved attention and authority. Instead of humbly serving God’s people, he sought to control them.

John exposes Diotrephes’ behavior: he rejected apostolic authority, spread malicious talk, and even refused to welcome the traveling missionaries whom Gaius had so kindly received. Worse still, he punished those who tried to do right by putting them out of the church (verse 10). His actions weren’t just against John—they were against the truth itself.

The motive behind Diotrephes’ behavior was pride. He wanted to be seen as important, to hold power, and to silence anyone who might threaten his influence. John calls out this spirit of self-exaltation because it divides the church and dishonors Christ.

Pride is subtle but destructive. It blinds us to truth and poisons relationships. John’s warning is clear: beware of those who love power more than people, and position more than truth.

Thoughts to Ponder: True leadership in the church is never about control or recognition—it’s about service. As Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). The spirit of Diotrephes still exists today wherever pride rules the heart. Let us instead humble ourselves, that Christ might be exalted through us.

Demetrius: A Model Worth Following

After warning about the prideful Diotrephes, John turns our attention to a bright example—Demetrius. John writes, “Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true” (3 John 1:12). Those are powerful words. Demetrius didn’t need to promote himself; his life spoke louder than any sermon.

Demetrius lived what he believed. His faith, kindness, and truthfulness were so consistent that others couldn’t help but notice. The “truth itself” testified for him—meaning that his life aligned perfectly with God’s Word. What a reputation to have!

In today’s world, where image often matters more than integrity, Demetrius reminds us that the most significant influence comes from a faithful life. Like John and Gaius, he was a Crusader for Christ, living out truth and love in practical, everyday ways. He didn’t need recognition—he simply reflected Jesus. His example echoed the words of Jesus: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Thoughts to Ponder: John lifts up Demetrius as a model worth following because every generation needs examples of faithful living. A Crusader for Christ doesn’t fight with words or weapons but with character, compassion, and conviction. People like Demetrius remind us that the Gospel is most powerful when it’s lived, not just preached.

Conclusion — Three Men, Three Lessons for the Church Today

In this short but powerful letter, the Apostle John, the Elder, paints three portraits that still resonate clearly to the church today.

Gaius shows us what it means to walk in truth and love. His life was marked by kindness, generosity, and faithfulness. He didn’t just believe the gospel — he lived it.

Diotrephes warns us of what happens when pride takes root in the heart. His desire for control and recognition disrupted the fellowship and pushed others away. Pride still divides churches today, just as it did then.

Demetrius reminds us that integrity and a godly reputation are powerful witnesses. His life testified to the truth without him ever needing to boast or defend himself.

John’s message through these men is timeless:

Walk in truth.

Love with sincerity.

Lead with humility.

The health of any church depends on believers who model the spirit of Gaius and Demetrius—people who serve faithfully and live consistently before God. And every believer must guard against the spirit of Diotrephes—where pride, power, and personal ambition overshadow God’s purpose.

When the church is filled with truth and love, God’s light shines brightly through it. As John wrote elsewhere, “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light” (John 3:21).

Closing Reflections:

As we look at these three men, let’s ask ourselves:

• Am I walking in truth like Gaius?

• Am I serving humbly like Demetrius?

• Or have I allowed the pride of Diotrephes to creep into my heart?

God calls each of us to be living examples of His truth — humble, loving, and steadfast. When we walk in that truth, the church grows stronger, our witness shines brighter, and Christ receives the glory He deserves.

“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” (3 John 11)

Elvin

The Path of Love and Truth

Ask God For Help

Christian faith

PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends.

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin.aycock@AskGodForHelp.net and let me know what you think of the lessons.

Go to: www.AskGodForHelp.net

To See More Living Life Lessons

​

​