There is an interesting statement in 1 John 3:9 that has confused some folks. Some translations read that the one who “has been born of God does not sin” and “he cannot sin.” What does that mean that “he cannot sin”? It cannot mean that a Christian does not actually sin and that he is unable to sin, because in the first chapter, John said, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1:8). And he shows what happens when we, as God’s children, sin (1:7, 9; 2:1-2). So what does “does not sin” and “cannot sin” mean?
Some of the newer translations help a bit. The verb tense used in 1 John 3:9 is the Greek present tense, which denotes an ongoing, continual action. The verse could literally read: “Whoever has been born of God does not make it a practice to continue sinning, for God’s seed continues to abide in him; and he cannot continue to practice sinning, because he has been born of God.” Does a Christian sin? Yes, everyone does. But a faithful Christian does not make it a practice to keep on sinning, because He is striving to be like Jesus, in whom “there is no sin” (3:5).