John wrote, We know (Οἴδαμεν, a form of εἴδω) that everyone fathered (γεγεννημένος, a form of γεννάω) by God does not sin (ἁμαρτάνει, a form of ἁμαρτάνω), but God protects (τηρεῖ, a form of τηρέω) the one he has fathered (γεννηθεὶς, another form of γεννάω), and the evil one cannot touch (ἅπτεται, a form of ἅπτω) him.¹  This is one of the most frightening verses in the Bible to me (taken out of context).

If I am born of God, then I do not sin.  I sin.  Therefore I am not born of God.

This is a perfectly valid argument called modus tollens, denying the consequent.  On the other hand, If we say we have not sinned (ἡμαρτήκαμεν, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we make (ποιοῦμεν, a form of ποιέω) him a liar and his word (λόγος)² is not in us.³  Some context will help me understand my position between this rock and hard place and disentangle the fear of my religious mind from the Gospel (1 John 1:5-8 NET).

Now this is the gospel message we have heard from him and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all [Table].  If we say we have (ἔχομεν, a form of ἔχω) fellowship (κοινωνίαν, a form of κοινωνία) with him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing (ποιοῦμεν, a form of ποιέω) the truth (ἀλήθειαν, a form of ἀλήθεια).  But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have (ἔχομεν, a form of ἔχω) fellowship (κοινωνίαν, a form of κοινωνία) with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses (καθαρίζει, a form of καθαρίζω) us from all sin (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία) [Table].  If we say we do not bear (ἔχομεν, a form of ἔχω) the guilt of sin (ἁμαρτίαν, another form of ἁμαρτία), we are deceiving ourselves and the truth (ἀλήθεια) is not in us.

Though the word translated gospel message above is ἀγγελία rather than εὐαγγέλιον, I don’t think the NET translators have made a mistake.  This is truly more information about the Gospel, particularly as the Gospel relates to truth, lying and deception.

The passage continues (1 John 1:9, 10 NET):

But if we confess (ὁμολογῶμεν, a form of ὁμολογέω) our sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία), he is faithful (πιστός) and righteous (δίκαιος), forgiving (ἀφῇ, a form of ἀφίημι) us our sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία) and cleansing (καθαρίσῃ, another form of καθαρίζω) us from all unrighteousness (ἀδικίας, a form of ἀδικία).  If we say we have not sinned (ἡμαρτήκαμεν, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we make (ποιοῦμεν, a form of ποιέω) him a liar and his word (λόγος) is not in us.

Here I find what it means to walk in the light as opposed to in the darkness.

John continued, stating his purpose and quieting the fear of my religious mind (1 John 2:1, 2 NET):

(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin [ἁμάρτητε, another form of ἁμαρτάνω].)  But if anyone does sin (ἁμάρτῃ, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we have an advocate (παράκλητον, a form of παράκλητος) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One (δίκαιον, a form of δίκαιος), and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins (ἁμαρτιῶν, a form of ἁμαρτία), and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

With my fear overcome I see one aspect of God’s protection (τηρεῖ, a form of τηρέω) and one potential meaning for everyone fathered (γεγεννημένος, a form of γεννάω) by God does not sin (ἁμαρτάνει, a form of ἁμαρτάνω).⁴  Sins that God forgives are also forgotten by God.  But is there more to his τηρέω than that?  (Frankly, I would rather not sin in the first place.)