If we say that, we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
This verse is both awful and wonderful. Awful to be confronted with the fact we are sinners and it is our nature. But wonderful because the relief is to know my struggles against sin, against my sin life is quite "normal." And if God has exposed this truth He has a "way through" for us, which John describes in this very chapter - walking in the light and confessing our sins.
I think this is the best summary of this verse - by David Guzik: The idea that His word is not in us is related to the idea that Jesus is the Word of life (1 John 1:1); if we refuse to see sin in us, we show that Jesus is not in us.
Another part of David Guzik's commentary is worth repeating:
If we say we have no sin: John has introduced the ideas of walking in the light and being cleansed from sin. But he does not for a moment believe that a Christian can become sinlessly perfect.
i. To think that of ourselves is to deceive ourselves, and to say that of ourselves is to lie - the truth is not in us.
ii. There are few people today who think they are sinlessly perfect; but how many of us really think we sin? Many of us will say "I make mistakes" or "I'm not perfect" or "I'm only human," but usually we say such things to excuse or defend ourselves. This is different from know, and admitting, "I am a sinner."
iii. To say that we have no sin puts us in a dangerous place, because God's grace and mercy is extended to sinners. Not "mistakers" or "I'm only human" or "Nobody's perfect" people, but sinners. We need to realize the victory and forgiveness that comes from saying, "I am a sinner - even a great sinner - but I have a Savior who cleanses me from all sin."
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