“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) ❤️

It’s not you “will” overcome them.

You HAVE overcome!

This isn’t a motivational speech. It’s truth!

It’s a done deal.
It’s certain.
It’s finished.

Not because of you or me,
but because of Who is in us.

He is greater!

Victory has been won. This temporary life is not the final answer. This life is but a breath, and God’s children may face trial and death here, but we will live victoriously live forever one day with our Lord where there will be no more sorrow or death.

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1John 4:4), and “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev 21:4)

Let’s live in the confidence of these two verses!

I love how the Enduring Word commentary explains this—

“This understanding gives great confidence and spiritual power. For those walking in this truth, victory is assured – they have overcome them. It is a positive statement, not a wishful hope.

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world: This means the Christian has no place for fear. We have many spiritual enemies, but not one of them is greater than Jesus who lives in us.

Earlier in the letter, John brought up the idea of the world and its threat to the Christian life (1 John 2:15-17). He presented the world not as the global earth or the mass of humanity, which God Himself loves (John 3:16). Instead it is the community of sinful humanity that is united in rebellion against God. Here, John suggests that there are forces of spiritual darkness that guide and influence the world.”

Oh friend we see that don’t we?

“They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:5-6)

But God, He is greater!

Because we know Christ—we know the spirit of truth.

Because we know the Word—we recognize the spirit of error.

We see things that are completely wrong being called right. We also see and discern the more subtle ways when the evil one attempts to deceive and confuse us because we’ve learned to listen to the Holy Spirit inside of us telling us something isn’t quite right.

Let’s keep listening and walk confidently in truth, refute the spiritual forces of darkness in this world, and daily choose to follow our Mighty King—for our good and His glory!

read1John

Note – this is a continuation of my study of 1 John.