“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” 1 John 4.4-6
Have you ever woken up and just needed a little encouragement? Maybe just a push to get out of bed, go to work or school? Happens to me all the time. Why not begin each day with this truth of Scripture — “You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
The good news of the Gospel is this — anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. It’s not an “if” or conditional on your behavior or upbringing. Anyone who calls upon Jesus will experience salvation, justification, redemption. And you are his “dear children,” according to John, and have overcome “them” — the world, evil, sin and the ungodly.
The promise is clear — the one who is in you, which is Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, is greater than the devil — the one who is in the world. This is the spirit of the antichrist which John has been talking about. The spirit of evil that reigns in this world. It was the same then as it is today — a battle for your soul, heart, mind and strength
So how do we know who is from the Lord and who is from the devil? Those from the world “speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them,” v.5. But “we are from God,” writes John in v.6. “Whoever knows God listens to us’ but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.” And this is how we know good from evil — we can “recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”
Today may not be a great day for you initially, but hold fast to God. Turn to the Lord. Remember that you are not alone. Although you might have troubles in this world, Jesus has overcome the world. For “greater is the one (Jesus) who is in you than the one who is in the world.”
“O Lord God, I need this reminder today. I see the spirit of the antichrist, evil and the devil all around. I feel the temptations to do my own thing and break God’s law. This draw to run from God is so natural in us! But you are my Savior and my hope. You are the reason for this moment. All that I have I place in your hands and trust to your care. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Help me know the truth of your grace and the walk with you. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen