abiding in Him: Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4-6

1 John 4:4-6 (ESV)

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

  We see John's heart for those he writes to when he uses the phrase " little children. “ Every person who disciples another becomes a spiritual parent. Like any loving parent, John desires the best for these believers and wishes to guard them from lies and deceptions. Even greater, however, is God’s love for us. It is the Holy Spirit who leads John to write these words. When God looks at us, He sees us as children. Without Him, we are easily led astray.

            The Spirit of God who lives within us is greater than all that we will face in this world. God Himself dwells inside His sons and daughters. It is God who transforms us through His grace and power. Having a correct understanding of His word and knowing the truth will protect us against lies and deception. The enemy will try to overwhelm us with fear, doubt, and worry, but when our eyes are focused on Christ and we rightly understand all we have in Jesus, we will stand strong and overcome.

5 They are from the world; therefore, they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

            John refers to those he has labeled as anti-Christs. They are false teachers who oppose the truth of God’s Word, aiming to destroy from within. Masquerading as servants of God, their doctrine is found to be false when examined against the truth of Scripture and the nature of Jesus Christ.

            Those who serve the devil and his system will be his mouthpiece. Those who have rejected God and His kingdom will listen to the devil. When John speaks of the world, he refers to those who have given their allegiance to the world system. This system is built upon the lies and deceptions of the devil. Those who are in Christ do not belong to this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. We are simply passing through, and while we are here, we are called to be a light and impact this world for God and His kingdom.

6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this, we know the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error. [1]

            Whoever knows God will live according to Scripture and the apostles' teachings. Those who are not of God and don’t belong to Him will neither listen to Scripture nor live according to it. The Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error highlight the difference between those who live for God and those who do not. The earth is filled with deception and darkness. We must build our lives upon biblical truth and trust Jesus Christ at each step of the way.

            John is a spiritual father who cares deeply for his spiritual children. Lies lurk around every corner. False teaching continues to invade the church and capture the hearts of God’s people. Throughout this letter, John helps us navigate the world we live in. We must abide in Christ and in the truth of God’s word. The only way to recognize a lie for what it is is by knowing and understanding the truth. This understanding comes as we spend time with the Lord, grow in our relationship with Him, and become the sons and daughters God has called us to be. If a person is born again, they belong to God, and their heart belongs to Him.

Prayer

Father, thank you for saving us and setting us apart for your purposes and plans. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to suffer and die in our place. Thank you that our sins are forgiven and that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Father, every day lead and guide me to become the son or daughter you have called me to be. Help me to see and understand the things you want me to see and understand. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Jn 4:4–6.