THE GREATER ONE
1 JOHN 4:4 NKJV
4 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.
Chapter four is a wonderful chapter, particularly when it comes to the topic of divine love. John declares that love is a vital way of knowing God, for God is love.
But our verse for today is one of my favorite Bible verses, definitely in my top 20. It's hard to narrow down favorites because God's Word is alive and different verses speak to us during different seasons of life. But verse four transcends all seasons.
You are of God and have overcome them. The 'them' that John refers to are the false prophets and the spirit of the Antichrist. John does not want his spiritual children to be afraid of the evil spiritual forces that are in the world. He wants them to be aware but not afraid. One of the reasons God's children are not to be afraid is that they are of God. Born of God and part of God's family. Born overcomers in Christ and born with life and light in their spiritual DNA. Children of God. And our God is so much bigger than Satan and the forces of evil.
And John is not done. The biggest reason God's children are overcomers is because the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. The scriptures state He who is in you is greater. He, meaning a divine personality. He, meaning the Holy Spirit, the Helper who was sent to indwell believers and empower them to carry on the works of Jesus and advance His Kingdom.
This is a short verse with powerful ramifications.
APPLICATION
To really get the most out of this verse, it is important to know about the Holy Spirit and His ministry in our lives. The more we know about Him, the more we'll be able to look to Him. Jesus told His disciples before the cross that it would be to their advantage that He went away, referring to going back to heaven after His resurrection. This news was most likely met with skepticism or bewilderment. How could Jesus say that to the ones who had walked with Him for three years and experienced life with the Son of God? But Jesus was not prone to hyperbole or exaggeration. He was the embodiment of truth. And if He said that the Holy Spirit's indwelling would be an advantage, our best bet is to agree.
And now that the Greater One is living in us, we don't have to be afraid of the darkness in the world. We are born to the winning family and empowered with the Holy Spirit, who is mightier than any force of darkness.
So grateful for the Greater One.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for sending the Holy Spirit to live in me and empower me. Thank You that He is greater than any force of the evil one. I am grateful to be part of Your strong overcoming family.