Greater is he that is in you

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

My heart has been uplifted and mightily encouraged this morning as I read the wondrous words of Scripture. They serve as healing ointment, and as a balm for our souls. We live in this world. We are not of this world, but we are in this world. And, as we look around, we are bombarded through our eyes and our ears by the hideous sinfulness of a depraved world. John tells us in this fourth chapter of the antichrists that are already in the world. They existed in the time of the apostles, they existed in the time of the early church, of all church history, and to this present time. They proliferate the secular world. Many deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. That is the spirit of antichrist! We must watch out for it! We must avoid it! We must warn others of it!

But, beloved, although the devil is strong and active in this world, and is sadly and tragically and wickedly deceiving the ungodly; and although he is the god of this world, and although there are many antichrists about us, we have no need to dispair. Take comfort today! Listen to it! For greater is He that is in you! They may have the devil controlling them, but we have God living in us. They may be controlled by the devil, the flesh, and the lustful eye, but we can be controlled by the Spirit of God! They have nothing of God, we have God in us. Greater is He that is in us than He that is in them. In other words, God is infinitely greater than the devil. Greater is He that dwells within you and abides within you than he that controls and rules and governs everything of the system of this present world.

Now, if this does not comfort the Christian, there may be little hope for comfort. For we may all be comforted, we may all be edified, and we may all be helped by this one statement. The next time you are discouraged, think of the One who dwells in you. The next time you are tempted to despair over the ubiquitous evil on every side, think of He that dwells within us. The next time you think the devil is in charge of all things, remember this—God is greater! Meditate on it one more time! Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world!

“Father, we could never truly render all the praise and glory due to your name that you richly and rightfully deserve. We can only give the sacrifices of our lips, giving thanks to your name for the glorious truth set before us this day. May we never be discouraged by the power of the devil, for his power is truly nothing. It is truly minuscule, minute, infinitesimal compared to the power displayed and exhibited by God through us. Satan is powerless. And may we never forget this truth. And may we submit to and lean on and love the One that dwells within us. May we not have our eyes on the antichrists, but may our eyes be on Christ, who is greater than all. In whose name we humbly pray these things, Amen.”