1 John 4:4: Overcoming

“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.” 1 John 4:4

At the beginning of this chapter, John tells you that whoever acknowledges that Jesus has come in the flesh is from God. This is recognizing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior.

Now that you recognize this in your own life, you are from God. In today’s verse, John tells you that you have overcome them.

Who is this “them”? These are the spirits and people who are in the world that do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Everywhere you go, everywhere you look you will see people who do not believe in Jesus. Along with the people are the customs and ways that do not teach Jesus as the Savior of the world.

If you are living for God, all these spirits and people are against you. They may seem like a friend, but in the end they will try to destroy you because you do not believe as they do. The world does not want anything to do with Jesus as the Messiah.

Now comes the question of what does it mean to “overcome”? You will not be defeated. They cannot destroy you. At most, they may kill your body, but your soul is safely I God’s hands. Their lies and deception will not be able to harm you.

Can you do this in your own power? No. It is only because Jesus is in you. His Holy Spirit is living in you. God does the work of overcoming in and through you.

In yourself, you would be destroyed in an instant going up against the evil spirits of this world. You are nothing without God. God has absolute power and control in everything. No one or nothing can touch you without permission from God.

Trust in God to protect you in this world. Seek His guidance and power to overcome the spirits of this world. Do not give in to the ways of this world. Be an overcomer. Stand strong in His power and might. You will win with God.

I pray that today God will fill you with His Holy Spirit; that God will give you His strength and guidance to overcome the world; that you will not give into the ways of this world; that God will remove fear of being overcome by the world; and that God will do mighty things in and through you.