1st 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.” OVERCOME THEM. There is strength when they come to promote what they think – Many will be attracted to what is wrong. Their strength lies in the fair speeches and good words they speak – And the ability they have to sound strong.
But He that is greater is in all the children born of God – He is stronger far than he that leads them. The Spirit of God is limitless giving power through the Word – The power He has is not rooted down in sin.
The inward guidance of the Spirit, leads us into truth – He dwells in us and keeps us away from error. The Spirit of Truth in our hearts enables us to overcome the false – Divine intuition is what God implanted there.
The Spirit of God who moved upon the face of the waters at the first – Is the same Person who lives within this temple. The Spirit’s power and authority has not diminished in the least The defense against the enemy we face is more than ample.
I may not understand at times the reality of overcoming strength God has given and is available to all who on it lay hold. But I am well assured from the spiritual consciousness God gives – I will not yield to those false teachers who often seem so bold. “O Gracious God, thanks so much for giving us the indwelling Holy Spirit. The divine intuition and guidance that He gives is a wonderful safeguard to us who live in this body of sinful flesh. By Thy grace, keep me from giving an ear to those who have tried, and still do try to lead people astray but their false teaching. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
"The spirit of antichrist" that is already in the world, is the antichristian attitude and activity that is going on now even though the Antichrist is not yet revealed. He is coming and that "mystery of iniquity" will be openly seen when "the man of sin" is revealed. However, even though there is evil rampant around us in the world, and the wickedness of man is getting worse, this should not cause us to doubt or fear what is going to happen to us. The word "them" refers to those who are false. The word "you" refers to the believers who were reading the words of 1st John. The word "we" is a reference to the apostles and those trusted teachers of the word of God.
Unbelievers who are in the world, and of the world will listen to false teachers. They listen because those who teach and give the secular worldview do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian worldview is much different. We are not overwhelmed nor should we be frightened by what is happening around us, because the Holy Spirit is in us. It is true that the powers of darkness and evil are stronger that we are in ourselves, but God is stronger that any and all evil. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." God's Spirit and God's word is in God's people and we are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
A discerning life is important for fellowship with God and His people to be maintained. Fellowship's cautions are concerning the lying spirits (teaching) of false prophets who do not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. They are of the world, speak of the world, the world hears them and they will not listen to what spiritual believers say and teach. Christians who faithfully teach the word of God will not be listened to by those who do not want their lives exposed or their sin denounced. They do not want to conduct their lives as followers of Christ. They do not want to change their behavior to be consistent with the teaching of the word of God. Therefore, we must test the teaching we hear, reject that which is false and practice that which is true.