Praise & Worship – Greater – The Remnant – 6th September 2019

“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 This verse of scripture is one of the most popularly quoted among Christians, it’s right up there with the likes of John 3:16 (“God so loved the world”) and 1 Timothy 1:7 (“God has not given us a spirit of fear”).

A motivational verse for fearless living in a broken and unjust world. Whether it’s dealing with a bad boss, an unfaithful friend, a critic, or with some unmet life goal, this verse is used to encourage Christians that they can overcome any perceived obstacle in their life. When we dwell on this verse, we also need to realize that the Apostle John has a very specific purpose in mind for this statement. It has nothing to do with bad bosses, unfaithful friends, or life dreams. Rather, John tries to assure the believer that they have overcome the false prophets he introduces in verse 1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Keep your eyes peeled and hearts wise to the context of scripture that this scripture holds. It demolishes the lies and unscriptural and baseless advise and teachings we get from those who are not of the spirit, it’s a truthful warning to make us wise in dealings with false teachers around us.

Greater is He that is in us than the one in the world. Trust and grow in intimacy with the One who is greater and dwells in us, and test everything else to see if it is from God, demolish it once it fails the litmus test of the Spirit of God.

We will overcome with Him. Let His Light shine through us and expose every falsity in the hearts of every man, believer and unbeliever alike, and make us the holy and pleasing Living Sacrifice