He Who is in You

Text: 1 John 4:1-6

Antichrist.

What a powerful word. For me, it conjures up some pretty intense images. While I don’t focus on the Antichrist much in my day to day thinking (as that isn’t in line with Philippians 4:8), it is part of our story.

As we read today’s passage, take note of this verse:

“…but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” (1 John 4:3)

What does this mean to us? It means that the core part of the Antichrist is already on earth. It’s in our media. It’s in the people who know about Christ and deny Him. It’s part of when we’re encouraged to blame our sin on our genetic makeup instead of taking responsibility for it. It’s in the false prophets. The Antichrist’s spirit of destruction and trickery is everywhere (Romans 8:9).

This leaves me wondering how anyone who doesn’t have a firm grasp of their faith yet can become aware of this around them? How do you stand strong against such deception? How do you “[p]ut on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil”? (Ephesians 6:11).

John tells us how: 
“…because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

The wonderful, amazing thing about the Holy Spirit in a Christian is that He tunes our hearts to detect the falsehoods presented to us, even if we are new to the Bible or our faith. When we are faced with “the spirit of the antichrist” as John mentions (v.3), our hearts are pricked with the feeling that something isn’t right. Even when the Lie is bundled up in warm fuzzies and a pretty bow, the Holy Spirit speaks the Truth directly to our hearts so we can know the difference. So whether you first professed Jesus as your savior yesterday or you’ve been a Christian your whole life, being hidden in Christ means you have his Spirit to guide you, no matter the lies the world presents to you.

As children of the God who already conquered the evil one who is in this world, we can rejoice in Him and tune our hearts to His Word, so that we might stand firm in our faith.

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 

1 john 4:6

Written by Diana Stone for shereadstruth

Posted by Kachi