Overcoming the World in Christ

"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." (1 John 4: 4)

Every word of God is inspired.

Never should we gloss over the truth which the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to us in His Word.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3: 16)

"Scripture" in the verse is "graphe", which means "Scriptures" or "a thing written" more generally.

and

"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4: 4)

So, let us look over this wonderful verse word for word.


"Ye are of God"

This has been the truth from the beginning:

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (Genesis 1: 26)

We came from God, and in God that is where we belong. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection on the Cross, we are not just with God, but in the family, in His Son:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)

We are of God, dear children in Christ.

We have already overcome, or claimed victory. How? In Christ, of course?

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8: 37)

You cannot know victory in this world until you know that Christ has overcome all things (John 16: 3)

Look to the last part of the verse above:

"greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Do not look at yourself for greatness. There is no glory in ourselves:

"And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence." (1 Corinthians 1: 28-29)

In Christ, there is all glory:

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1: 27)

But who is this "he" who is in the world? Satan, and you have nothing to fear from him, either:

"Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." (John 12: 31)

and then

"8And when he [The Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)

Satan is cast out, he is judged, and he is completely powerless, too!

"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:1 3-15)

That last part, "spoiled" means "disarmed", in that Jesus took away the one weapon that Satan, the Accuser of the Brethren, uses against us -- God's law, which has been fulfilled and put away because of Jesus' Finished Work at the Cross.

You have overcome the world in Christ, Beloved -- Rejoice and be exceeding glad!