February 14 - I John 4:4

February 14
I John 4:4

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them, for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

The Apostle John was speaking to those in Ephesus and its surrounding cities – those whom he had pastored over for so many years, calling them his little children. They were precious to him and he was now giving them hope and instruction in the midst of chaos and persecution, telling them that the Holy Spirit who lives within them is greater than Satan who lives and operates in the world.

Will we ever fully comprehend what it means to have the Holy Spirit living within our spirits to comfort, guide, instruct and empower us in this life? To think that we actually have the Spirit of God living within our spirit – the One Who created us? We have been marked, sealed, and now the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives identifies us as belonging to God. And then to think that our bodies are a temple that houses the Holy Spirit of God - that really is something to really meditate on and its responsibility of what it really means. But then, we must always remember - God said it in His Word, I believe it, and each of us, as believers, have the privilege of experiencing Him in operation every day.

But…it is so easy to let life or situations get in the way, which then gives Satan entrance to bring on temptations or problems, which then throws havoc in and upon our lives. Have you noticed that when we keep letting life take over, it gives Satan a foothold to then run rampant over us, and all of a sudden, we wonder how it happened? How did I get into this mess? And how did it happen so fast?  When we allow that to happen, we experience fear, self-condemnation and all kinds of negative emotions, which only diminishes the power of God within us.

This verse then is a reminder to us that we need to keep reminding and repeating to ourselves every day that God is much bigger than Satan – not only in the world, but in us.

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for the indwelling Holy Spirit. Help me to be ever mindful of His presence and His ability to operate within me.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.