Encouragement for Your Week: January 4-10
This Week’s Verse
My dear children, you belong to God, so you have already defeated these false prophets. That’s because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. - 1 John 4:4 ERV
Devotion
When John talks about “the one who is in you,” he is pointing to the Holy Spirit. The moment we place our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God gives us His Spirit to live within us. This is the Helper Jesus promised would come after He returned to heaven (John 16:7). We are not left on our own to figure out life or faith. God Himself takes up residence within us, giving us strength, guidance, and help that goes far beyond our own abilities.
So who is “the one who is in the world”? Scripture makes it clear that this is Satan, the one Jesus called the ruler of this world (John 12:31). He stands behind false prophets and false teachings that twist the truth about Jesus and salvation. John even calls him the “father of lies” (John 8:44), because deception is his main weapon.
There is no denying that Satan and his influence are powerful, but they are not greater. The Holy Spirit who lives in us is God Himself—the third person of the Trinity, fully united with the Father and the Son. Satan, on the other hand, is only a created being. No matter how intimidating he may seem, his power cannot compare to the power of God’s Spirit.
This truth has real, everyday meaning for our lives. Because the greater one lives within us, we are not helpless or easily fooled. We have already overcome the lies of false prophets, and we do not have to be deceived by them (1 John 2:26–27). When false ideas about Jesus or salvation come our way, the Spirit within us helps us recognize the truth and hold onto it.
This week, take time to really think about how valuable this is. When it comes to the most important truth you could ever know—who Jesus is and how we are saved—God has not left you vulnerable. The one who is greater lives within you, faithfully guarding your heart and mind against deception.