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1 John 4:4 - The Stronger One.

1 John 4:4 (NKJV) You are of God, little 
children, and have overcome them, because He who is in 
you is greater than he who is in the world. 

COMMENTARY PEARLS

   It seems as though every phone on the 
market constantly has a new version coming out. 
Each time there are new features, but all I 
really want is a phone that has enough battery life 
to get me through the day. 
   I dont care about the color of the 
phone or all the extras, because those things 
dont help me when Im constantly plugging in, 
recharging, plugging in, and recharging. 
   In the Christian life, however, we want 
to stay permanently plugged in. We want to stay 
plugged in to Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us, 
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in 
the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10 
NKJV). 
   But the Devil doesnt want that. He 
wants to get you as far away from God as he 
possibly can. So, heres what you need to do: Start 
your day with the Lord. When you get up in the 
morning, dont start your day with social media. 
Dont start your day with checking your emails or 
texts or the news - especially these days.  
   Instead, start your day with the Word of 
God and with prayer. That will equip you to deal 
with all the stuff that comes your way during the 
day through your emails, texts, and everything 
else. 
   And remember this simple statement: He 
who is in you is greater than he who is in the 
world (1 John 4:4 NKJV). In other words, God is 
more powerful than the Devil and all the demons. 
   Thats why I stand in the Lord and in 
the power of His might. I dont stand in 
myself and the power of my own might, because I can 
quickly collapse - just like you can. 
   Stand in the Lord and in the power of His 
might. And keep as much distance from the Devil as 
possible. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

   Do not be misled: Satan is strong in 
power and cunning. He has laid low some of God's 
choicest servants because they underestimated him and 
overestimated themselves. Even Samson with all his 
strength was no match for Satan. Nor was Solomon with 
all his wisdom.  
   So how can you keep the devil and his 
buddies out of your "house"? One stronger than the 
one who controls you must deliver you. Only one 
qualifies as stronger than Satan: Jesus Christ.  
   I want to make it clear that genuine 
Christians need not fear being possessed or controlled 
by demons; Jesus is not into a time-sharing 
program with Satan. The Bible tells us, "He who has 
been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked 
one does not touch him." (1 John 5:18)  
   Oh, Satan may knock on the doors and 
rattle the windows. He may threaten to "huff and 
puff and blow the house down." But he cannot 
enter because someone stronger has taken up 
residence. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that 
is in the world." (1 John 4:4 KJV) From 
Breakfast with Jesus by Greg Laurie (Tyndale House) pp 
55-56 mod 

COMMENTARY

   At the time of Israels exodus from 
Egypt, there was no mightier army on the face of 
the earth than Pharaohs army. Imagine what it 
must have been like for the Israelites to see 
that army pursuing them with chariots and horses, 
with shields and swords and spears. If it were 
happening today, it would have been tanks and hummers 
and aircraft coming at them all at the same 
time. 
   The Israelites thought they were dead. So 
what did Moses tell them to do? He said, 
Dont be afraid. Just stand still and watch the 
Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see 
today will never be seen again. The Lord himself 
will fight for you. Just stay calm (Exodus 
14:13"14 NLT). Just stay calm  Thats kind of 
hard to do. 
   Sometimes the devil comes at us with 
everything he has, with all his temptations and all his 
deceptions. We think were not going to survive it. 
Yes, we will. The Bible says, But you belong 
to God, my dear children. You have already won 
a victory over those people, because the 
Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit 
who lives in the world (1 John 4:4 NLT). 
   Christ is in you. You belong to the Lord. 
Yes, the devil can tempt you. He can hassle you. 
But he cannot overcome you, because you are 
under Gods protection. 
   That is why Ephesians 6 tells us about 
the believers spiritual armor: the helmet of 
salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword 
of the Spirit, and so forth. But before the 
apostle Paul begins describing this spiritual armor, 
he writes, A final word: Be strong in the 
Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10 
NLT). 
   Stand still and watch the Lord rescue you 
today. [By Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

Anytime we resist some temptation, overcome 
some spiritual challenge, or triumph in a contest 
of faith, we do so because God's Spirit lives 
in us. We move ahead in a walk with God by 
relying on His power, not ours. [Life Principles SB 
By Charles Stanley] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Living by Relying On Gods Power
   Perhaps you've already experienced the 
yo-yo syndrome in your Christian life - feeling 
strong in your faith one minute and then giving in 
to temptation the next minute. Back and forth. 
Up and down. Sometimes it feels as if the pull 
of sin is so strong that there is nothing that 
can overpower it. But there is something 
stronger in us: "the Spirit of God ... lives in you" 
(8:11). And "the Spirit who lives in you is greater 
than the spirit who lives in the world" (1 John 
4:4, December 4).  
   If God's Spirit is in us, why do we still 
struggle with sin? One reason is that even though we 
are God's children, we still have our human 
nature. We will wrestle with the old nature until we 
go to heaven. But Paul reminded his Roman 
readers that they had no obligation to that little 
voice that says, "Go ahead, you know you want to 
... Once we become Christians, our only 
obligation is to the Spirit, who calls us to a better 
life, a more alive life.  
   Learning how to live by God's Spirit is 
the process through which we grow as Christians. 
Learn to pray for God's Spirit to give you 
strength to stand - even against your own sinful 
nature when necessary. [The One Year Bible for New 
Believers re Rom. 8:9-14] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC

Romans 8:31 - Winners In Christ.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170821-2011.html 

Colossians 1:27 - Christ In You, The Hope Of 
Glory. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20161104-0940.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: 
https://bible.awr.org/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657