Book of 1 John Chapter 4 Vs. 4

 Test the Spirits

1 John 4:4 "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."

Ye are of... See evidences of this, 1Jhn. 2:3. Hereby we do know that we know him. Twenty-one reasons we do know that we know Him:

1. By personal fellowship (1Jhn. 1:3-7; 2:13)

2. Fullness of joy in the heart (1Jhn. 1:4)

3. Keeping His commandments (1Jhn. 2:3; 3:22)

4. Walking even as He walked (1Jhn. 2:6)

5. Love of the brethren (1Jhn. 2:9-11; 3:10-19, 3:23; 4:7-21; 5:1)

6. Overcoming the world and Satan (1Jhn. 2:13-14; 5:4, 5:18)

7. Hatred of the world (1Jhn. 2:15-17)

8. Being one with Christians (1Jhn. 2:19)

9. Holy Spirit anointing (1Jhn. 2:20-27)

10. Knowing the truth that sets free (1Jhn. 2:21; John 8:32-36)

11. Acknowledging God and Christ (1Jhn. 2:22-25)

12. Doing righteousness (1Jhn. 2:29; 3:7-10; 5:1-4, 5:18)

13. Purifying ourselves (1Jhn. 3:3)

14. Being born again (1Jhn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1-18)

15. Cleansing from sin (1Jhn. 1:7-9; 3:5-10)

16. Freedom from condemnation (1Jhn. 3:20-24)

17. The indwelling Spirit (1Jhn. 3:24; 4:4, 4:13)

18. Faith (1Jhn. 2:23; 5:1, 5:10)

19. Confessing Christ (1Jhn. 4:14-15)

20. Receiving Christ (1Jhn. 5:10-13; John 1:12)

21. Answered prayer (1Jhn. 3:21-22; 5:14-15)

If (since) we keep his commandments to be saved, one must keep His commandments not merely start keeping them but continue in keeping them. If the condition is to keep them, then upon this basis only will God bless and save people (Rom. 1:5; Jas 1:22-25; 1Pet. 1:2).

greater is he... Referring to the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer (1Jhn. 4:4, 4:13; 3:24). Believers need to be aware and alert to false teaching, but not afraid, since those who have experienced the new birth with its indwelling of the Holy Spirit have a built in check against false teaching (2:20, 27). The Holy Spirit leads into sound doctrine for genuine Christians, evidencing that salvation has actually occurred (Rom. 8:17).

True believers have nothing to fear, for even Satan hosts with their perversions can't take them out of the Lord's hand. Here, as in 2:18-27, protection against error or victory over it are guaranteed by sound doctrine and the indwelling Holy Spirit who illumines the mind.

John is writing this to true Christians children of God. The He that is in us is Christ.

he that is... Satan (1Jhn. 4:4, 4:6; 2:13-14; 3:8-10; 5:18; Eph. 2:2; 4:27; 6:10-18).

Gal. 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

With Christ in me, I can do all things. It is Christ in me that overcomes the enemy.

He who is in you is the Ruach HaKodesh the Holy Spirit. He who is in the world is Your enemy, the Adversary, Satan, who stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1Pet. 5:8).

Up to now, the writer assured his dear children teknia; cf. sees 1Jhn. 2:12), the readers, that they had overcome these antichrists. The readers had successfully resisted the antichrists false prophets by means of the One who is in them no doubt another reference to the Spirit; cf. 1Jhn. 3:24; 4:2). Reliance on God is the secret of all victory whether over heresy or any other snare. The indwelling One the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer (1Jhn. 3:24; 4:13; Rom. 8:9) and is thus the One who is in you is mightier than the one who is in the world, namely, Satan (cf. 1Jhn. 5:19). He is called the prince of this world (John 12:31); the god of this Age (2Cor. 4:4); and the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Eph. 2:2).