1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Explanation and Commentary of 1 John 4:4
That lying evil spirits will attempt to attack the Church and deceive believers should not be a surprise. Though Jesus has destroyed Satan and evil, they will not be utterly destroyed until the end of the age. Just like in a war where the decisive battle has been won, but there is still a mop-up operation of enemy operatives to undertake, the Church has been left to plunder the house of the evil one until the final return of Christ.
Just as a conquered, but not annihilated enemy army is dangerous as long they are armed, we must be on guard against these antichrists and unclean spirits, who still hate us, and even more so now that they know their days are numbered. If they can cause any harm before they leave, they will. John warns about these but then encourages the Church because being from God, they have already overcome the evil spirits. Their power to do so comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells in each of us Christians. If we ever suffer loss at the hands of the evil one and his minions, it is not because we do not have what we need to resist, but simply that we have forgotten that “the one who is in [us] is greater than the one who is in the world.”
When we square off against the lies of satan, it is powerful to remember that we have “already overcome them” in Jesus Christ. “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col 2:15).
Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 John 4:4
#1 “You, dear children,”
John addresses the Church as “dear children” of God, and perhaps he even considers himself somewhat of a spiritual father to them. At any rate, he is endeared towards them and writes lovingly.
#2 “are from God…”
Believers come from God, belief comes from God, and we will return to God.
#3 “…and have overcome them,”
The victory is assured and already accomplished. Having been regenerated, believers have already overcome satan, who no longer has any claim on us. The only weapons available to him now are lies and deceit.
#4 “because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
The Christian has more power in his or her little finger than all the demons of hell put together because the believer is the dwelling place of God.
Bible Study on 1 John 4:4
Expert Overview of 1-3 John
Biblical Translations of 1 John 4:4
NIV
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
NLT
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.
ESV
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
KJV
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.
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.
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.