The Holy Spirit is greater than he who is in the world

I John 4:4 (NCV)

My dear children, you belong to God and have defeated them; because God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.

When I was in my early 30s and just starting to make significant advances in my spiritual growth, the pastor who had the greatest influence on me was Pastor Adrian Rogers of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.  I did not attend his church on Sundays as I was a member of another church in a Memphis suburb (Germantown), but I did attend his Thursday lunchtime Bible studies and listening to many of his sermon tapes.  I have not heard another pastor with such a deep, booming voice as Dr. Rogers so I’ll never forget the time that his melodious voice declared as if God were speaking, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world”.  I’ll never forget the impact that his voice and these words had on me. 

Children of God are those who do what is right and love others (I John 3:10).  All people are born as children of God, but the Bible teaches that all children born since Adam and Eve are born into sin.  Since God hates sin, true children of God are those who choose to be “born again” (read what Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:1-18).  Who are those who children of God have defeated?  False teachers (I John 4:1-3), those who do not acknowledge that Jesus is from God.  God’s Spirit is greater than the devil.  Reminds me of the old riddle, “What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich need it and if you eat it you'll die?”  Answer:  Nothing!

How can we be certain that the Bible is true with respect to this claim that the Holy Spirit is greater than Satan or any other evil spirit that exists in the world?  This is a magnificent and powerful claim since we all know about the power and prevalence of evil that exists in this world.  All we read about, listen to, and watch on news headlines are stories about murder, war, violence, lying, stealing, and all other kinds of evil that produce death, loss, agony, heartache, despair, and grief.  How can we hope that the source of all evil in this world is weaker and defeated by God?

One of the best examples in the Scriptures is the story of Job.  Read Job chapters 1 and 2 and you will read that Satan only had power over Job that God gave him permission to have.  Col 2:13-15 says that Jesus’ death on the cross “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities” (NLT, verse 15).  Hebrews 2:14-15 claims that Jesus’ death rendered Satan powerless.  Oh, Satan still has power, clearly evidenced by all the evil that exists in the world.  But, he no longer has the power of death over those who believe in Jesus as Savior.  Those who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord have the Holy Spirit within their souls.  Indeed, the Holy Spirit is greater than Satan. 

Whenever you are tempted to do evil, remember this promise from I John 4:4.  You have power over evil, over false teaching, over anything that might be against God.  Whenever unbelievers challenge you about your faith, you hold fast to this truth that you have power because God is greater than the ruler of this world.  Satan is ruler of this world because for the time being God allows him to be.  Someday, as Jesus taught in His prayer, the will of God will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  But, for now, God allows Satan to rule the earth (John 12:31, 12:40, II Cor 4:4).  Why, we don’t know, only God’s infinite wisdom knows.  For now He chooses to allow Satan to rule over mankind just as He chose Satan to rule over Job.  God tests the free will of mankind to choose either to follow Satan or to follow God.  Just realize that when you choose to follow God, He gives you power within you to overcome any evil confronting you. 

Who might be false teachers in your life against whom you can claim that you have power over them?  Do you know for certain that the Holy Spirit dwells within you, i.e. have you given your life to Christ so that the Holy Spirit is sealed within you (Eph 1:13)?  In what way(s) have you experienced the Holy Spirit of God being greater than the one who is in the world?  What circumstances might exist in your life right this minute where you need to stand firm and claim this great truth and promise?  Never underestimate the power of God and never doubt this truth that greater is He in you than he who is in the world.