This is the manuscript for the tenth in a series of messages from John’s first epistle “The Counsel of a Spiritual Father to His Children.”
1 John 4:1 NIV “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world”.
John outlined four ways in which we can deal with and handle the impostors, the representatives of Satan. Those passing the counterfeit bills to Christians and those to whom we witness.
The four ways are
For an audio recording of the sermon click the YouTube link at the end of this manuscript.
You can see the entire service from OCTOBER 4 ,2020 on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/CslRKk3DXHc
1 John 4:1 NIV “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world”.
John outlined four ways in which we can deal with and handle the impostors, the representatives of Satan. Those passing the counterfeit bills to Christians and those to whom we witness.
The four ways are
- Recognize who our enemies are
- Realize our own identity
- Emphasize the truth
- Preach the gospel
For an audio recording of the sermon click the YouTube link at the end of this manuscript.
You can see the entire service from OCTOBER 4 ,2020 on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/CslRKk3DXHc
Scripture Reading:
1 John 4:1-10 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 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. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Text:
1 John 4:1 NIV “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world”.
Introduction
Nothing is simple about Satan. This archenemy of God and humankind likes nothing better than to be portrayed as a red-skinned simpleton with horns and a pitchfork to be laughed at and joked about. He feels quite comfortable when he is linked to the Halloween setting, complete with witches and goblins and ghosts. He is equally at home with cultured intellectuals, who smile condescendingly at the “myth” of Satan, regarding him merely as a superstitious carryover from primitive religion.
But the truth of the matter is that “Satan is alive and well.” And in every generation he updates his methods of attack.
However, having said that, we know that Satan has already been defeated.
Colossians 2:13-15 NIV When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
And we know his ultimate end.
Revelation 20:10 NIV And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
But just as a wounded animal is more dangerous and ferocious than at any other time in its life, so it is with Satan, who has been mortally wounded by Jesus Christ. The death-dealing blow was inflicted when Jesus cried from the cross.
John 19:30 NIV When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
However, although mortally wounded with no chance of recovery, Satan is using every thing at his disposal to keep unbelievers blinded from the truth. He can't possess us because the Holy Spirit is in us but, if we allow it he can sure harass us.
In the scripture that Jean read 1 John 4:1-10 John outlined four ways in which we can deal with and handle the impostors, the representatives of Satan. Those passing the counterfeit bills to Christians and those to whom we witness.
The four ways are
- Recognize who our enemies are
- Realize our own identity
- Emphasize the truth
- Preach the gospel
I. First, John said that we must recognize our enemy (1 John 4:1, 3).
1 John 4:1-3 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
A. Note that John said we are not to “believe every spirit,” but we are to “test the spirits” (NIV).
Now we know, because I have talked about them, that many false spirits exist in the world, and we need to be aware of them.
One is the “human spirit,” which is subject to satanic influence until it comes under the control of Jesus Christ.
We talked about this spirit a few weeks ago when we talked about counterfeits and the counterfeiters.
At that time we identified them from 1 John 2:16 as things from the world.
1 John 2:16 NIV For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
These things constitute the total of human life that exists apart from, alienated from or hostile toward God.
Another spirit is “the spirit of the world”, or the “world system,” which is dominated by Satan,
1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This spirit is also called “the god of this world” or "god of this abe"
2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Also active in the world are “evil spirits,” or demonic powers, who are representatives of Satan sent out on specific missions.
Ephesians 6:12 KJV For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The angel Gabriel mentioned a couple of them to Daniel.
Daniel 10:12-13 NIV Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
Daniel 10:20-21 NIV So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
B. What should we do about these spirits?
John said that we are to “test the spirits.”
1 John 4:1 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
That phrase literally means “to put to the test.”
Verse 3 is the test:
1 John 4:3 NIV but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
Anyone who does not believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh is anti-Christ and anti-God.
We talked about this before too as an anti-Christ spirit—in other words, demonic forces opposed to the truth.
Examples include false teachers, they have the spirit of the Antichrist
1 Timothy 4:1 NIV The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
If they can’t respond like Peter did when Jesus asked the disciples who they said that He was;
Matthew 16:15-17 NIV “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
If they can’t answer like that they have failed the test.
II. Ok so first we have to identify the enemy, then we must realize our own identity (1 John 4:2, 4).
1 John 4:2 NIV This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
A. Here is the positive side of the test we just talked about.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
When we make the declaration that “Jesus is Lord” we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, born again and become new creatures.
Let's review a couple of things here
John 3:5-8 NIV Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
B. Verse 4 is a beautiful reiteration of verse 2.
Verse 2 says
1 John 4:2 NIV This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
In verse 4 John said that the Holy Spirit’s presence in a believer’s life is superior to and more powerful than any other spirit in the universe.
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.
So we can say the same thing that Paul said in
Philippians 4:12-13 AMP I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
1 John 4:1-3 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
A. Note that John said we are not to “believe every spirit,” but we are to “test the spirits” (NIV).
Now we know, because I have talked about them, that many false spirits exist in the world, and we need to be aware of them.
One is the “human spirit,” which is subject to satanic influence until it comes under the control of Jesus Christ.
We talked about this spirit a few weeks ago when we talked about counterfeits and the counterfeiters.
At that time we identified them from 1 John 2:16 as things from the world.
1 John 2:16 NIV For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
These things constitute the total of human life that exists apart from, alienated from or hostile toward God.
Another spirit is “the spirit of the world”, or the “world system,” which is dominated by Satan,
1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This spirit is also called “the god of this world” or "god of this abe"
2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Also active in the world are “evil spirits,” or demonic powers, who are representatives of Satan sent out on specific missions.
Ephesians 6:12 KJV For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The angel Gabriel mentioned a couple of them to Daniel.
Daniel 10:12-13 NIV Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
Daniel 10:20-21 NIV So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
B. What should we do about these spirits?
John said that we are to “test the spirits.”
1 John 4:1 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
That phrase literally means “to put to the test.”
Verse 3 is the test:
1 John 4:3 NIV but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
Anyone who does not believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh is anti-Christ and anti-God.
We talked about this before too as an anti-Christ spirit—in other words, demonic forces opposed to the truth.
Examples include false teachers, they have the spirit of the Antichrist
1 Timothy 4:1 NIV The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
If they can’t respond like Peter did when Jesus asked the disciples who they said that He was;
Matthew 16:15-17 NIV “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
If they can’t answer like that they have failed the test.
II. Ok so first we have to identify the enemy, then we must realize our own identity (1 John 4:2, 4).
1 John 4:2 NIV This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
A. Here is the positive side of the test we just talked about.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
When we make the declaration that “Jesus is Lord” we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, born again and become new creatures.
Let's review a couple of things here
John 3:5-8 NIV Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
B. Verse 4 is a beautiful reiteration of verse 2.
Verse 2 says
1 John 4:2 NIV This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
In verse 4 John said that the Holy Spirit’s presence in a believer’s life is superior to and more powerful than any other spirit in the universe.
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.
So we can say the same thing that Paul said in
Philippians 4:12-13 AMP I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
III. Then number 3 John said that we must emphasize the truth (1 John 4:5–6).
1 John 4:5-6 NIV They (the impostors) are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
A. John presented a stark contrast in these verses.
On one side are those of the world system, whose thoughts and actions are dominated by Satan. On the other side are those of us who belong to God and who are indwelt by his Spirit. God gives us spiritual understanding so we can “recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood”
Those of the world speak false things about the Lord. Satan works in them to oppose the truth about Christ. They are from the world. Therefore, they speak from the world. Their ideas come from the world and from Satan. So those of the world will listen to them. They teach what is false and they lead people away from the truth.
In contrast to the false teachers, we belong to God. The ‘We’ includes all those people who speak the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ.
The true Spirit is God’s Holy Spirit. He lives in God’s people.
1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
B. Just as there are two sides doing the talking, the impostors and us the redeemed there are also two classes of listeners that hear the truth and accept it.
1. Unbelievers who yield to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and receive the Word in all its life-changing power.
John 16:7-8 NKJV Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
The influence of the Holy Spirit in an unsaved person’s life will lead that person to the realization that they are guilty, that God is just, and that all sinners are deserving of judgment. We are talking about just that in our Bible Study.
Once a sinner has been awakened to his soul’s great need, the Spirit will point him to Christ, the one and only Savior.
2. The second group of listeners are believers who are already indwelt by the Holy Spirit. One of the Spirit’s ministries is to enlighten believers of God’s truth.
John 14:15-17 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:25-26 NIV “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
IV. So we are to identify our enemy, recognize who we are, we are to speak truth and finally, we are to publicize or preach the gospel.
I don't mean you have to be a preacher to do this
A. Here's our message!
Christianity is a way of life based on the fact that even when we did not love God, he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins.
Romans 5:7-10 NIV Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
B. This is a kind of love that we as humans cannot understand.
It is the kind of love that has to be experienced, and when we experience a life filled with this love, we experience God. God who covers our sinful past and seals our future forever.
In his letter to the Ephesians Paul prayed that they could just grasp the depth of that love and I pray the same thing for us.
Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Psalms 32:1-2 NIV Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Conclusion
In summary, John has told us that Satan is real; he is committed to keeping unbelievers lost and to harassing Christians. We must realize who we are, and realize that he who is in us is greater than any force of evil in the world.
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.
We must emphasize the truth of God, because that is the truth that sets us free.
John 8:31-32 NIV To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Finally, we must share the good news that “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ”
2 Corinthians 5:16-19 NIV So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We like Paul can say:
Romans 1:16-17 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
1 John 4:5-6 NIV They (the impostors) are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
A. John presented a stark contrast in these verses.
On one side are those of the world system, whose thoughts and actions are dominated by Satan. On the other side are those of us who belong to God and who are indwelt by his Spirit. God gives us spiritual understanding so we can “recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood”
Those of the world speak false things about the Lord. Satan works in them to oppose the truth about Christ. They are from the world. Therefore, they speak from the world. Their ideas come from the world and from Satan. So those of the world will listen to them. They teach what is false and they lead people away from the truth.
In contrast to the false teachers, we belong to God. The ‘We’ includes all those people who speak the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ.
The true Spirit is God’s Holy Spirit. He lives in God’s people.
1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
B. Just as there are two sides doing the talking, the impostors and us the redeemed there are also two classes of listeners that hear the truth and accept it.
1. Unbelievers who yield to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and receive the Word in all its life-changing power.
John 16:7-8 NKJV Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
The influence of the Holy Spirit in an unsaved person’s life will lead that person to the realization that they are guilty, that God is just, and that all sinners are deserving of judgment. We are talking about just that in our Bible Study.
Once a sinner has been awakened to his soul’s great need, the Spirit will point him to Christ, the one and only Savior.
2. The second group of listeners are believers who are already indwelt by the Holy Spirit. One of the Spirit’s ministries is to enlighten believers of God’s truth.
John 14:15-17 NIV “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:25-26 NIV “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
IV. So we are to identify our enemy, recognize who we are, we are to speak truth and finally, we are to publicize or preach the gospel.
I don't mean you have to be a preacher to do this
A. Here's our message!
Christianity is a way of life based on the fact that even when we did not love God, he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins.
Romans 5:7-10 NIV Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
B. This is a kind of love that we as humans cannot understand.
It is the kind of love that has to be experienced, and when we experience a life filled with this love, we experience God. God who covers our sinful past and seals our future forever.
In his letter to the Ephesians Paul prayed that they could just grasp the depth of that love and I pray the same thing for us.
Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Psalms 32:1-2 NIV Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Conclusion
In summary, John has told us that Satan is real; he is committed to keeping unbelievers lost and to harassing Christians. We must realize who we are, and realize that he who is in us is greater than any force of evil in the world.
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.
We must emphasize the truth of God, because that is the truth that sets us free.
John 8:31-32 NIV To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Finally, we must share the good news that “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ”
2 Corinthians 5:16-19 NIV So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We like Paul can say:
Romans 1:16-17 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
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