My dear children, you belong to God, so you have already defeated these false prophets. That’s because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Who is “the one who is in you” in our verse for today? As the context of our verse makes clear, it is the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit and He becomes an indwelling presence within us. The Holy Spirit is the “Helper” that Jesus promised to send His disciples after His death and departure to heaven (John 16:7). As a result, Christians have a supernatural source of strength and help that comes from heaven above.

Who is “the one who is in the world?” It is Satan, also referred to in the Bible as the “ruler” of this world (John 12:31). He is the spirit of the antichrist and every false prophet who spreads lies about Jesus Christ and the way of salvation. Indeed, the Apostle John refers to him as the “father of lies” (John 8:44), and he refers to those he inspires as the “devil’s children,” (1 John 3:10).

Although Satan and his demonic henchmen are a powerful supernatural force, the Holy Spirit that is in us is greater. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, one with God the Father and with Jesus the Son. Satan’s power, in contrast, is that of a mere creature. Powerful though it may be, it is no match for the divine power of the Spirit.

What is the practical significance of being indwelt by the one who is greater than the one who is in the world? It means many things, but first and foremost it means that we have defeated Satan’s false prophets. It means that we cannot be deceived by them (1 John 2:26-27). They come with the lies taught to them by their father, but the greater one within us always helps us to see them for what they are.

Today, consider the value of this. When it comes to the most important thing you could ever know, Jesus and the way of salvation, the greater one keeps you from being deceived.

By John Huisman, friend of Bible League International