A world of difference

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. They are of the world. Therefore, they speak as of the world, and the world hears them

(1 John 4:4-5)

You are of God, little children…

1. This is a statement of truth and encouragement
2. John seeks to encourage his beloved audience
   1. To walk in courage
   2. To walk in confidence

And have overcome them

1. Whom do the readers of John overcome?
   1. The false prophets (1 John 4:1)
   2. The spirits that are not of God (1 John 4:1-2)
   3. People who are carried away by the spirit of AntiChrist ( 1 John 4:3)
2. How do they overcome them?
   1. They must have tested them
   2. They must also have rejected them and their doctrines
   3. They must surely have confessed that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh ( 1John 4:2-3)

Because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world

1. The Spirit of God is in believers, whereas the spirit of AntiChrist is in the world
2. How should we understand the word “greater” in this context?
3. The word “greater” may mean
   1. More powerful
   2. More awesome

They are of the world

1. They belong to the world
2. They are part of the world

They speak as of the world

1. They speak about the world
2. They speak according to the world and its system
3. They speak as they are from the world

And the world hears them

1. The world understands them and rally behind them
2. The world takes sides with them