1 John 4:1-4
[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
[4] 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.
Overcoming our adversaries and obstacles
Spiritual adversaries are always active
- Speaking through false prophets
- Walking in the spirit of the anti-Christ
We face 3 main types of enemies that the devil uses to attack:
- Spiritual adversaries
- Recurring anxieties
- The world’s temptations
These adversaries are deceptive and powerful, using things unaware to our flesh to provoke it
Ephesians 6:11-12
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] 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.
You do not overcome by fighting in fear, you overcome by a perfect love and great faith.
John 4:18
[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
- Responding to God’s love brings faith
- Fear and faith are opposites
- Knowing that we are loved makes us unafraid
How do we overcome?
John 14:16-17
[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
The one we have is greater within us then the one within us that tries to bring fear
We have the Holy Spirit which is not only our comfort and teacher but our weapon to spiritual wickedness
It will not only dispel fear but also help us to rebuke the world’s appeal and keeps us from lowering ourselves to that level
1 John 5:1-5, 13-15
[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
We can overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life by faith.
We have faith given by God to receive his love and comforter that by this love we lose our fear and gain faith to use the weapons of our warfare not against flesh and blood but to the pulling down of spiritual wickedness!