Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – The Holy Spirit – 1 John 4:4-6 – How We Recognize The Spirit Of Truth – Growing As Disciples
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. 1 John 4:4-6 (NIV)
Overcoming The World
How is that I will come to know you? How is it that I will come to live in an intimate relationship with you? How will I know your voice? How will I be guarded and guided by you? How will I be able to distinguish between what is true and false in the world? I know that the world and all that is in it is waging war against my soul. Day by day, my life is being bombarded by the thoughts and opinions and values of the world. My life is under the constant assault of passions and evil desires that come from the world. How will I be able to stand against them and even overcome them? You say that I will know the truth. You say that I will be able to identify and distinguish between what is true and what is false. You say that I will be able to overcome the world. How will all these things be possible? You have asked many good questions. Let’s talk about them. I’d like that.
You have repented and turned away from your sin. You have given your life to me. You have said that you will follow me as your Savior and Lord. Yes, all of this is true. I have forgiven all your sins. I have cleansed all of your unrighteousness. My Holy Spirit now lives and dwells inside of you. I have given you a completely new life to live. Do you believe all of this to be true? Yes, without a doubt. That’s good, because it is true. You are continually putting off your old life. You have left your old patterns and practices. You are allowing my word to dwell in you richly. My word is changing your heart. My word is transforming your mind. My word is guarding and guiding your life. My Spirit that is in you is taking my Word and using it to fight in you, with you, for you and through you. The power of my Spirit and my word is helping you to continually put on the new life that I have given you to live. You are thinking my thoughts. You are speaking my words. You are doing my deeds. Is all of this true? Yes, it is. Am I doing all of these things perfectly? No, I am not. But, I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Yes, you do. I am seeking you with all that is within me. Yes, you are. When you do make mistakes, take missteps and sin against me, you are confessing and receiving forgiveness and cleansing of all your sins. Every day, you are coming to know me better and follow me more closely. Yes, I am. Every day, I am making you able to overcome the evil in the world. Every day, I am helping you to see what is true and false in the world. Yes, you are. Do you have any remaining questions? No, I do not. I am so very thankful that you are working in me, for me, with me and through me. You are making me able to overcome the world. I will live my new life with and for you That is very good.
Holy Spirit, use your word to guide me in the truth. Help me to distinguish between what is true and false. Thank you that you live inside of me. You make me able to overcome all the evil in this world. I will listen carefully to you as guard and guide me in life. Amen
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