YOU ARE OF GOD

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

This verse from the first letter of St. John is a reminder of who we are and whose we are. We are not defined by the opinions of others. We are not defined by our past mistakes, our weaknesses, or our challenges. We belong to the Creator of the universe. The Almighty God has placed His Spirit inside us, and the One who is in us is far greater than anything we’ll ever face in this world.

We all face battles in life. Sometimes, the world tries to come against us with its weapons—fear, doubt, temptation, and discouragement. The enemy’s primary weapon is deception. He wants to sow seeds of doubt and despair in our souls. He whispers, “You’re not strong enough. You can’t overcome this. Look at how big your problem is.”

But the Holy Scriptures remind us the Creator of heaven and earth has placed His Spirit inside of us. And His Spirit—the Holy Spirit of God—is far greater than any force of darkness, any challenge, or any lie that tries to come against you. The world may bring its best weapons, but they can never stand against the power of God within you.

One chapter later, the Apostle tells us, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). Your faith is the key to unlocking the victory. It’s not about the size of your challenge; it’s about the size of your faith. And when you put your faith in the One who is greater, the One who holds the universe in His hands, there is nothing you cannot overcome.

So, my friends, don’t let the world intimidate you. Don’t let fear paralyze you. Don’t let doubt steal your joy. Remain steadfast in your faith. The next time the enemy tries to tell you how big your problem is, you need to remind him, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” And watch as God’s power moves mightily on your behalf.

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
December 6, 2024