Have you ever overheard a conversation and been confused by what you heard? You know you must be missing some pieces of information, but you just can’t figure out what you heard. You were never the intended audience of the message, so the missing information makes the communication incomplete and useless.
During war to keep plans secret the military often uses code words to convey a message. They might say “cobra” and that means go blow up the building. But someone who overhears or intercepts the message will have no idea about the plan’s details. They won’t even know that “cobra” is an execution order. They might know it is something, but have no idea.
Messages using code words could be broadcast over the open airwaves without fear of exposing the plan. They would just be put into a story that the uniformed person would read or hear and think, that was a nice story. But to the one with the inside information, they would receive the message and know exactly what to do next.
Our text today doesn’t apply to everyone. It is specifically for Jesus-followers. Those on the outside, without the knowledge of Christ, won’t know what John is talking about because they have never experienced it. They don’t know what the indwelling power of God feels like. They aren’t the dear children. They haven’t been included in the group of people who are aware of the presence and power Satan. They blissfully walk through life unaware of the influences that Satan has on them and their world.
Not so, with the Jesus-follower. We are aware of the spiritual nature of the battles in this life. We pay attention, not drifting through the spiritual stream of life. We have purpose and have the ability to be in step with the Spirit, hearing His discernment in situations. He enables us to hear the false in the false teacher’s message. Because we have the Spirit, He will be guiding us into all truth.
John tells us that we have overcome Satan and His schemes. It is not that we have in ourselves strength to overcome, but that God now is with us as a loving parent would be with their child. Protection and guidance are two of the greatest roles that parents fulfill in their jobs as parents. And now we have the Holy Spirit of God who is with us and overcomes Satan in our lives. It is not our power that accomplishes this mission. It is, instead, the power and presence of the LORD that does it.
The LORD is greater than Satan, just as the watchmaker is greater than the watch. Satan is a created being. The LORD is the Creator. He brought Satan into being and is still more powerful than he is. That is why we can have confidence in battle. No matter what false teaching that might come our way, if we keep to the core of the Gospel, His power will enable us to overcome.
Remember, this is not written to non-believers. Only Jesus-followers have the assurance of overcoming power at their disposal. Non-believers have no assurance of God’s protection and care. They are not children. They don’t have the right to family protections. They are outsiders, often hostile to the message of hope found in the Gospel.
But we have the assurance of His presence and protection. Satan cannot overcome us. Our bodies may fail, but we will see Him in all His glory.
The Arnold Journey 