1 John 5:18-20, “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
In the battles of life, it is essential to stand firm and know who you are in Christ and who your enemies are. As a Christian, you know doubt will be in the minority, but you are on the winning side in the end because, as John states in 1 John 2:27a, “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you.” Then he says, “But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in him.” NIV. You have the Holy Spirit within you to keep you from going astray. The Holy Spirit gives you discernment and will remind you of the truth you need to be reminded of, from God’s Word, in all that God has taught you. I need to stop and pause more often throughout my day and ask, “God, what do you want me to do in this situation?” because He is right there with me. As Proverbs 3:4-5 tells us not to lean on our own understanding. To ask Him and He will direct me in the right decision of action.
John says, “We know” twice in these two verses in 1 John 5. “In other words, he is saying “we know this beyond a shadow of a doubt! . . .And the first thing we know is that no one who is born of God lives in sin (as their habitual, unremitting practice.)” David Smith. That is pretty black and white.
You are being protected today by the great I AM. John states God protects you, “and the evil one does not touch him.” “What Greek scholars say about this word touch: The word is “stronger than toucheth; rather graspeth, layeth hold of” Smith, in Expositor’s. “It means to lay hold of or to grasp rather than a mere superficial touch.” Robertson. “Because the believer belongs to God, Satan must operate within God’s sovereignty and cannot function beyond what God allows.” John MacArthur. Think about that for a few minutes next time you are discouraged. What a contrast you possess. As a child of God, you have the unfair advantage. As you engage your spiritual armor, you prepare for the upcoming battle(s) that may occur. The Holy Spirit is guarding you, protecting you, even interceding for you, so you will be free to be who and what you are in Jesus.
So, when God looks at you now, He doesn’t see your imperfections. Satan keeps us looking at others and our mistakes, as he is an accuser. Instead, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and our righteousness in Christ.
Someday, and that day is coming sooner than yesterday, Jesus will come back to make things right when He rules, reigns, and judges the world. It is pointless to pin our hope on anyone or anything else to straighten out injustices and wickedness that we see all around us. We know that we are held firm by God. That is what we do know, and it is a fact. Start your day with God and end your day with Him. Continue to walk by faith and not by sight. Stay faithful, seek Him with all your heart, soul, and mind (Jeremiah 29:13), rest in the promises of God, and make them the truth you walk in today. You have the ultimate protection security system, and it is supernatural!
Listen to Casting Crowns – Nobody (Music Video) with Matthew West.