“He who is in you”
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Refined July 21, 2025
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
1 John 3:1 ESV
We often talk about what it means to be set apart as Christians, but this verse, and some things God’s been stirring in my heart, offered a new perspective:
A lot of non-Christians (and even Christians who do not yet fully grasp the heart posture behind being set apart) interpret that phrase as a kind of superiority complex:
“Oh, so you’re little miss perfect now, aren’t you? Not doing this or that anymore?”
There’s often offense or even silent conviction in the air, because our lives no longer match the ways of the world.
But here’s the truth: both sides can miss the point.
Being set apart doesn’t mean self-righteousness, it means God-righteousness.
The difference? The Holy Spirit. That is what sets us apart, not because we are better, but because He is better and He is in us.
The Holy Spirit within us as Christians is what sets us apart for the better of Gods will for us. Greater. Our flesh is the same, our human nature. The nature of sinful ways. Our flesh is the same, but God loves us so much that we have been redeemed. We gain combative consciousness’. We gain the powers of discernment and conviction. The battle becomes flesh versus Spirit. And, as we walk with Christ and fight to choose Him over our flesh, the Holy Spirit within us will trump our flesh, but it takes earthly discipline.
It’s like getting physically fit:
In the beginning of a fitness journey, we still have temptations to eat poorly and take a few too many days off as we begin, but the more we make it a discipline, the more it becomes second nature. You body begins to crave “healthy“ foods, foods that serve your body well. You begin to be excited for a good hard workout, because even if you know that it will be gritty, you know that your body will thank you afterwards. Temptations don’t necessarily go away, but the effect they have on course of actions diminish. You will more and more want to workout more than you want to lay out on the couch for days. Because your body and mind are smart enough that when you are sustaining it and taking care of it, it will go into routine with what is more sustainable. Your body starts craving true nourishment.
That is the same thing for spiritual health. Our souls are sustained in a life with Christ, so when we consistently experience that and choose the discipline of a Christ-centered life over a world-centered life, our spirits and souls recognize that this is what’s ultimately best for us, and our souls begin to crave the things of God. It’s not just “what we should do” but it becomes what we desire.
Knowledge turns to understanding, to wisdom, to action.
Desire for discipline trumps temptations and distractions.
We continue reading to 1 John 4:4,
“… he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”
not
“he who is you is greater than the world”
Again, God-righteousness over self-righteousness. “He who is in you” is referring to the Holy Spirit. Not you. The Spirit within you.
And then, that shatters the illusion that we as Christians are perfect, or that temptation disappears once Christ enters our lives. It doesn’t. I still have days where I don’t feel like it. Still have distraction. Complacency. Laziness. I get in ruts. We all do.
Let’s not pretend that it’s golden all the time. It’s gritty. But grit plus discipline plus the Holy Spirit on our side, amounts to more than we can imagine.
And honestly, good thing it’s hard! Dead men don’t struggle. Satan knows what we can be capable of with God, so he will do everything to attack it, attack us in our work. Keep pushing. Your battle is worth something far greater than you can imagine. This battle has eternal worth.
Amen to that, yeah?
A prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough that your Spirit is within me. Spirit work within me today. I put aside Bella. I lay her down. I surrender her wants, thoughts, needs, desires. Holy Spirit, enter in and overflow. Guide me today. Lead me into your truth. Not for my comfort, but for your glory. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
