“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4).
Nine times in his first epistle John uses the term “little children.” It is the diminutive form of the word teknon and has been translated by some as “darlings.” It is not so much an assessment of our IMMATURITY but of our INTIMACY with our Father.
Recently I read a book on the 1859 revival in Ireland that tells of a young girl heard to pray, “Lord, keep me from the devil. But if he does come, don’t let him come as an angel of light. Please, Lord, keep the devil just like the devil, so when I see him I’ll know him, and run away.”
What truths are found in this verse! “You are of God”: you are not simply trying to imitate Him, but are indwelt by Him. It is His life in you! And you are overcomers—not by your infant strength, but “by the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 12:11). And see Who indwells you; the devil may threaten us, but he is no match for God’s Spirit!