---

I. THERE ARE TWO MIGHTY SPIRITS AT WORK AMONGST MANKIND. There is some correspondence between their operation.

1. Both act uncoercively. There is no invasion of the principles of responsibility in either case.

2. Both act universally. The one is the prince of the power of the air; the other is in all our hearts.

3. Both act perseveringly.

4. Both act productively. Both "produce fruits in their subjects" (Galatians 5:19-23).

5. Both act resistibly. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." "Ye do always resist the Spirit of God."

II. THAT WHILST THESE SPIRITS ARE BOTH UNIVERSAL IN THEIR INFLUENCE, THE SPECIAL SPHERE OF THE ONE IS THE "WORLD," AND THE OTHER, THE "CHURCH."

1. The Church cherishes the Spirit, and resists the devil.

2. The world cherishes the devil, and resists the Spirit.

III. THAT THE SPIRIT WHOSE SPECIAL SPHERE IS THE CHURCH IS INFINITELY GREATER THAN THE SPIRIT WHOSE SPECIAL SPHERE IS THE WORLD. "Greater is He that is in you," etc.

1. The one that is in the Church is absolutely independent; the one that works in the world is not so. The Holy Spirit can do whatsoever He please; Satan cannot move without His permission.

2. The one that is in the Church sways His influence by absolute right, the other by usurpation.

3. The one that is in the Church works to save, the other to destroy.

4. The one that is in the Church acts through truth, the other through error. The first stone of Satan's empire — the foundation stone — was a lie.But the Spirit works by truth — regenerates, sanctifies, comforts, by truth. Which is the greater, truth or error? Truth is eternal, error is not; truth is a necessity, error is a contingency; truth is mighty, error is weak. A lie has no power, only as it wears the garb of truth. Conclusion:

1. The human soul is an object of stupendous interest. These two spirits are working for it.

2. The philosophy of human commotions is explained. Two opposite spirits are working in the heart of the world.

3. The ultimate triumph of goodness is certain. "Greater."

(Homilist.)

---

---

KJV: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

WEB: You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.