God Is Greater Than Condemnation and Counterfeits

Devotional

Day 1: God Is Greater Than Our Condemning Hearts

When your heart accuses you and shame or doubt creeps in, remember that God is greater than your heart and knows everything about you—your failures, your struggles, and your hidden sins. He is not surprised by your weakness, nor is He waiting for you to present a perfect defense. Instead, He invites you to bring your condemnation and shame directly to Him, trusting that He has already provided an Advocate in Jesus Christ who took your punishment and exchanged it for favor. When you stop reviewing your actions and start running to God, you find freedom from condemnation and the confidence to approach Him as a beloved child. [49:45]

1 John 3:19-20 (ESV)
"By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything."

Reflection: What is one specific area where your heart has been condemning you lately? Can you take a few minutes today to honestly tell God about it, trusting that He is greater than your heart and already knows it all?

Day 2: Confidence Before God Leads to Obedience

When condemnation is replaced by confidence in God’s love and forgiveness, you are set free to obey Him—not out of fear or guilt, but out of joyful assurance. This confidence unleashes a desire to keep His commandments, to believe in Jesus with true allegiance, and to abide in Him daily. Instead of being paralyzed by your failures, you are empowered to live out your faith, love others, and pursue God’s will, knowing that your standing with Him is secure because of Christ. [55:19]

1 John 3:21-24 (ESV)
"Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us."

Reflection: Where in your life have you been holding back from obeying God because of lingering shame or self-doubt? What is one step of obedience you can take today, trusting in the confidence Christ gives you?

Day 3: Test the Spirits—Discern Truth from Counterfeit

Not every voice, teaching, or idea you encounter is from God; some are counterfeits, even if they sound spiritual or popular. Scripture calls you to test the spirits, to examine both the content and character of what you hear, and to measure everything against the truth of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. Don’t believe every article, video, or influencer—look closer, ask hard questions, and anchor yourself in the local church and the Word. This discernment protects you from deception and keeps your faith rooted in Christ alone. [01:00:41]

1 John 4:1-3, 5-6 (ESV)
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already... They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

Reflection: Think of a message, teaching, or influencer you’ve recently encountered—have you tested their words and character against Scripture? What is one practical way you can be more discerning this week?

Day 4: He Who Is in You Is Greater Than the World

No matter what condemnation or confusion you face—whether from your own heart or from the world around you—remember that the Spirit of God within you is greater than any force or lie in the world. Your victory over shame, doubt, and deception does not come from your own strength or spiritual resume, but from the indwelling presence of Christ. This truth anchors you in assurance and empowers you to overcome whatever seeks to pull you away from God’s love and truth. [37:36]

1 John 4:4 (ESV)
"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

Reflection: What is one external voice or internal struggle that feels overwhelming right now? How can you remind yourself today that the One who lives in you is greater than anything you face?

Day 5: Bring Everything to God—Worship and Surrender

God invites you to bring every part of your life—your distractions, your sin, your doubts, your desires, and your worship—before Him. True spiritual formation happens not by going through religious motions, but by honestly surrendering all you are to Jesus, trusting Him to change you from the inside out. As you gather with others, pray, and worship, let your focus be on Christ alone, knowing that He is worthy and that He alone can anchor you in the midst of life’s changes and challenges. [02:04:46]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: What is one distraction, sin, or burden you need to lay before God today? Will you take a moment to surrender it in prayer, asking Him to anchor your heart in worship and trust?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered in a moment of transition—our last Sunday in this chapel before moving to the worship center. While it’s easy to get caught up in the nostalgia of a beloved space or the excitement of a new one, the real focus must always be on Jesus Christ. Buildings are just tools; what matters is a people transformed by God, worshiping together, and growing as disciples of Jesus. As we prepare to move, we’re reminded that our unity and purpose are not found in preferences or aesthetics, but in fixing our eyes on Christ, praying for our neighbors, and expecting God to move in powerful ways.

Turning to 1 John 3:19–4:6, we see a profound truth: every person is being discipled by something—whether it’s Jesus, our own hearts, or the countless voices of the world. John warns us that both internal critics (our hearts) and external confusion (false prophets and worldviews) can shape us, often leading to condemnation or confusion. Yet, the good news is that God is greater than both. When our hearts condemn us, God knows the full story—our sin, our shame, and the redemption He’s provided through Jesus. We’re not called to defend ourselves or drown out our guilt, but to run to the Judge who knows everything and has already provided an Advocate in Christ.

This assurance doesn’t come from our performance or spiritual resume, but from God’s character and the finished work of Jesus. When we bring our condemnation and shame to Him, He replaces it with confidence, freeing us to obey, abide, and believe. This confidence is not arrogance, but a humble trust that God is greater than our failures and doubts.

Externally, John urges us to test the spirits, recognizing that not every voice or teaching is from God. There are always counterfeits—ideas, philosophies, and even preachers who distort the truth. We’re called to examine both the character and content of those we listen to: do they elevate themselves, us, or Jesus? Do they confess Christ as fully God and fully man? Do their lives reflect humility and repentance, or are they platforms for self-promotion? Ultimately, everything must be measured against Scripture and the apostolic witness.

In a world of condemnation and confusion, our hope and confidence rest in this: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” We are invited to bring our shame, our doubts, and our distractions to Jesus, trusting that He alone can anchor us, forgive us, and set us free. As we take communion and worship together, let’s fix our eyes on Him, the only one worthy.

Key Takeaways

1. God is Greater Than Our Condemnation No matter how true or persistent the accusations of our hearts, God knows the full story and has already provided forgiveness through Jesus. We are not called to defend ourselves or drown out our shame, but to bring it honestly before God, trusting that He is greater and that His grace is sufficient. This is the path to true confidence and freedom. [49:45]
2. Every Heart and Mind Is Being Discipled Discipleship is not optional; everyone is shaped by something—be it Christ, culture, or our own desires. The question is not if we are being discipled, but by whom or what. Intentional discipleship to Jesus, through His Word and Spirit, is the only way to resist the subtle formation of the world and our own wayward hearts. [38:33]
3. Test the Spirits: Content and Character Matter Not every spiritual-sounding voice is from God. We must examine both the message and the messenger: does the teaching align with the historic, biblical Jesus—fully God, fully man—and does the leader’s life reflect humility, repentance, and a focus on Christ rather than self? Spiritual maturity means learning to discern, not just to believe. [62:40]
4. Confidence Before God Leads to Obedience When condemnation is replaced by confidence in God’s love and acceptance, we are set free to obey, abide, and love others. This confidence is not rooted in our performance, but in Christ’s advocacy and the Spirit’s presence. True obedience flows from assurance, not anxiety. [55:19]
5. The Local Church Is Essential for Discernment While online voices abound, real spiritual formation and discernment happen in the context of the local church, where character can be observed and lives are shared. The church is not perfect, but it is God’s design for our growth, accountability, and protection from counterfeit gospels. [65:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:02] - Introduction & Chapel Transition
[32:24] - Keeping Jesus the Main Thing
[33:44] - Fixing Our Eyes on Christ
[34:31] - Prayer and Preparing for Scripture
[36:15] - Reading 1 John 3:19–4:6
[38:01] - Everyone Is Being Discipled
[39:54] - God Is Greater Than Condemnation
[41:43] - The Heart as Prosecutor
[46:04] - The Courtroom of the Heart
[49:45] - God as Judge and Advocate
[54:57] - From Condemnation to Confidence
[56:38] - God Is Greater Than Counterfeits
[58:44] - Testing the Spirits
[62:40] - Content and Character Filters
[71:33] - Communion and Worship
[74:50] - Responding in Prayer and Song

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 John 3:19–4:6 (ESV) —
> By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 3:20, what does John say about our hearts when they condemn us? What is God’s response to our self-condemnation?
In 1 John 4:1, what does John command believers to do regarding “the spirits” and why?
What are the two main tests John gives for discerning whether a teaching or teacher is from God? (see 1 John 4:2 and 4:5-6)
In the sermon, what examples did the pastor give of things or people that can disciple us besides Jesus? [38:33]

Interpretation Questions

Why does John emphasize that “God is greater than our heart and he knows everything”? How does this truth affect the way a believer should respond to feelings of shame or condemnation? [49:45]
The sermon mentioned that everyone is being discipled by something or someone. What are some subtle ways that culture or our own desires can shape us without us realizing it? [38:33]
John instructs believers to “test the spirits.” What might this look like in practical, everyday life, especially with the abundance of online voices and teachings? [58:44]
The pastor said that confidence before God leads to obedience, not the other way around. Why is it important to get this order right? How does this change the way we approach spiritual practices? [55:19]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “We are not called to defend ourselves or drown out our shame, but to bring it honestly before God, trusting that He is greater and that His grace is sufficient.” ([49:45]) What is one area of shame or self-condemnation you tend to hide or downplay? What would it look like to bring that honestly to God this week?
The pastor shared that “every person is being discipled by something—whether it’s Jesus, our own hearts, or the countless voices of the world.” ([38:33]) Take a moment to reflect: What is currently discipling you the most? Is it Christ, culture, your own desires, or something else? How can you be more intentional about being discipled by Jesus?
John says to “test the spirits.” ([58:44]) Think about the podcasts, books, social media accounts, or preachers you listen to. How do you currently discern whether their teaching is truly centered on Jesus? What is one practical step you can take to be more discerning this week?
The sermon highlighted that “the local church is essential for discernment.” ([01:05:11]) In what ways are you connected to the local church for spiritual growth and accountability? Is there a next step you could take to deepen those relationships?
The pastor described how confidence before God leads to obedience, not the other way around. ([55:19]) When you think about your spiritual life, do you tend to obey out of confidence in God’s love or out of anxiety and fear? How could you shift your motivation this week?
The message challenged us to “fix our eyes on Christ, praying for our neighbors, and expecting God to move in powerful ways.” ([33:44]) Who is one neighbor, friend, or family member you can pray for and expect God to move in their life? How will you pray for them this week?
The pastor said, “Buildings are just tools; what matters is a people transformed by God, worshiping together, and growing as disciples of Jesus.” ([31:57]) As our church moves to a new space, what can you do to keep your focus on Jesus and not on preferences or aesthetics? How can you help others do the same?

Sermon Clips

Here's the reality this morning. You have that sin. You did commit that lust. You did click on that image. You did lash out out of your kids in anger. It wasn't the anger that Jesus Christ, when he's flipping over the tables, it wasn't righteous anger. That was one verse, people, okay? You're always like, well, Jesus flipped over tables one time when there was heresy and idolatry. Is that why you blew up at the person driving next to you on I-17? You did do those things. You did sin. That's true. [00:49:57] (34 seconds) #RunToGodNotDefense

But the reason behind those reasons is there's just a sense of condemnation when you go before God. There's just a sense of shame when you go before God. And you're looking at all your actions and stacking up your good days against your bad days and coming with your defense. And it's preventing you from coming to God, your Father, who loves you. And so John says, hey, stop looking at your case. Stop reviewing your actions. Start running to God himself. [00:52:52] (32 seconds) #GodIsGreaterThanCounterfeits

What if prayer, what if going to God's word sometimes meant bringing all the condemnation, all the shame you feel, all the guilt you feel. What if it meant bringing it all to the judge and pleading with him? Hey, God, would you take these things away? You're greater. God is greater than your heart. God is greater than the condemnation. Bring it to him. Here's what happens if you do that. If we keep reading verse 22, when your condemnation goes away, when you actually bring it to God, he exchanges that condemnation for confidence. [00:54:34] (32 seconds) #TestTheSpirits

One of the aspects of spiritual maturity is that you actually don't believe certain things. You actually don't believe every article you read. You actually don't believe every video you watch. You don't believe every single thing. Because there's a spirit. There's an angle. There's a deception behind some of those things. So what do you do instead? Do you become cynical? Do you become hard-heartened? No. You test the spirits. Verse 1. To see if they're from God. Test. You examine. You look closer. [01:00:32] (34 seconds) #StruggleToPrayBecauseOfShame

Here's how to keep it simple. Do they elevate themselves? Do they elevate you? Or do they elevate Jesus Christ? First, if somebody who, the blog you read, the pastor you love, if they only talk about themselves, if they come across like a brand, if they say things like, hey, if I'm not a part of this thing, it's all going to falter, red flag, right? If they come across and they're like, hey, it's all about you and it tickles your ears and you love hearing that and you, hey, you're just this great, beautiful snowflake. [01:05:45] (30 seconds) #ConfidenceUnleashesObedience

Everything we do goes back to the scriptures. That's how you know. And what I love is that verse we all read together out loud, 1 John 4.4. John says, little children, you are from God. You have overcome them. Why? Because we're great? No, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Here's your assurance. Here's your confidence in the midst of condemnation. Is that where you are today? Are you feeling some shame that's preventing you from praying? [01:09:52] (38 seconds) #PrayThroughCondemnation

Here's what's interesting about John. He doesn't say, hey, go back at the prosecutor. I mean, get him. He doesn't say, hey, work on your defense. Look at all your behavior. Come with a better resume. Come with a plan. Like, come with some eloquence. No, he doesn't say look at the prosecutor or the defense. He says, look at the judge. Shift your eyes to the judge. Look at verse 20. Whenever your heart condemns you, what do you do? Look at God, who is greater than your heart, and he knows everything. [02:22:20] (36 seconds)

God is greater than both. And he knows everything. So, yes, he knows about your sin, but he also knows he sent a Savior. Yes, he knows you deserve all the wrath. You deserve the loneliness. You deserve the shame. You don't deserve your spouse. You don't deserve friends. You deserve only wrath. He knows that. But he also knows, as 1 John says earlier in the text, that he is your propitiation, meaning that he absorbed all the wrath upon himself, not on you, at the cross. [02:23:20] (30 seconds)

Do you know why you struggle to pray? It's not because you don't know how. Now, could you learn how to pray? Is praying a little tricky? Okay, I'll give you that. Do you know why you struggle to come to church on Sundays? It's not because of brunch. It's not because of the football game. It's not because of your kid's playoff schedule. It's not because of the rain. Do you know why you struggle to read your Bible? It's not because it's heavier than other books. [02:24:14] (25 seconds)

Why is it so hard for you to read this book? Why is it so hard for you to come to this building? Why is it so hard for you to talk to God? You talk all the time because of condemnation, because of shame, because you don't bring all that to God. You downplay it. You drown it. You slip further into shame, and you think about, should we go to church today? Ah, it's just easier. We have something going on later today. We need to conserve our energy. [02:24:59] (35 seconds)

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