You’ve probably felt it before — that sense that something dark is pressing in, whispering lies, or stirring chaos around you. Maybe it comes through fear, temptation, confusion, or just that low hum of heaviness you can’t explain. Scripture doesn’t tell us to pretend those moments don’t happen. It tells us how to stand firm when they do.
1 John 5:18 says, “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot touch them.”
That last part stops me every time: “the evil one cannot touch them.”
The Greek word for touch means more than a brush or bump — it means to fasten onto, to take hold of. In other words, the enemy might throw darts, but he can’t take hold of a believer who stays rooted in Jesus.
But here’s the part we can’t miss — the next few verses tell us how to stay untouchable.
John writes, “Keep yourselves from idols.”
It’s as if he’s saying, You’re protected, but don’t give the enemy a handle to grab onto.
Every time we let something else take the place that belongs to God — fear, comfort, success, even ministry — we give the enemy influence. Not possession (he can’t own what God has sealed), but influence. And influence is enough to wear you down, confuse your mind, and choke your peace.
So how do we avoid it?
1. Stay close to the Source of Life.
Verse 20 says Jesus has given us understanding to know the true God. That means every time we choose His voice over the noise — through prayer, Scripture, or worship — we’re anchoring ourselves in truth that drives darkness away.
2. Don’t let idols creep in quietly.
Idols today rarely look like golden statues. They look like distractions, grudges, pride, or worry. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anything sitting on the throne of your heart that isn’t Jesus. Then surrender it. Freedom follows surrender.
3. Keep short accounts with sin.
John reminds us that not every sin leads to death — meaning God’s grace still covers us when we stumble. But when we hide sin or justify it, we open the door wider for the enemy’s influence. Confession closes that door fast.
4. Remember who protects you.
“He who was born of God keeps him safe.” That’s Jesus. The same One who defeated hell’s hold over your life is still guarding you today. You don’t fight for victory; you fight from it.
You are not prey for the enemy. You are property of Heaven — sealed, guarded, and claimed.
The evil one can’t touch what belongs to the Son of God.
But maybe as you’re reading this, you realize you’ve never truly belonged to Him.
Maybe you’ve believed about Jesus but never invited Him to take His rightful place as Lord of your life. The good news is that can change right now.
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and to set you free from sin’s power. He took your place on the cross, rose from the grave, and offers forgiveness, peace, and new life to anyone who calls on His name.
If your heart is stirring, that’s Him calling you home. You don’t have to fix yourself first — just surrender. Tell Him:
“Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God.
I believe You died and rose again for me.
I don’t want to live apart from You anymore.
Forgive me, fill me, and make me Yours.”
If you prayed that with sincerity, you are now “born of God,” and His protection, peace, and presence are yours.
Stay close. Stay clean. Stay surrendered.
You don’t have to fear the darkness when you walk with the Light.
Leave a comment