The Bible teaches us that Satan is the ruler of this world (1 John 5:19). He is the most subtle (Genesis 3:1). There is no truth in him (John 8:44).
How often do we follow him without even knowing it?
Impossible, really, when you consider....
"that you may know" This is a PERFECT ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE (oida is PERFECT in form, but is translated as PRESENT). Assurance of one's salvation is a key concept, and an often stated purpose of 1 John. There are two Greek synonyms (oida and ginōskō) used throughout the letter/sermon which are translated "know." It is obvious that assurance is the heritage of all believers! It is also obvious that because of the local situation then and the cultural context now that there are true believers who do not have assurance. This verse is theologically similar to the closing of the Gospel of John (cf. 1 John 20:31).
The closing context of 1 John (5:13-20) lists seven things that believers know. Their knowledge of gospel truths provides a worldview, which when combined with personal faith in Christ, is the bedrock foundation of assurance.
believers have eternal life (1 John 5:13, oida, PERFECT ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE)
God hears believers' prayers (1 John 5:14, oida, PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE)
God answers believers' prayers (1 John 5:15, oida, PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE)
believers are born of God (1 John 5:18, oida, PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE)
believers are of (out of) God (1 John 5:19, oida, PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE)
believers know the Messiah has come and given them understanding (1 John 5:20, oida, PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE)
believers know the true one - either the Father or the Son (1 John 5:20, ginōskō, PRESENT ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE)
5:4
NASB, NKJV, NRSV
"For whatever is born of God"
TEV, NJB, REB
"because every child of God"
Peshitta
"For whoever is born of God"
The Greek text puts the word
"all" (pas) first for emphasis, as in 1 John 5:1.
The NEUTER SINGULAR (pan) is used which is translated "whatever."
However, the context demands a personal connotation (i.e., the generic sense) because it is combined with the PERFECT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE of "begotten."
It is one who believes in Jesus and has been born of God who overcomes the world (cf. 1 John 4:4; 2:13,14).
"our faith"
This is the only use of the NOUN form of the term "faith" (pistis) in all the writings of John!
Possibly John was worried about an overemphasis on "correct theology" (as a system of beliefs) versus daily Christlikeness. The VERB (pisteuō) is used extensively by John. Our faith brings victory because
it is linked to Jesus' victory
it is linked to our new relationship with God
it is linked to the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit
This is from a source, if you need it, I'll gladly send you a link.