Overcome the World

December 3

Joel 1:1-2:11

Psalm 136:1-12

Proverbs 28:24-26

I John 5

Overcome the World

“For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the overcoming that has overcome the world—our faith.  Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 

I John 5:4-5 LSB

When we think about overcoming something, we think about overcoming in a battle or a fight, gaining a victory.  In sports we overcome our rival by winning the game or contest.  From a military standpoint we overcome our enemy by winning the battle or war.  We may overcome addiction,  overcome a fear, or overcome in a battle with cancer.  But why do we need to overcome the world?   What is it about the world that we need to have victory over? As believers we are in a battle.  As soon as we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and strive to live lives that please Him, we get a target on our back by Satan.  The idea of overcoming the world is not talking about battling the people in this world, but rather John is referring to the Christians’ ability to resist the temptations of the world and to stand firm against Satan’s attempts to lead us astray.  Instead of succumbing to the negative influences and pressures of the world, we are able to stand firm because we have faith in Jesus and His power in our lives.  We have the benefit of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us in every situation we face.  “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13 LSB 

Unfortunately, overcoming the world is not automatic for believers and it is not easy.  Satan is a powerful enemy.  He is smarter than we are and we have no hope of defeating him on our own strength and power.  Thankfully, “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4 LSB   Satan has no power against God.  We can achieve victory over temptation and sin through our faith in Jesus.  But we have to avail ourselves of His power.  That happens by spending time with Him daily in Bible study and prayer.  The more time we spend with Him, our faith grows and we develop an armor of faith that allows us to go into the battle confidently.  Ephesians 6:10-20 describes putting on the full armor of God so that we are able to stand against the devil’s schemes.  We are able to remain firm and steadfast because we are covered with His protection.  We have to be vigilant and alert because our “adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in the faith.” I Peter 5:8-9 LSB   Our faith overcomes the power of sin in our lives and it overcomes Satan and his influence over us.  It is important to remember who our enemy is.  The people around us are in the same battle against Satan.  They need the power of Jesus to help them defeat him in their lives just like we do.  Our steadfast faithfulness can be a powerful testimony of the power of Jesus to overcome the challenges this world presents.