The Power to Overcome
Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4
From this verse, God tells us that he has given us the power to overcome the world. But what exactly does it mean we have overcome the world? And what do we have to do so we have his power to overcome the world.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20) If we are to overcome the world, we must have the Lord’s power working in us. This requires that we are closer to the Lord than we are to the world, and we are controlled by the Spirit and not directly from the world. We are eternally minded and we know this world is not our home; Heaven is our home.
I can do all things in him that strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) The Lord’s power in us will give us strength and self-control to overcome the world. Satan will attack to make us a slave to the world, but we call on the Lord for his strength to overcome. This is what it means to overcome he world — calling on the Lord when Satan attacks. Satan is very clever in getting a foothold in our life by using our own justification. He can have a foothold in our life, and we may not even be aware of it.
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6) We are close to the Lord to overcome the world, and we live as his servants. We see the Lord as our Master and we have total faith in him. To overcome the world, our faith is without doubt, and we always accept the Lord’s will. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) This verse describes the faith of a servant of Christ.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) We see God in his glory through a dim window, we long to know him more, and to be with Him and the Son forever in Heaven. This strong desire to be with the Father and the Son gives us a heart that looks toward eternity.
Today, serve the Lord, ask for his guidance by the Spirit, and reflect Jesus to everyone. Know that you are a servant, Christ is the Master, and he will enable you to overcome the world.
Prayer: Lord, help me to overcome the world today controlled by the Spirit and not by the world. I know I can do all things through Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.