Topic: Overcoming the world
Bible Reading: Daniel 7-8; 1 John 5.
Memory Verse: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4 (KJV)
Overcome means to conquer, to vanquish, to subdue or to have victory over someone or something. The world on the other hand represents the entire system of worldly affairs and values that are in direct opposition to God. They include temptations such as hatred, bitterness, lust and pursuit of a successful life without God. And the primary cause of this opposition to godly living in the world is the devil. And Jesus has overcome the world for all believers.
Some of the things that Jesus has overcome in the world include; sin and temptation. Sorrow and death, hatred, persecution, anxieties and cares, and spiritual forces. Overcoming the world is by faith in Christ. 1 John 5:4 (KJV) says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” You should note that you can only overcome the world by being born again. That is repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour because it is faith in Him that wil make you overcome the world. And having been born again, you need to live according to the will of God by studying His word to know the ways of God. The Bible enjoins you in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV), “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” When you know His commandments, then it behoves on you to obey as evidence of your love and faith in Him. 1 John 5:3( KJV) affirms this when it says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
Overcoming the world is a continuous process of spiritual growth and absolute reliance on the power of God to live according to His will because it is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of God. That greater power of God within you is what enables you to overcome the trials, temptations and general negative influences of the world.
The Lord Jesus gave us assurance of the victory over the world by using Himself as example for us. He says in John 16:33 (KJV), “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” So, go ahead and dominate the world by winning more souls to the kingdom of God.
Prayer point: Father, please give me the grace to overcome the world till the end in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero