Praise the Lord everyone! What is on my heart this month? Since we
started our new series studying the Book of Revelation in our Adult
Bible Study Class, (Weds. Night’s at 7pm) a theme began to take
shape...being an Overcomer! Question: “What does it mean to be an
overcomer?” As I began to press into this question….7 ways began to
unveil themselves. Today we move onto part 2.
4. Act on the Truth of the Word!
It’s not enough to mentally agree with what the Bible says. Plenty of
people say that they believe what the Bible says, but when you look
at their life you can clearly see what they actually believe. You have to
let the truth of the Word of God take root in your heart to the point
where it influences your actions. Then, when you really believe some-
thing, you will act in accordance with it and see God’s will come to
pass in your life.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man
observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes
away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who
looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a for-
getful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he
does. James 1:22-25 NKJV
Jesus told a story about two houses, or two people’s lives, that were
built on two different foundations. One built on sand and another on
rock. When the storms of life came, only the one who was built on the
rock stood. Jesus compares this house built on the rock to the person
who hears His sayings and does them. The person who built on sand
also heard His sayings, but did not do them. This was the difference in
the house standing or falling- whether or not they were doers of Jesus’
sayings.
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will
liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: Matthew 7:24
NKJV
5. Use Your Authority!
Not using our authority as Christians is probably the
number one reason Christians aren’t overcoming in
life. If we allow the circumstances of life to have
their way, we will be overcome by the evil of this
world. The old saying “whatever will be will be”
should NOT be the anthem of a spirit-filled believer.
We are supposed to be taking dominion of the earth
(Genesis 1:26), not just allowing anything to happen
as it may. God wants us to bring His will to earth,
just like it is in Heaven.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it
is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 NKJV
Jesus has given us the very authority of God to use
on this earth. Don’t just accept everything that hap-
pens in life. Use your authority to overcome evil.
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on ser-
pents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19 NKJV
6. Stand in Faith!
Faith is a spiritual force given to us by God, and it is
supernatural. By faith God created everything in ex-
istence (Hebrews 11:3). This same faith has been
given to you. Faith is the victory that has overcome
the world!
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world—
our faith. 1 John 5:4 NKJV
The very faith of Jesus has been given to you in order
to be an overcomer in this world. Without faith,
overcoming would be impossible.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not
I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live
in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who
loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
NKJV
To be an overcomer, it requires standing on what
God says no matter what. This is the premise of
walking by faith. Faith does not back down, and
when partnered with patience, doesn’t give up until
it sees what God says become a physical reality.
7. Forgive Everyone!
When you’re offended, you’re trapped and can be
controlled by the enemy. We must let go of all of-
fense and forgive everyone who has wronged us. Un-
forgiveness is a strategy of the enemy to stop you
from being an overcomer. You can’t overcome if you
are bound by resentment.
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if
indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that
one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Sa-
tan should take advantage of us; for we are not igno-
rant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 NKJV
This verse is saying that if you hold on to un-
forgiveness, Satan can take advantage of you. If you
are someone who is easily offended, you will be very
easy prey for the enemy, and fall right into his trap.
This is why we are constantly exhorted to walk in
love. It is a protection against the enemy’s plans.
And whenever you stand praying, if you have any-
thing against anyone, forgive him… Mark 11:25 NKJV
Forgiving others is so important that when explain-
ing to His disciples how to move mountains and be
an overcomer, Jesus did not leave out the need to
forgive all who had wronged them, all the time. This
indicates that unforgiveness could hinder their abil-
ity to operate in faith effectively, and be an over-
comer! Jesus loves you an so do I!
~ Pastor Doug