Overcoming

A believer has two ways to be an overcomer (a conqueror—spiritually victorious) as Jesus instructs everyone in His messages to the seven churches, described in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Neither way is automatic or accomplished by the believer’s strength or merit. Both ways are a part of the believer’s life as he continues in the faith. An overcomer is not someone who arrives at continuous perfection, neither does he continuously hold on to known sin. This Bible truth should bring great caution and encouragement to every believer.

1. Obedience to the instruction of God’s Word, successfully resisting the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Revelation 2:11

11 He who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He who overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death (lake of fire-hell). (Open a Bible and read further, vs. 8-11, also chapter 21:7-8.)

Ephesians 6:10-11

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil... (Open a Bible and read further, through vs. 18)

Romans 8:11-13

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also bring to life your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells within you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh (our sin nature), to live after the flesh. 13 For if you live after the flesh, you will die: but if you through the Spirit continue putting to death the works of the flesh, you shall live… (Open a Bible and read further, vs. 1-17)

Romans 8:35-37

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the daylong; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…(Open a Bible and read further, through vs. 39)

2. Disobedience to the instruction of God’s Word, but afterward changing my mind and confessing my sin, asking for forgiveness.

Revelation 3:3-5

3 Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent (change my mind). If therefore you will not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. (irreversible judgment) 4 You have a few people even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they will walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Open a Bible and read further, vs. 1-6.)

1 John 1:6-9

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 ¶ If we say that we have no sin (like vs 6, when “we are walking in darkness”), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (four conditional statements based on “if”). (Open a Bible and read further, through chapter 2:2.)