Overcome

With the invasion of an enemy, his purpose isn’t to just cause some damage here and there. What he’s really after is surrender, for the people of the land to determine that serving him is better than enduring his attacks. If he can just make it about the individual scuffles there will be a willingness to give in to the greater prize and hand over complete control. However, where there is an identity of nationality that rises above the ability to threaten it with some tribulation, not only will there be no surrender, but forces will assemble to dominate and overcome any of the incoming terror attempts.

We have an enemy that wants to attack by stealing, killing and destroying with the ultimate purpose of taking over completely as slave master. In Christ, not only do we have an identity that, if maintained by the Word, will disallow any consideration of surrender, but we also have the power and authority to dominate and overcome every weapon the enemy can form against us. As children of the Almighty God, we are positioned far above any force on earth with weapons that aren’t just worldly but mighty, through God, to take down any incoming threat.

Notes

To be in Christ is to take part in a winning tradition.

John 16:33 (MKJV) 33 I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

What Jesus acquired for us requires our taking hold of.

Philippians 3:12 (MKJV) 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

To know who you are and your place as a child of God is world overcoming faith.

1 John 5:4 (Weymouth) 4 For every child of God overcomes the world; and the victorious principle which has overcome the world is our faith.

The claim of any worldly entity as our Lord was completely removed by the triumph of the Cross.

Colossians 2:13-15 (Weymouth) 13 And to you–dead as you once were in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your natural state–He has nevertheless given Life with Himself, having forgiven us all our transgressions. 14 The bond, with its requirements, which was in force against us and was hostile to us, He cancelled, and cleared it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross. 15 And the hostile princes and rulers He shook off from Himself, and boldly displayed them as His conquests, when by the Cross He triumphed over them.

Before we ever accepted Him, He took hold of our victory over death and prepared a seat with Him in heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (Weymouth) 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the intense love which He bestowed on us, 5 caused us, dead though we were through our offences, to live with Christ–it is by grace that you have been saved– 6 raised us with Him from the dead, and enthroned us with Him in the heavenly realms as being in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that, by His goodness to us in Christ Jesus, He might display in the Ages to come the transcendent riches of His grace.

What is it about that seat? Far above any power on earth – puts us in authority with Christ.

Ephesians 1:17-23 (NIV) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

As a child of God, your enemy is seeking to consume by removing the power of your identity – his only real threat.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (MKJV) 8 Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour; 9 whom firmly resist in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions in the world are being completed in your brotherhood.

With trials comes the challenge of giving in to the true purpose of those trials – to let circumstances take the place of God’s Word as the authority.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (AMPC) 3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

The very power of salvation is only waiting for release from a believing heart through a confessing mouth.

Romans 10:8 (NKJV) 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):

Every mountain’s ocean experience is awaiting a believing heart’s directive.

Mark 11:22-24 (NLT) 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Do not have to concede to anything when full of faith in the power already received in Christ.

Luke 10:19 (NLT) 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.

Where your mind is has everything to do with your experience of victory.

Colossians 3:1-3 (MKJV) 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Be mindful of things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.

Overcoming – already secured by the One inside.

1 John 4:4 (MKJV) 4 You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Confess

Jesus is my Lord.
I am His child and have His very nature.
I am seated with Him far above all earthly authority.
Because He is in me, I’ve already overcome.
I have power to resist every force of darkness.