The Scriptures instruct and provide examples of being overcomers. Daniel slept peacefully through the night in a den of ravenously hungry lions and awoke the next morning to return home to his daily activities and his free worship of God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than usual; in fact, it was so hot that the guards perished as they increased the heat. Noah built an ark and saved both mankind and animals. Moses parted the Red Sea and set millions of Jews free from the slavery of Egypt. David, as a young boy, killed the giant Goliath with a stone. These examples of victories are recorded for us to understand that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26, KJV), and we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5, KJV).
We are to be prepared for battles by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17, KJV), so we are ready to thwart the attacks of the devil. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all (Psalm 34:19, NIV).
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) warns us, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." We cannot be lazy in being overcomers. We can be simple Christians, accepting Christ as our Savior and declaring aloud that Jesus is Lord, and we have access to Heaven when we die. But there is more to gain eternally if we work diligently to be overcomers and win over every scheme the devil throws at us.
The Apostle John writes, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4, NIV). Jesus Himself encourages us, saying, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV). These passages remind us that through faith in Christ, we are empowered to overcome the challenges and temptations of this world.
Therefore, let us strive to be overcomers, fully relying on God's strength and guidance, so that we may share in the eternal rewards He has promised to those who persevere.
