Becoming a Victorious Overcomer

Becoming a Victorious Overcomer

Dear Friend,

          How hard it is to not give up when one is persecuted, put in prison, suffering,

and in need.  Yet we are told, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelations 2:10).

          The pressure is on, but you can’t afford to give up.  As Satan attacks, you must be a victorious overcomer who resists Satan steadfastly, “Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything” (James 1:3-4).

          We are told to use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God and the shield of faith to quench every fiery dart of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16-17).  Remember that Satan has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  “God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross.  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:13-15).

          Never forget that, “They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelations 12:11).  We are promised that, “He (or she) who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death” (Revelations 2:11).  “So fight the good fight of faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:12).

          As I fight the good fight of faith and encounter one battle after another that is beyond my control, I find myself asking God for help, deliverance, and provision.  This asking involves calling on Him in prayer, knowing that He will hear me and deliver me.  As Romans 8:37 tells us, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

James 1:2-4, tells us how to be a victorious overcomer when we encounter troubles, when it says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and that includes you sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

It may seem very difficult in the midst of the financial needs, the trials, the tribulations, and the uncertainty of the future to be a victorious overcomer.  When it seems that our world is crumbling around us, we must remember that, “no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” I Cor.3:11.  

Our faith is tested to determine if it is based on the foundation of Jesus Christ or are we clinging to worthless idols and forfeiting the grace that is ours.  How hard it is to be a victorious overcomer in the midst of trials.  The pain is unbelievable, but here James says, “consider it pure joy.”  This perseverance that these trials produce must finish its work so we “may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  

I am learning that in the middle of trials and uncertainties, I must ask God for wisdom.   “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (or her)” (James 1:5).  He will give it if our goals are centered on Jesus and not self-centered.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps 51:17).

          This broken and contrite heart is one totally surrendered to God.  As we ask from such a broken and contrite heart, “we must believe and not doubt, because he (she) who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man and woman should not think he/she would receive anything from the Lord; they are a double-minded person, unstable in all they do” (James 1:6-8).  

          We must continue to trust God in the midst of these trials, for as James 1:12 says,

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he/she has stood the test, he/she will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”  

          James 1:13-15 shows us that we are not to blame other people or God when we go through these trials.  In the midst of the pain and uncertainty, we must remember that,

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).  

          When our world seems to have been turned upside down and circumstances lead us to believe that we have lost that which is closest to us first that God does not change, He is the source of all that is good and, “He chose to give us birth through the Word of Truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all He created”(James 1:18).

          I know when I am hurting, I don’t feel like a victorious overcomer.  In fact, my first reaction is to get angry.  Yet James tells me in verse 19 of chapter 1, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”  Then in verse 21 he says, “to humbly accept the word planted in you, which will save you.”  But we are also told in

James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.”  

          Being a victorious overcomer does not mean showing favoritism to the rich.  Instead, we are supposed to show mercy to those in need as James 2:1-7 brings out.  “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

          Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?”

 Remember, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.  What good is it if one claims to have faith but has no deeds?” (James 2:13,14)  

          It is one thing to talk about faith, it is another thing to actually live it in the midst of trials, tribulations and uncertainties.  Faith involves believing God when the circumstances dictate otherwise.  Faith involves action.  “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17).  

          Real faith involves surrendering that which is closest to us totally unto God.  This is so hard for me to do but once I surrender that closest to me to Jesus, He gives it back in such a glorious way.  

          As we surrender everything to Jesus, we discover that God lives in our visions and dreams.  This discovery enables us to move into the depths of God’s will and desires at this time and place in history.

Hanna knew what it meant to be a victorious overcomer.  For years she had prayed for a son until she felt bitter and unproductive.  Then as she entered into intercessory prayer, her dream was birthed and brought to life as a result of surrendering to God’s will.  When she promised her son to God, her dream was fulfilled and she gave birth to Samuel. 

Hanna surrendered her son as she interceded.  As a result, God healed Hanna of her past bitterness and barrenness, and she not only gave birth to Samuel but five more children. She was a victorious overcomer because she prayed and dared to believe that God is able.

Norman Grubb states in his book, Reese Howells:  Intercessor, “Every greatly used instrument of God has been, in His measure, an intercessor:  Wesley for backsliding England; Booth for the down-and-outs, Hudson Taylor for China; C T Studd for the unevangelized world.  But intercession is more than the Spirit sharing His groaning with us and living His life of sacrifice for the world through us.  It is the Spirit gaining His ends of abundant grace.”

Peter Kreeft in his book, Prayers for Beginners, writes, “We pray to obey God, not to ‘play God’.  We pray not to change God’s mind, but to change our own; not to command God, but to let God command us.  We pray to ‘let God be God’.  Prayer is our obedience to God, even when it asks God for things God commanded us to ask” (Matthew 7:7).

Before Nehemiah laid a foundation of stone in Jerusalem, he laid a foundation of prayer.  Intercessory prayer is the first step when it comes to being a victorious overcomer.  

Scripture is filled with God-fearing people who asked God to intervene through their intercessory prayers.  Intercessors prayed for the Holy Spirit’s power to come in Acts 8:15-17 and Ephesians 3:14-17.  They prayed for individuals to be healed in 1 Kings 17:20-21, Acts 28:8, James 5:14-16 and numerous other places in Scriptures.  

Intercessory prayer warriors in the Bible prayed for God to grant His forgiveness of sins in Ezra 9:5-15, Daniel 9 and Acts 7:60.  Intercessors prayed for individuals to be delivered from danger in Acts 12:5 & Romans 15:31 and for God to bless His people in Numbers 6:24-26, 1 Kings 18:41-45 and Psalms 122:6-8.  They prayed, they believed and they discovered what it meant to be more than conquerors through God who loved them.

Spirit filled and Spirit led direct action is the result of intercessory prayer.  Such prayer is not an excuse to not step out in faith and provide the compassionate action needed.  In Isaiah 58 and in James 2:14-26 we see that in addition to fasting and intercessory prayer, action in the form of directly helping those in need result in God declaring, “Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here am I’ (Isaiah 58:9).  You will be a victorious overcomer because you know God is with you.

Jesus gave us one example after another of how intercessory prayer flows from a heart of compassion and results in one becoming a victorious overcomer.  Christ’s love was reflected in His earnest prayer and direct action for the lost.  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). 

He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), and prayed for his disciples (Luke 22:32, John 17:6-26).  Jesus healed the sick and fed the hungry.  He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead.  Now Jesus intercedes in our behalf before the throne of God (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 9:24). 

Without Jesus’ constant intercession for us, we would fall away from God back into the slavery of sin and indifference and never experience what it is to be a victorious overcomer.

Intercessory prayer in behalf of others is the heart of the Scriptures.  For in James

5:13-16, it says, “Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.  Is anyone of you sick?  He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore, confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man (and woman) is powerful and effective.”  It enables him or her to be a victorious overcomer.

David Wilkerson in his article, “Binding God to His Own Word,” explains how we as believers can boldly come to God in prayer knowing from the Scriptures that He will hear us and answer us.  “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”

(James 5:16).  The word “effectual” here comes from a Greek root word that means “a fixed position”.  It suggests an unmovable, unshakable mindset.  Likewise, “fervency” speaks of a boldness built on solid evidence, absolute proof that supports your petition.  Together, these two words “effectual fervency” means coming into God’s court fully convinced that you have a well-prepared case.  It is beyond emotions, loudness, pumped up enthusiasm.”

Wilkerson goes on to say, “Such prayer can only come from a servant who searches God’s Word and is fully persuaded that the Lord is bound to honor it.  Indeed, it is important that none of us goes into God’s presence without bringing His Word with us.  The Lord wants us to bring His promises, remind Him of them, bind Him to them—and to stand on them.”

There is no limit as to what God can do through the person who has surrendered all to Him.  To allow His power to unfold in our lives, we must trust God and allow ourselves to be tested.  In conclusion, let me quote from Rees Howell’s report that he published in 1929 concerning the Bible College he had founded in Wales.

“During the last three years, it has been a rare case to have means in hand to meet our necessities for three days together.  It has been the Father’s will to teach us the way to trust Him each morning for the day’s need, to give a practical demonstration of the words: Give us this day our daily bread. 

These years have been a time of great financial embarrassment in the world; scarcity of money and financial pressure have made men’s hearts fail them, and many have not been able to stand the strain; but the Lord has been proving us day by day, that living faith is above circumstances; no delays can discourage it, not loss of friend nor depression in trade can touch it.  During this period the Lord has allowed us to be tested beyond our strength; often ‘pressed out of measure, above strength…that we should not trust in ourselves’.”

As we go through this time of testing at New Life Evangelistic Center, may each of us remain steadfast and faithful in that which our Risen Lord has given us to do.  No work of God can be established unless it goes through fire.  He now desires to teach us to trust in Him above all, as we surrender to His will in this time and place.  Then and only then can we become victorious overcomers who are effective and productive.  In spite of what may seem overwhelming odds we must remember God has called us to be victorious overcomers who are victors not victims.  For truly, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

To be a victorious overcomer means to be able to look death in the face and declare “death you have been defeated”.  It is the final chapter in a life that trusted Christ to take a person from victory to victory with the assurance of His eternal presence.  It is the victorious overcomer who is able to proclaim, “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory.  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 15:54-57).

This victory to overcomers is further explained in I Peter 1:3-5 where it says,

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days.”

Yours in Christ’s service,

Larry Rice