THE CHILD THAT OVERCOMES

1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 4:4; 5:4, 5; James 1:12; Revelation 3:5

To overcome means to fight and win against someone or something. To friends of Jesus, it means to win in the battles of life. It also means to defeat the devil in all his ways to distract us from doing the will of God and getting to heaven at last. Temptations are suggestions to sin against God, they are the devil’s tricks to make us to disobey God.  Satan is the tempter. He has lost the right of living with God in heaven forever. He rebelled against God and was cast out from heaven where he lived as one of the angels. He is therefore very jealous of us because we have the hope of living forever with God in heaven. He goes about on earth to destroy as many as he can so that they will miss heaven and follow him to hell. Jesus Christ came to the world and conquered the devil. Through His death and sacrifice on the cross, He gives power to overcome Satan to all who believe in Him. No one can escape the temptation and trials of this life, but you can overcome if you believe.  We shall consider the message under three sub-topics:

1. THE TEMPTER AND HIS TRICKS: Genesis 3:1- 16; 25:29-34; 39:7-12;

Luke 22:31-32.

Satan the devil started his evil work of temptation from the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  He is the greatest enemy of the children of God. He has many agents and messengers whom he uses to bring temptation in order to discourage, weaken and pull down friends of Jesus. Jesus revealed to us that Satan is a bad person, when he said to Peter …“Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you that be may sift you as wheat.” Jesus Christ also described him as a thief who always comes to steal, kill and destroy. He aims at taking the grace of God out of the life of the believer.

In these last days, Satan uses many things to tempt and lure many boys and girls. These include: movies, cartoons, electronic games, sports, worldly music, immorality, evil association, poverty and persecution.

Jesus has prayed for you to overcome and you must overcome.

2. DETERMINATION AND FAITH OF THE OVERCOMERS: Daniel 1:8; Hebrews 11:24-27; 12:1, 2; James 1:12; 1John 5:4, 5.   

Many boys and girls in the Bible overcame temptations and trials of life by faith. They are now living with God in heaven. Faith makes us to forsake sin and helps us to hold on to the word when the pain or pressure of temptation is greatest:  (a) Joseph overcame the temptation to sin with Potiphar’s wife because of his faith in God (Genesis 39:8,9).

(b) Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He rejected the idol and corruption in Egypt and chose to remain with the people of God. (Hebrews 11:25-26).

(c) Esther; She was obedient to her uncle Mordecai and kept herself holy. She was later used by God to deliver His people. (Esther 4:16. 7:3-7). (d) Daniel and his friends overcame the wickedness and temptations in Babylon because of their faith and obedience to God. (Daniel 1:8; 3:16,17). (e) Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ, overcame immorality and uncleanness in her days and remained a virgin. She later became the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:23).

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(f) Timothy turned away from sin and accepted Jesus as his Saviour when he was a child and grew to be a great pastor who preached the love of Jesus to others (2 Timothy 1:5; 4:2). To overcome every temptation and get to heaven to receive the final reward, you must be a friend of Jesus and continue to live daily in obedience to the word of God. You must also: (i) Read, listen to and think on God’s word every day. (ii) Pray always and have faith in God. (iii) Live daily by God’s word and trust Him. (iv) Keep away from evil friends and the ways of this world (I Corinthians 15:33). (v) Follow peace, speak the truth and be holy at all times. (vi) Daily expect the coming of Jesus and tell others about the good news of His love and salvation.

3. BLESSINGS FOR THE OVERCOMERS: Psalm119:1-3; 1Corithians 2:9;

Revelation 3:5; 21:7.

There are lots of blessings both on earth and in heaven for friends of Jesus who will overcome every temptation and endure till the end. They shall enjoy God’s abundance of peace, purity, Holy Ghost power, protection, preservation and prosperity (Psalm 84:11-12). Also when we get to heaven at last, God will give them (i) a new name (Revelation 2:17), (ii) authority and power over nations (Revelation2:26), (iii) robes of righteousness (Revelation 3:5); (iv) Crowns with many stars (2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12), (v) and they shall live in beautiful mansions in heaven and reign forever with Jesus

 (John 14:1-3; Revelation 3:21). ^“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son”. (Revelation 21:7). Rise and pray to be the one that overcomes.