What Does The Bible Say About Overcoming?

What Does The Bible Say About Overcoming? On the Cross at Calvary, Jesus overcame Satan together with all evil principalities and authorities on earth and in the heavenly places. The Resurrection of Christ was one that brought Him all power and authority in Heaven and on Earth (Matthew 28:18). In Him, we can freely and openly sing victorious songs because he has made us overcomers. It is in this light that we hereby write to present what the Bible says about being an overcomer. Behold, the Bible has a lot to say about being an overcomer in Jesus Christ. The word overcomer is prominently felt in the Book of Revelation, where Jesus encourages his followers to be steadfast through trials because He has already conquered the devil, sin, and death (Revelation 2:26; 3:21; 21:7).

1 John 5:4-5 clearly says that “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” In simple terms, Overcomers are followers of Christ who successfully resist the power and temptations of the world’s system that have been put in place by the prince of darkness. Although an overcomer cannot be portrayed as one who is sinless, he/she is one who holds firm and fast to faith in Christ despite the challenges that come their way til the end. A genuine overcomer does not turn away from the faith in the face of challenges or hard-times neither does he/she become an apostate. It is important to understand here that overcoming requires a complete dependence on God for direction and strength.

What Does The Bible Say About Overcoming?

What the Scripture says about Overcoming

According to the Scriptures, overcoming necessitates that we completely yield and submit to God for direction and strength to shout songs of victory over the prince of darkness (Proverbs 3:5–6; 2 Corinthians 12:9). The Greek word that is often translated as “Overcomer” stems from the word “nike” which means “to carry off the victory” according to Strong’s concordance. The verb in itself implies a battle. The Scriptures call on all Christians to regard the world as a battleground. Hence, important to note that we are not living on a playground. We dwell in a battleground where God does not leave us defenseless. Ephesians 6:11–17 clearly describes the armor of God that is available for use by all followers of Christ in overcoming the prince of darkness and his agents.

The Scriptures teach us to stand firm in Christ. Behold, sometimes, all it takes to overcome the devil and his temptations is simply to stand firm and refuse to be dragged into it. The Bible tells us that we should resist the devil and he will flee away from us. Let’s support this by reading from James 4:7 – “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” An overcomer is the one who resist sin and stand firm in Christ no matter the lures used by the devil. Romans 8:35–39 is an eloquent write-up by Apostle Paul on the subject matter of overcoming. Here, Apostle Paul summarizes the power that believers have through the Holy Spirit to overcome all attacks from the devil and come out victorious from all kinds of temptations. Romans 8:37 says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Facts about overcoming through Christ

It is important for us as followers of Christ to link overcoming to enduring. In the face of challenges and even life-threatening situations, we should always remember that Jesus encouraged us to “endure to the end” (Matthew 24:13). A genuine follower of Jesus Christ is one who is able to endure challenges, persecutions, and hardship for the sake of His master through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s support our write-up by reading from Hebrews 3:14 – “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.” Jesus said that holding fast to Him would not be an easy task but something worth doing. Mark 13:13 says, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” However, Jesus is our strength to succeed this Christian race.

The Revelation of John which came from Christ is full of promises for those who will successfully endure till the end. In simple terms, Jesus promised great rewards for those who overcome. Revelation 2:7 comes with the promise that overcomers will eat from the Tree of Life. Revelation 2:11 points to the promise that overcomers will not be harmed by the second death. In addition, Revelation 2:17 says that each overcomer will eat from hidden manna, and be given a new name. Revelation 2:26 says that overcomers will have authority over the nations. Revelation 3:5 says that overcomers will be clothed in white garments. They will be made a permanent pillar in the house of God (Revelation 3:12), and sit with Jesus Christ on His Holy Throne (Revelation 3:21).

What Does The Bible Say About Overcoming

John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Romans 8:37 – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.“

1 John 5:4 – “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Luke 1:37 – “For no word from God will ever fail.”

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 John 4:4 – “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

1 Timothy 6:12 – “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Psalm 3:3 – “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”

Group 1

Revelation 3:21 – “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

1 John 5:5 – “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 John 4:4 – “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Revelation 3:5 – “The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.”

ALSO READ What Does The Bible Say About The Spiritual Gift Of Leadership?

Group 2

Revelation 12:11 – “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

1 John 5:4-5 – “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

1 John 5:5 – “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Revelation 3:21 – “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

1 John 5:4 – “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

1 John 3:9 – “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.“

Romans 8:37 – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Group 3

Revelation 2:26 – “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,”

Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

1 John 2:13 – “I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Psalm 27:1 – “Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Group 4

1 John 4:1-21 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. …”

Psalm 27:1-14 – “Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. …”

Group 5

Revelation 3:5 – “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

1 John 5:1 – “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.”

Revelation 3:12 – “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”

Revelation 2:17 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’”

1 Timothy 6:12 – “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Revelation 2:7 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

Group 6

Revelation 21:7 – “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

John 16:32 – “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.”

Proverbs 16:9 – “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Revelation 2:11 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’”

Isaiah 41:13 – “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.””

John 12:31 – “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

1 John 5:18 – “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”

ALSO READ What Does The Bible Say About Acceptance?

Group 7

John 3:3 – Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Ephesians 6:12 – “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Luke 1:37 – “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.“

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Psalm 3:3 – “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”

1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Group 8

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Romans 5:1-2 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

2 Timothy 2:23-24 – “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,”

Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Group 9

Matthew 10:28 – “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

1 John 2:29 – “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.”

James 1:19-21 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

Proverbs 17:27 – “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”

James 1:2-4 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Ecclesiastes 7:9 – “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Group 10

Luke 18:1 – “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

2 Timothy 3:12 – “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”

Acts 17:10-11 – “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.“

Mark 7:26 – “Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.”

Mark 7:28 – But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

1 John 5:19 – “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”

Galatians 1:4 – “Who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”

Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Matthew 15:23 – “But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.””

1 John 2:15 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Group 11

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

John 17:1-26 – “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. …”

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

John 16:1-33 – “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ …””

ALSO READ What Does The Bible Say About Accepting Others

Group 12

2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

John 15:1-27 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. …”

Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 – “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

John 17:1 – “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,””

1 John 5:7 – “For there are three that testify:”

James 1:20 – “For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Group 13

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

1 John 5:1-21 – “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? …”

Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

1 John 2:11 – “But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

1 John 5:14 – “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Group 14

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Luke 22:40 – “And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”“

John 16:11 – “Concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …”

Group 15

Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

1 John 5:16 – “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.”

1 John 5:12 – “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Psalm 35:1-28 – “Of David. Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me, Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away! …”