Today we are talking about how we put on the “New Man”, but really we are talking about how we overcome. There are three places where the Lord wants you and I to overcome:
- Devil
- Flesh
- The World’s System
What am I talking about? Well in this post we will see who the foe is, what they try to do and how we are supposed to overcome each one.
Overcoming the Devil
The devil is a defeated foe because of Jesus and what He did on the cross. We are not called to fight the devil – Jesus already did that and won!
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Colossians 2:15 KJV
Jesus made an open show of His triumphant victory over the devil. Jesus said He saw satan fall like lightning in Luke 10:18, but right directly after He said not to be happy or rejoice about your power over satan. Focus instead on the fact your names are written in the Book of Life!
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:18-20 KJV
Our job is to fight the fight of faith.
Our Weapon over the Devil…THE WORD
The Word of God is the weapon that prevails against the devil. Think about when Jesus was in the wilderness in Matthew 4 and 3 times satan came to try to tempt Jesus. What did He do? Every time He said, “It is written”. That is the weapon we have to use. When the enemy comes against us, it is only the Word of God spoken from our mouths in faith that will overcome the devil.
Overcoming the Flesh
James talks about what happens when we are tempted in our flesh.
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:14 KJV
Our own flesh is not renewed yet. It still has a sin nature attached to it. That means that when you begin to walk after God you still have to deal with all the old habits you had before.
Paul puts it this way…
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Romans 7:24 KJV
All things in the spirit are made new but not in the flesh.
Our Weapon over the Flesh…THE SPIRIT
What is our weapon over the flesh? The Spirit and the anointing. It’s the anointing that breaks the yokes.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 KJV
And again in Romans…
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 8:13 KJV
It is only through the spirit of God – the Holy Spirit and that anointing that breaks the yokes – that you can live as an overcomer in the flesh.
Overcoming the World’s System
It isn’t about overcoming the “world”. No one is fighting against the people in the world. The fight is against the deceitfulness of riches and lust of other things. It is getting caught up in chasing a dollar.
Some people might do this out of greed. They want more and more money to buy nicer things.
Others might simply do this out of fear. They don’t want to have to use their faith for their needs to be met. They want a job to fix their problems.
Our Weapon over the World’s System…OUR FAITH
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4 KJV
Fear and faith are opposite forces. When you are afraid of something, really you have faith that the negative opportunity will come true.
It is our faith in God’s Word that overcomes the World’s system.
Wrapping Up
Jesus spoke in 7 different places in Revelations 2-3 about the results of being an overcomer.
- Eat of the tree of life (Rev. 2:7)
- Not hurt by second death (Rev. 2:11)
- Eat of the hidden manna and a white stone (Rev. 2:17)
- Power over the nations + morning star (Rev 2:26-28)
- White raiment clothing (Rev 3:5)
- Dwell in the temple (Rev. 3:12)
- Sit in Christ’s throne (Rev. 3:21)
Being an overcome in this life, brings greater blessings to come. That’s all we are saying. It pays to follow God and fight the good fight.
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