
1 John 2:14
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
Satan has many notches on his belt of believers that he has defeated. It is not because God hasn’t given the believer the wherewithal to overcome Satan and his attacks that the believer cannot overcome, but it is because the believer refuses to do what God has given them to overcome these attacks. Just because you have lost one battle does not mean you have to live a defeated life. Romans 8:37 promises, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. We can win IF we do what God prescribes for us to win. God gives six things a believer must do to overcome the wicked one.
First, you must believe you can overcome the wicked one. The Scriptures say ye have overcome the wicked one. You have to believe you have the power within you to overcome the wicked one. Just because you lost one battle with Satan doesn’t mean you have to lose the rest.
Second, you must get an overcoming attitude instead of a defeated attitude. If you don't believe that you can overcome Satan and your sin, you most certainly will not overcome it. If you have a defeatist spirit, you will never overcome what sin has done to you. Everyone is not against you, but you will believe they are if you don't have an overcoming attitude. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. An overcoming attitude will believe there is nothing we can't overcome with Christ’s power.
Third, you must have the determination to win the next battle. An overcoming attitude says that it will not let the last battle determine the outcome of the next one. You will never overcome sin and Satan if you are not determined to do whatever it takes to overcome them. An old-fashioned dose of spiritual determination is needed to overcome the wicked one.
Fourth, you must let God’s Word abide in you. God’s Word is the key to overcoming the wicked one. You will never overcome Satan in your own power. God says He wrote the Scriptures so you can overcome the wicked one, but the Scriptures must abide in you if you are to see the power of God’s Word to overcome. The Scriptures abiding in someone means they are reading and memorizing God’s Word. Psalm 119:11 teaches, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Jesus hid the Scriptures in His heart by memorizing them, and they are what He used to overcome Satan’s temptations in His life. You will continue to be overcome by sin if you do not read and memorize the Scriptures. The Scriptures are your sword to defeat Satan, but you cannot use the sword of the Scriptures if you don't have it with you in your heart.
Fifth, you must get up and fight. Nobody has defeated Satan by lying in defeat. The fact that you will overcome means you got up from defeat to fight again. Every day you lay in defeat is a day you will not enjoy the thrill of overcoming the wicked one.
Sixth, be strong and do something for God. You never overcome by doing nothing, but you overcome by serving God. Serving God is an offensive position that is the only way you will overcome the wicked one to enjoy victory.
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