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The world would like to convince us that we are too few in number to matter or make a difference, and that every belief system has a voice except Christianity.  With all of the faith-bashing going on, we can feel defeated before we even take a stand.

Your inner voice may call you names like Failure, Loser, or Weakling.  Or perhaps there are individuals in your life who say things that cause you to feel like you’re not strong enough to wear the name Christian.

Maybe you’re just fighting your own private battle and you wonder how you’ll have the stamina to hang on to your faith.

Surely Satan wants us to feel inadequate.  He is thrilled when we believe the lies of the world.  He wants us to succumb to sin, shy away from sharing the Truth, and quit when the Christian walk gets tough.  But God has something important to say to us, and I’d rather listen to the Almighty than the Adversary.  Concerning our trials, worldly persecutions, pain, or peril, God promises that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

While there are many great verses that would encourage us in this study, we’re going to focus on the idea of overcoming.

More Than Conquerors- John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Circle “tribulation” and in the margin write “oppression/ affliction.”  Underline “I have overcome the world.”  In context, Jesus is preparing His disciples for the time when He would no longer be with them on this earth.  Their ministry would be hard, and they would at times feel outnumbered or unwelcome.  Jesus wanted them to remember during those times that the victory is already His.  At the end of the verse, write Rom. 12:17-21.

Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath:  For it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will reap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Could there be a more timely verse?  This is how we are more than conquerors in an anti-Christian society.  I see at least four ways we can make a difference.  Underline “Repay no one evil for evil” and put a #1 next to it.  Underline “live peaceably with all men” and put a #2 next to it.  #3 is “do not avenge yourselves.”  And #4 is “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.”  These four things aren’t easy and may go against our nature, but this is how we “overcome evil with good.”  Draw a squiggly line under all of verse 21 and circle “overcome” (both of them).  At the end of the verse, write 1 John 2:13,14.

…I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one…I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

Circle “overcome” (both of them) and underline “you are strong” and “the word of God abides in you.”  Encourage the young men in your life with these empowering words!  At the end of the verse, write 4:1-6.

…You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world…

Circle “overcome” and underline “because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  In context, John is writing about those who teach error and reject the truth.  Be sure to study all six verses when you feel overwhelmed by all in the world who want nothing to do with God.  At the end of verse six, write 5:4,5.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

“Overcome(s)” appears three times in these two short verses.  Circle each of them.  Underline “whatever is born of God,” “our faith,” and “he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”  Draw a square around “victory.”  This word for victory is a form of the same word that means “conquer; overcome.”  If you like, take a moment to thank God for this reassuring promise!  At the end of verse five, write Rev. 2:7.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

In this series of church addresses in Rev. 2 & 3, we find commendations, admonishments, and incentives.  We also find the phrase “to him who overcomes” multiple times.  The incentives can be more encouraging for us when we take the time to read what was said about each church.  For instance, in this passage, the church at Ephesus had been commended for their hard work and their ability to distinguish between truth and error.  But they were admonished for having left their first love.  Underline “to him who overcomes” and draw a squiggly line under “tree of life” and “Paradise.”  At the end of the verse, write v. 11.

…He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

Underline “He who overcomes” and draw a squiggly line under “shall not be hurt by the second death.”  Again, notice what was said to this group of Christians.  They were suffering and facing more persecution.  No wonder the incentive to hang on is the reward of safety in eternity.  At the end of the verse, write v. 17.

…To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who received it.

Underline “to him who overcomes.”  Draw a squiggly line under “hidden manna,” “white stone,” and “new name.”  In the margin near “hidden manna,” write God’s provision.  The “white stone” is another reference to manna (see Exod. 16:31; Num. 11:7).  And for further clarification about the new name, see Rev. 3:12.  At the end of the verse, write v. 25-28.

But hold fast what you have till I come.  And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations…and I will give him the morning star.

Underline “hold fast,” “he who overcomes,” and “keeps My works until the end.”  Draw a squiggly line under “power” and “morning star.”  For information on the significance of “the morning star,” see this article from the Christian Courier.  At the end of the verse, write 3:5.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Underline “he who overcomes” and draw a squiggly line under “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life” and “I will confess his name before My Father.”  At the end of the verse, write v. 12.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God…I will write on him the name of my God…and I will write on him my new name.

Underline “he who overcomes” and draw a squiggly line under each thing God promises to do for the overcomer.  At the end of the verse, write v. 21.

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne…

Underline “to him who overcomes” and draw a squiggly line under the rest.  At the end of the verse, write 21:7.

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

Underline “he who overcomes” and draw a squiggly line under the rest of the verse.  At the end of the verse, write Rom. 8:37.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Underline “more than conquerors” and circle “through Him.”  Paul had just listed several things that can try our faith or discourage us, but through Christ we CAN overcome.

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Kathy Pollard

Kathy is married to Neal Pollard, who preaches for the Lehman Ave. church of Christ in Bowling Green, KY. They have three grown sons, all married, 2 new grandsons, and a granddaughter on the way! Kathy attended Faulkner University and Bear Valley Bible Institute and has a bachelor’s degree in Bible. She is the author of the book, Return to Me…What to Do When Loved Ones Fall Away. She and Carla Moore host a weekly podcast for Christian women called Looking Up. Kathy enjoys spending time with family, traveling to Israel, tending her gardens, and getting to know her new dairy cow, Peaches.

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