The victors
In the past chapters, we saw the missions of the gospel of the kingdom. You may think: ok, I will start working on these commands immediately. Perhaps fear or guilt overwhelms you because you feel you are falling short. Whatever feeling you read the assignments with, it is essential to realize that we are more than conquerors, and we need not fear the kingdom of darkness. Despite the difficulties and persecution on earth, Jesus has made us more than conquerors. Sometimes, it seems just the opposite. Especially when we look at countries where there is much persecution of Christians and Christians have to fear for their lives every day. Despite everything Paul says:
As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:36-37)
Wow! Despite it all, we are more than conquerors. No matter what happens, you may realize you are more than victorious. This is because we may stand in the victory of Jesus Christ, and since Jesus overcame the world, we have also overcome the world through our faith.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 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? (1 John 5:3-5)
Fulfilling the mission of Jesus, we may realize that we may accomplish this mission in victory. Perhaps the persecution may seem so great at times, yet we are the conquerors of the world.
Don't Fear the Enemy
Let us look one more time at Jesus' commission.
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-18)
God promises us supernatural protection from the enemy. Hence, it isn't our task to pick up poisonous snakes and drink something that will kill us. By all means, don't do that! But God promises here that the serpent, a sign of the devil, cannot bring anything harmful to believers. In the command to cast out demons, for example, we don't have to fear the demons and the devil, but we know they can do nothing. This is because God protects us supernaturally. In addition, we read that Paul was protected when a viper bit him. We can also be protected from material or earthly dangers.
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. (...) But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. (Acts 28:3-5)
We need not fear the enemy because we are more than conquerors.
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)
What a tremendous promise! Again, the Lord Jesus didn't refer literally to serpents and scorpions. So don't go to the pet store to step into a terrarium of scorpions. Jesus meant spiritual beings and demons here. In the time of Jesus, snakes and scorpions were very dangerous. If someone was on the road, he could be bitten by these animals, and some of the bites were deadly. When Jesus says that we can step on serpents and scorpions, it means that we are supernaturally protected and have been given power over these terrible creatures. We have been given the power to send the demons out of people in Jesus' name.
I often had to deal with scary creatures in my room when I was young. As a child, I didn't know how to cope with this. My mother, fortunately, knew this. I often called my mother in the middle of the night because there were scary creatures. These creatures stayed in my room, even with the light on. They also stayed in their places when my mother came into my room. Only the moment my mother started praying did they disappear in an instant. I learned through this that what Jesus says is true. We have been given power over the enemy through the blood of Jesus Christ. We don't have to be afraid or be fearful. No matter what happens, Jesus is always with us and has given us power. So often, we can be discouraged and become afraid in a given circumstance. Jesus knows this about us and says the following:
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)
Living in victory
So, we need not fear the enemy and may live a life of victory. We are more than conquerors in Christ and not losers. In the difficulties and tribulations on earth, we may invariably realize that Jesus has won the victory; in this victory, we may live.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
God gave us victory through Jesus Christ. This implies that we will not be defeated, no matter what happens. Even (spiritual) death has lost its power, and we no longer have to be afraid. For a Christian doesn't die, a Christian changes location. We may already walk in this victory today. Even though our life does not always feel like a victory, God rewards us today and will also reward us for "our" victory in the future.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)
What an incredible promise from the Lord Jesus! We may sit with Jesus on His throne if we live in victory. What undeserved grace!
How can we live a life of victory? Let's examine some Bible verses to discover how to do so in our daily lives.
The first step in leading a victorious life is, of course, faith in Jesus Christ. Because we are part of Jesus, we are already conquerors. It is essential to realize this and see ourselves as overcomers. Even though it may not feel that way, we are conquerors. This principle can cause a conflict in our thinking. It is a matter of realizing that we are more than conquerors and that this seeps into all our thoughts and souls. It is crucial to break down all false thoughts and lies and fill our minds with the truths of God.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
The false thoughts may disappear, and we may fill ourselves, for example, with the following truth:
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? (1 John 5:4-5)
We gain victory in our thoughts. If our thoughts are under the rule of Jesus, then we are absolute conquerors. We get to think about the things of God and then carry them out.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)
Remember the good and pure things of God. The letter to the Philippians explains exactly what this means.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Reflect on all the good things of God. This may include spiritual things, such as the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus and the revelations of God through the Bible, but we may also think about more 'earthly things.' It is okay to fill our minds with God's beautiful creation, the family we have received, our partner, work, relationships, and so much more, as long as they are reasonable, pure, and beautiful thoughts.
Let's look at another characteristic to live in victory. It is vital to overcome evil with good. Maybe you have an annoying colleague who constantly insults and belittles you. Or a family member keeps you small and doesn't believe in you. We can discover "enemies" in our lives who do not have our best interests at heart. How can we overcome these enemies? By doing good. Are your enemies short of food? Then, feed them. Do they need encouragement? Then give it to them. By this, we overcome our enemies and place burning coals on their heads, as they were. This involves hurting their conscience with shame and repentance for that which they do. Do not repay evil with evil, but repay evil with good. This is an essential step in living a life of victory.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)
Finally, our faith is a struggle. Some started with faith but abandoned it in the meantime. To be victorious, it is important to be persistent and persevere in God's good characteristics, such as righteousness, godliness, love, and gentleness. Faith can sometimes be a struggle, and fighting the good fight of faith is essential.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)
But how do you fight the good fight of faith? First of all, we should always focus on Jesus. Jesus is the Perfecter of faith. Therefore, it is good to keep looking forward and focus on Him. Forget what is behind you and look at what is before you. Secondly, knowledge about the Word of God is essential. In the verses before, Paul talked about teachers of error and how these teachers of error seek to make money by twisting the Word of God. It is essential to decipher if something is a doctrine of error, and important to know God’s Word and listen carefully to the Holy Spirit. As a result, we aren't bounced back and forth from one error doctrine to another but stand firmly grounded in the truth.
Summary
God has called us as victors. We serve a victorious God who wants to share this characteristic with His children. Because we are children of God and believe in Jesus Christ, we are victorious over the world. Because of this, we don't have to fear the ruler of this world, the devil. We need not fear the enemy because God has given us the power to tread on serpents and scorpions. To be a conqueror, it is essential to think like one. This is because the battle takes place in our minds, and it is necessary to make our minds captive to Jesus Christ. We do this by thinking about the good things of God and not the bad earthly stuff with all the wrong lusts. In addition, we overcome evil on earth by doing good and putting burning coals on the heads of our enemies. Finally, faith can be a struggle. We must fight the good war of faith by keeping our eyes on Jesus and knowing what the Word of God says.