Becoming a Victorious Overcomer Dear Friend, How hard it is to not give up when one is persecuted, put in prison, suffering and in need. Yet we are told, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelations 2:10). The pressure is on, but you can’t afford to give up. As Satan attacks, you must be a victorious overcomer who resists Satan steadfastly, “Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything” (James 1:3-4). We are told to use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God and the shield of faith to quench every fiery dart of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16-17). Remember that Satan has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:13-15). Never forget that, “They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelations 12:11). We are promised that, “He (or she) who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death” (Revelations 2:11). “So fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:12). As I fight the good fight of faith and encounter one battle after another that is beyond my control, I find myself asking God for help, deliverance and provision. This asking involves calling on Him in prayer, knowing that He will hear me and deliver me. As Romans 8:37 tells us, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” James 1:2-4, tells us how to be a victorious overcomer when we encounter troubles, when it says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and that includes you sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
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