Being a Biblical Overcomer of adversity by standing in faith is a HUGE thing for us to "get" as Believers and children of YHVH. It's not just a "good idea", it is expected of us! This is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart, as it should be to all His people! Have you come to an understanding of this facet of our walk? If we are derailed or paralyzed by the circumstances in our lives, how can we be effective ambassadors for HIM? If things don't go the way we think they ought to - this is an opportunity for the Fruits of the Spirit to show them selves victorious in the situation when we yield to HIM in our process of managing these HARD situations. Isn't this what the Bible teaches us from Genesis to Revelation? Our best example in the flesh of course being Yeshua. However, great props do out to "regular men and women" who have also proven themselves to be overcomers. This depth of commitment and character and trust is something I believe the Father is calling each of us to embrace and really live out. There are so many facets to being overcomers!
1. We are first called to overcome ourselves (our own sin nature, habits, and belief systems). This is by far the hardest- if we are truly honest with ourselves! We are always there! We can't get way from ourselves! Although many fall into the trap of deceiving themselves as an attempt to try.
2. Then we are to learn not to be deceived by all these facets of OTHERS. (Romans 12:21) (Every person in our lives comes with their own "built in" sin natures that they need to overcome and we need to love and walk graciously with them in the process. Not allowing any of it "rub off" on us, and seeing it for it is, while at the same time - loving them anyway - in thier process. (and vice versa!) We also must resist the desire to find acceptance and comfort in walking with other believers before we seek the comfort in Yah.
3. When adversity or even tragic circumstances arise - these only reveal who we truly are underneath our social graces and attempts to live "Biblical" lives. It is where the rubber meets the road, it reveals where we really are in our relationship and in surrender to Him. Yet, too often we use circumstances as excuses as to why we responded wrongly, succumb to fear, act divisively or find ourselves making pour choices. Instead we are to lean into HIM, in worship and pray, and say and do only as the Father instructs us in the matter - being wholly dependent and submitted to HIM and HIS will in the matter. We do this by giving up all our fleshly "rights" and desires and doing as we're told with thankful hearts and in full trust - come what may.
4. If that is not enough to keep us busy, in the midst of all of this, we have to learn the difference between Yah's guidance and adversaries deception. We need to recognize the difference between Yah's voice and the counterfeiter because our own father tests us and trains us. The adversary also is very skilled at finding our weak spots and tries to disable us in our Kingdom walk, work and identity. We learn how to do this - well....the hard way in most cases. HOWEVER if we LEARN from our mistakes and we take head to the difference - and focus, exercise and strengthen our trust/faith in Yah and strive not be deceived.... then we become over comers. Consistent and always on guard. Ready now - not only to defend against attacks that come toward us - but also to help defend our families and community by applying wisdom and service, by sharp discerning and courage to do what is necessary, by standing in the gap, being peacemakers and being a living example.
I believe the "overcomers" are the true Elders of the church. Not just those who have been doing this longer, or who have gray heads or who have the building - so to speak...but rather those who have shown a solid pattern of guarding and walking in Yah's Way in adversity and in calm. Those whos are hearts are that of servants, who always surrender themselves, and want to be peacemakers and restorers, those whose lives also unambiguously spill over the fruits of the spirit. Yes - they have room to be "human" too - but these traits supersede their flesh as a rule. These are overcomers and these are the elders whom Yah rises up among His people. May all know the difference and may all Believers live their lives they may be evident that they are a Nation of Priests who rightly reveal Yah's name/character.
Too often, I hear of trials of the flesh that are NOT overcome righteously and humbly in The Body; squabbles between brothers, squabbles within families, poor self discipline, fear of man, fear of the adversary (fear of anything except the one true Elohim!) are present instead. Doctrinal disputes without contrite hearts are argued, political disputes and personal preferences that people insist are "Yah's preferences" even cause more destruction in The Body, the list goes on. People try to govern others before they have effectively governed themselves in Yah's ways and the results are tragic. Too often I hear excuses and justifications, accusations of others and self righteous reasoning and lack of responsibility of ones OWN faults in a matter. Too often I see conditional commitment and pride prevailing in conflict. We may say we 'forgive', but if we honestly do, this profession is one that starts a chain reaction of change and comes from a contrite and selfless place or peace making and resolution put in action. So often people say one thing but do not follow through with the "doing" which proves the truth of the confession.
So the question must be asked: What do you do? What do you see in others who say they are His??? Too often I see self preservation instead of selfless surrender. (Romans 12) Do we realize that just because we may have left behind so many 'traditions of man' that were in our "churches", still the "religious spirit" can reside in a man to build his own religion with misplaced authority? Things get off track by just adding a little interpretation here and little expression there to better glorify the vision that they say The Father has given them. It is so subtle even to him who is doing it - it goes unnoticed and it is done in layers. Even the faithful who want to please Yah can stray off the path one step at a time unknowingly from their good intentions.
Family, we have been given the keys to The Kingdom. Are we showing ourselves as good and faithful servants and examples??! Are we not guardians and protectors of His ways??? How can we be that if we are not doing them ourselves? Wouldn't that make us hypocrites? MAY IT NOT BE SO!! We have been given everything we could ever need and MORE to BE overcomers of things of the world. Can we not see it?? We have the ability to walk intimately with the HIGHEST of counselors, and He has given us every weapon more powerful than any adversary's, yet when we do these things, we are proving that we are not IN HIM and we are choosing to stray. When we are doing these things, we have stepped off the path my friends! How much more harshly will we be judged, than those who were ignorant and have never been trained or tasted his goodness? (Romans 3)
We have been given salvation (Yeshua) and all the gifts of the Spirit to equips us. We have been given the Torah to also light our path. Yah has a better plan for His people if only we remain faithful as overcomers until the end. Only seeking HIS rewards. Only seeking His appointments. Only seeking HIS will. Auditing ourselves weekly, daily and hourly - lest we find ourselves veering off the path.
May we all be convicted, encouraged, and equipped to develop and exercise the faith and trust muscles that it takes to be the overcomers that we are called to be. May we be examples of this in our families and communities, so that others may also yearn and learn to be guided by the light of truth as well! For by their fruits they shall know them! (Matt 7)
Shabbat Shalom!
In Him,
Here is a study snippet Who is the Overcomer? that sites verses in Scripture about overcoming. I pray that it might spark your study and prayer in this direction, even though it only scratches the surface of the many facets and ways that we must overcome!
Here are a few positive verses about overcoming in Yah's name:
When Yah ordered scouts to survey the land (in Numbers 13) which they were about to be given. Some men gave bad reports of fear unwilling to go and unable to stand in faith, but it was Caleb who was faithful and saw what Yah's plan was and was willing to carry it out in faith regardless of the circumstances and without fear.
30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
John 16:33
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.”
2 Peter 2:19
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
2 Peter 2:20
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
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.
1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Revelation 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.”’
Revelation 2:11
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’
Revelation 2:17
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’
Revelation 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.
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