“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
Revelation 12:11 (KJV) – emphasis mine
The victory that God desires for us isn’t automatic – it’s not going to just happen because you’re a Christian. Victory is yours, but you have to put your faith (confidence and trust) in God and His Word to start seeing it flow.
This scripture shows us that they overcame the enemy, but that they overcame through Jesus (“the blood of the Lamb”): through what He did for them. You will have challenges in this life, and the enemy will attack you. But God has set you up to overcome every attack and live in victory! You will have challenges and attacks in life (John 16:33). But because of Jesus, you can overcome. There is a part for you to play: you need to take hold of your inheritance in Christ by submitting to God and resisting the devil and his attacks. Only then will the devil leave you alone. (James 4:7)
When do you stop resisting (actively fighting against) the devil? When you’ve won and the enemy isn’t a threat anymore. In a war, the only time the army stop actively fighting against their enemy is when their enemy is no longer a factor. Don’t give up and don’t allow yourself to become passive – by God’s grace and in His power keep resisting!
God is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8). His heart for us is that we experience success and reign in life! He didn’t create anyone to be defeated or to be overcome by the enemy and the challenges of this life. God never created anyone to be unsuccessful and suffer – that’s a result of the fall of man (Romans 5:17). We are Christ’s ambassadors, or representatives (2 Corinthians 5:20). Therefore, we represent Him well when we are overcoming, living in victory and experiencing fruitfulness in our lives.
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.””
Mark 4:35 (NKJV)
“Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the
sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
Matthew 8:23-26 (NKJV)
The disciples had a word from Jesus (God) to “go over to the other side.” Jesus didn’t lie or trick them. He never told them to “go halfway and drown…”. Yet when they came up against this mighty storm which seemed like it was going to sink their ship, they panicked and were filled with fear. They could feel the mighty wind and see the ferocious waves. They saw that their boat was filling up with water, and sinking, and as a result, they were filled with fear.
When we focus on the natural (the effects of the storms in our lives) we too will be filled with fear and panic. But the reality is that they were not going to drown. Jesus knew that, and that’s possibly why He was sleeping (resting) through the storm. The problem was that the disciples had forgotten Jesus’ word to them, and had allowed the circumstances to consume them. We easily forget the promises of God when our hearts are consumed with the attacks we are facing. If the disciples had put faith in Jesus’ word to “go over to the other side” they would have possibly rebuked the storm themselves, or simply pushed through and persevered. Either way, they would have gotten to the other side.
God hasn’t called you to trust Him so that you could be the first person to ever see Him fail. Fear paralyzes us and prevents us from “getting to the other side”, and the only reason we would be filled with fear is that we are not putting faith in the promises of God. Just because you have a word from God doesn’t mean there won’t be opposition. That word won’t automatically come to pass. You need to trust God, resist the attacks of the devil and any opposition that comes your way, and persevere.
Are you filled with fear, or filled with faith? Faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). Fear comes from being focused on the attacks and negative circumstances in life. Choose to focus on God’s Word.
Don’t give up! Don’t give up! Don’t give up! Keep focused on Jesus and keep persevering. Resist the attacks of the devil and any opposition you face. Hold onto the promises of God and keep speaking them out boldly. You were created to overcome, to live a fruitful life and live in victory!
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