Some days all the shiny stuff around me demands my affection and it’s hard to resist—material possessions that pledge to make my life perfect and pleasurable, improve my social standing, and give me security and safety. This worldview tells me to look out for myself only because resources are scare and I deserve more than others. But while it promises so much, it ends up only increasing my burdens as it tries to seduce me away from loving God with my whole being.

But the apostle John says I, as a believer in Jesus, have overcome this world.

“for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1 John 5:4–5 NIV

WHO overcomes (conquers, is victorious)? 

Anyone born of God overcomes, specifically those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God [Messiah/Anointed One] (1 Jn 5:13, Jn 20:31).

WHAT do they overcome? 

They overcome the world [all the shiny stuff that demands our love] (2:13) and its burdensome commands (5:3–4; Mt 23:2–4, Ps 38:4).

HOW do they overcome? 

They overcome by faith, both saving faith and an ongoing trust and dependence on Jesus [i.e. abiding] (4:16).

WHY can they overcome?

They overcome because Jesus already overcame the world (Jn 16:33). And his Spirit is in them and he is “greater than the one who is in the world” (4:4). 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the anointed one. Now help me trust and rely on you moment by moment to overcome the temptations around me. I desire to give all my love to you alone and not to the ornaments around me. I remind myself that because you have overcome the world, I can too. I ask your Spirit in me to increase my faith. I take heart. While the war may still rage around me, I take hold of your peace within me.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

—Jesus Christ, John 16:33 NIV