TRIUMPH

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. – 2 Corinthians 2:14

Christianity is warfare, and it should be the privilege of every believer to always win. The Promise of TRIUMPH is declared in 2 Corinthians 2:14: God always “leads us in TRIUMPH in Christ” notwithstanding the many enemies we face. God’s Word confirms undoubtedly who our primary enemy is – Satan, and with him the principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness. God’s Word charges you to: “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1Pet.5:8). The Lord Jesus revealed to Peter, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail…” (Lk.22:31-32a). Satan – the believer’s mortal enemy – is determined to challenge and erode your faith and cause it to fail, but the Lord’s assurance to Peter is the same to all who believe.

The believer’s second main enemy is the World, the satanic world system that is always hostile to the interests of grace and righteousness. The Lord Jesus told His disciples: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (Jh.15:18). The world is submerged in an “ocean of wickedness”: “we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1Jh.5:19). The third enemy we are contending with is the flesh, which is the exact opposite of the spirit, and often stands in opposition to the spirit. The flesh is the fallen human nature, which finds it hard to please God: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal.5:17). You triumph over the flesh by crucifying the flesh; that is, submitting your flesh to the Word of God and to your recreated spirit. Knowing the truth of God’s Word and acting upon it will free you from the lusts of the flesh. These three enemies – the trinity of evil – often combine systematically to attack the believer.

The good news is that when we trust in and rely on God, He’ll always cause us to triumph over these three enemies and over all our enemies: “But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD…” (Psa.37:39a). That’s why the Bible gives us the responsibility to take on the whole armor of God: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph.6:13). When you heed divine instructions, you will triumph over sin: “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace” (Rom.6:14). You will triumph over temptations: “then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…” (2Pet.2:9a). You will triumph over lack and all wants: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil.4:19). You will triumph over death and the grave: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor.15:56).

In Christ, Victory is guaranteed and triumph assured, but you must make moves in that direction. To actualize and possess the Victory already obtained in Christ, you need to watch, pray, deny yourself, and persevere until your prevail. You must be ready to fight on as a good soldier of Christ, and the Master will cause you to triumph. Remember: this is our Season of Victory and Triumph – total, all-round, irreversible triumph. It’s time to Step Out in Triumph! Think Triumph. Talk Triumph. Walk Triumph. Live Triumph! You will not tell stories of woe. You’ll begin to declare Testimonies of Triumph, in Jesus name!