VICTORY IN THE HEART

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the VICTORY that has overcome the world – our FAITH” – 1 John 5:4

In this fourth month of our Year of Hearts, Hands and the Blessed Life, our focus shall be on VICTORY in the HEART: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the VICTORY that has overcome the world – our FAITH” (1Jh.5:4). We shall be meditating on scriptures that awaken faith, stir up strength, release power, and establish Victory in our Hearts and lives. Believers in Christ are divinely ordained by redemption, to have Dominion and Victory over Sin, Satan and his emissaries, the world and all its evil and wickedness, and the flesh. Victory in life starts from the heart. Victory in life is a product of the empowered heart. Every day of this Month of April, we shall meditate on Scriptures about the Victory of Christ and our sure victories in Him.

The Believer in Christ has been instructed and empowered to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. However, such equipping originates in the inner man – the heart. Paul reveals that: “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph.6:12). He reminds us: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Cor.10:3-5). In other words, our warfare is essentially spiritual – a warfare of the heart and mind.

James assures that when we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us (Jam.4:7). Paul lists the weapons of warfare that we require to overcome the adversaries of our hearts and enemies of our lives and destinies: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph.6:10-11). Our defensive and protective armour comprises: the belt or girdle of truth; the breastplate of righteousness; brazen boots or shoes prepared to bear the Gospel of peace; the shield of faith; and the helmet of salvation. The offensive parts of our armour for conquest are: the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God; and Praying in the Spirit (Eph.6:14-18).

Faith is the Victory that overcomes the world (1Jh.5:4). And the God-kind of faith is heart-based. It’s not mere mental assent, carnal determination, or self-confidence. We’ve noted that Victory over the devil comes through the knowledge and right deployment of the weapons of our warfare, which also are not carnal, but spiritual – heart-based. Finally, we overcome the works of the flesh by walking in the Spirit: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Gal.5:16). God’s Word provides many helpful instructions on how to be filled with and walk in the Spirit so that the lusts of the flesh will be starved of their sinful desires.

Jesus lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death, and all who trust in Him are identified with Him and His Victory. We are identified with His Life. We are identified with His death and we are identified with His Victory over sin, Satan, death, and the world. Because the Lord Jesus has overcome the world, all who trust in His name have also overcome the world – by association with Him!

By faith in Christ, we have overcome the ungodly world system that is saturated in sin and seeks to entrap us in its many and varied temptations, enticements, and traps. God has given us all we need to overcome Sin, the world, the flesh and the devil. Let us live, serve victoriously from our hearts, for His praise and glory – for He alone is worthy and deserving of all honour and glory!