Have you sometimes struggled with or wondered how to overcome the various trials and temptations of this world? Jesus said, in the world we shall have troubles, but be encouraged, for he has overcome the world (John 16:33; Hebrews 4:15). And he exhorts us to follow him as the way to overcome the world and come to our heavenly Father (John 14:6).
LEARN FROM JESUS TO OVERCOME
In the Bible, we see the perfect example Jesus Christ left for us to overcome the world by obeying the Father.
- As the Son of God, Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
- The Lord humbled himself to the Father and submitted to dying on a cross for our salvation (Philippians 2:6-8).
- He was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit as an example for us to follow (Luke 3:22).
- He was tempted as we are (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrew 4:15).
- He prayed continually to be able to do his Father’s will (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:35; Luke 22:44).
- He lived by every word of God, as we should (Matthew 4:4).
- Jesus always did what was pleasing to the Father (John 8:29)
LEARN FROM CHRIST’S CLOSE DISCIPLES
Important things that Christ taught his disciples have been passed on to us for our learning how to overcome the world.
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PETER–As a close disciple of Jesus Christ, Peter believed that Jesus was the promised messianic savior, even when many others didn’t (John 6:68-69). He followed Jesus and was taught to pray (Luke 11:1-28). He observed Jesus submitting totally to the Father (John 8:29; Luke 22:42). He witness Jesus doing unparalleled miracles and fulfilling scriptures–demonstrating that he is the only begotten Son of God (John 15:24; Matthew 5:17). Yet Peter was naïve of the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus would sent to indwell believers, until the day of Pentecost (John 16: 13-15; Acts 1:8).
Peter showed his ignorance of his need for the power of the Holy Spirit to indwell him, when he boasted of his ability to stand by the Lord, though all others forsook him (Matthew 26:33).
When Jesus was taken before authorities who plotted to kill him, Peter, in fear of his own life, denied he knew Jesus three time in the same night (Luke 22:54-62).
However, Jesus knew that Peter had good intentions, but was too weak to do what he wanted to do without the enablement of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus later sent to live in him (Matthew 26:41). Nevertheless, after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, he gave Peter an opportunity to repent and be restored in his relationship with the Lord.
When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, as Jesus had promised, he received power. Peter boldly confronted and proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ with scriptures, to many Jews whom he said crucified the Lord (Acts 2).
We should avail ourselves of what we see Peter learned from the Lord, in our endeavor to overcome the world.
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PAUL–Jesus revealed himself to Paul, and chose him to be an example of suffering for the Lord. Subsequent to Paul seeing Jesus as Lord, the apostle was filled with the Holy Spirit and became a man of prayer. Being filled with the Holy Spirit and given true understanding of Scripture, Paul proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ with power. Through his preaching and example of following the Lord, he caused many Jews and non-Jews to be saved. (Acts 9:1-29; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:2).
In 2 Corinthians 11: 23-30, Paul said he suffered more than others for the sake of Jesus and his people:
23 Are they servants of Christ?…I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
In recognizing his weakness, Paul realized his dependence on God for strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). He thanked God for enabling him to suffer for the Lord and his people (1 Timothy 1:12). And the Apostle Paul was grateful to God for the crown of righteousness that awaited him, and all who follow Christ looking for his reappearance (2 Timothy 4:8)..
Following what the Bible teaches us about Jesus Christ, and his close disciples, we can overcome the trials of the world and live with God in heaven.
