The Journey of Being Overcomers

Dr. Wright often discussed being an overcomer. It was his heart to see everyone overcome and have victory over the works of the devil. This legacy teaching is Dr. Wright’s encouragement to us on the journey of being overcomers.

Promises to the Overcomers

In the book of Revelation, Jesus had much to say to overcomers. In chapters 2 and 3, He gave challenges to seven churches and promises for those who would overcome. I suggest everyone go back and read what Jesus said to the seven churches. To the church in Laodicea, He gave overcomers the ability to sit with Him on His throne. Jesus was an overcomer by His obedience to the Father, and He proved we could be overcomers too.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation 3:21 KJV

Many people today do not know how to overcome because they have never been taught. Overcoming is defeating the things in our lives that keep us from success and having victory in Jesus’ name. It does not mean we have the absence of temptation, but we can withstand and defeat it. Every day we are tempted from within and without, with thoughts and iniquities which want to influence us to retreat. But God has given us tools to overcome and succeed.

How to Overcome

We can overcome by repenting to the Father for allowing those thoughts and things to rule us. The Father wants to fellowship with us, but He does not want to share us with devils. Just because we are born again does not mean we do not have to ask for forgiveness when we sin. God wants us to repent and take responsibility. He wants to come by His Spirit and commune with us, but we are only able to have fellowship around truth. This is why He challenged the seven churches and gave them the opportunity to repent.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19 KJV

We can also renew our minds by the Word of God so that when a thought comes that is contrary to His Word—we cast it down according to Scripture. Our battles are won or lost right between our ears. We must know the Word, so we know what thoughts and imaginations to cast down. This is a big part of the journey of being an overcomer: renewing our minds and casting down thoughts that do not line up with God’s Word.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

The Weapon and Armor of Overcomers

If we do not know what is written in the Bible, we do not have a sword to defeat the enemy’s deception. Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness by quoting the Word, and so can we. Without our swords, we are powerless against the enemy. He would not send us to the front lines of battle without a weapon to protect us.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:10-11 KJV

Likewise, we have spiritual armor to shield us—but there is nothing to cover our backsides. God intends for us to face things in our lives because there is no protection for us if we cower or turn away. We cannot defeat anything while we are running from it. We cannot withdraw from the battle; whatever obstacles are in our lives, we must move forward to face them if we want to be overcomers.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:14-17 KJV

The Goal of Being Overcomers

Overcomers not only remove the enemy’s ways of thinking, speaking, and acting from their lives, but they replace them with God’s ways instead. They accept God’s Word as truth rather than their feelings, emotions, or circumstances. As they embrace the mind of God, His ways become their ways, and His thoughts become their thoughts. I have seen many times that healing comes to people who decide to be overcomers and change their ways into His ways. We must remove the enemy’s ways from our lives and become doers of the Word.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 KJV

Peter is an example of an overcomer, and we can learn from his journey. He blew it in Luke 22 when he denied Jesus out of fear. But afterward, he recovered himself and went on to strengthen others. When we mess up, do we go under and believe that God has left us and start listening to the lies of the enemy? Or do we experience His forgiveness and love? Peter was a recovered failure and walked in this other side of mercy. The journey of overcoming is not dependent upon whether or not we will stumble—but upon what we will do when we make a mistake.

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Proverbs 24:16

Overcomers Need One Another!

Another key to being an overcomer is fellowship with other overcoming believers because there is safety in many counselors. Proverbs 11:14 KVJ says: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Alone we are isolated and may be at risk. The enemy wants to divide us, but we need each other. When we are in trouble, we can talk to each other. There is strength in our connection, and together, we have the ability to put to flight more of the enemy than if we are alone.

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up? Deuteronomy 32:30 KJV

Are We Overcoming?

In Revelation 21, there is a promise for anyone who overcomes—they will inherit all things. This promise is not for all Christians but for those who overcome. God wants us to be overcomers, and we have some work to do.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7 KJV

An overcomer is an activated son or daughter who understands the battle and is able to win it. We can have victory over the works of the enemy with the weapons and tools He has given us. The more we practice the journey of being overcomers, the easier it becomes.