The Life that Overcomes

The Life That Overcomes
I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. —1 John 2: 14
Make no mistake about it: if you are a Christian, you are in a battle. The battle is for mastery of your mind, and thus your life. God wants to rule your life so He can bless you and have fellowship with you. Satan wants to rule your life so he can destroy it. Using lies and the promises of immediate fulfillment, he tries to lure you after the lust of your flesh. But whatever gain he gives you, it is just a temporary pleasure.
**God wants you to overcome the temptations of Satan.
God wants you to know victory. But you cannot know victory on your own strength. You overcome only through Jesus Christ, who can empower you to stand against the wiles of the Devil. What is the secret to victory? Today’s passage says that the strength of the young men came from the Word of God abiding in them. As David said, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119: 11). Jesus overcame the enticements of Satan with Scripture, as He responded to every tempting lie with a truth from God’s Word. If God’s Word is in our hearts, then we will not be vulnerable to the lies of Satan. When he brings temptation, we will have within us the strength we need to counteract his lies with the blessed truths of our Father.
Father, thank You that we can overcome by following in Your steps—by living a life that is pleasing, a life that is governed by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.