Overcome!

Overcome!

Romans 12:21 AMP

[21] Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.

A definition of overcome is to "succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty". This tells me that will be a definite problem, a defined solution and a predetermined outcome for that solution, if applied the right way. Wnar this makes clear is that there has to be a problem or difficulty for there to even be talk of overcoming. You cannot speak about an overcoming without first defining a challenge. As I take stock of my life, I realise that there are lots of things that seek to overwhelm me and cause me grief. The nature of sin that was inherited from Adam makes it easy for man to commit sin, and it is vain to demand righteousness from someone who is under the bondage and control of sin. How can the person who is himself bound be able to speak of freedom or victory from sin? If I will have victory, some things have to shift in the spiritual realm. If I will speak of overcoming, the relevant fight has to be fought and won. 

The relevant fight is the one over the flesh. It will be a useless venture to focus on anything else until the battle over the flesh has been won. As long as the flesh still thrives, victory is impossible. The flesh is as old as the human nature, so there is nothing of the human nature that can overcome it. You need the power of the One who has conquered sin and all its manifestations in order to live above the power and manifestations of sin. How can I speak of overcoming evil with good if all that is in me is evil? I must not bother to fight what is natural to me until I have taken up that which is contrary to my human nature. God is able to keep and preserve all who come to Him, but He does not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. His grace is sufficient, but my will must align to His, if I will truly enjoy all that God is and gives. There is no other way that works. 

There are clear choices available. It must be noted that God does not demand from anyone that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. If He commands it, be sure that the enablement and empowerment will definitely follow. When He says I must not be overcome by evil, He knows that I will not succeed on my own, but with His help, there is no limit to what I can become. When He also commands that I overcome evil with good, He knows that of myself, I can do no such thing, but when He helps, victory is sure and settled. It is to God's glory that my life reflects His mercies and dealings. All I can do is depend on and draw from that which He has already secured for me. That is the help that is available. That is the victory over evil that I have been given, and which I will do well to maintain. I will not succeed by labour or intellect, but by the enabling grace of God. Would you trust Him for the journey ahead? God's time of favour is here.