TEXT: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."-1 John 5:4

Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is the victory that overcomes the world. We know that the whole world lies in wickedness, and because we know this, God has commanded us, through apostle John, that we should not love the world, neither the things that are in the world. This is because all that are in the world: the lust of the flesh; the lust of the eyes; and the pride of life, are not of God the Father, they are of the world, and the world is passing away, but anyone who does the will of God lives for ever, 1 John 2:15-17; 5:19.

In the book of Genesis chapter three, Adam and Eve did not overcome the world. The serpent deceived the woman to disobey God's commandment. The serpent did this by using the things of the world. Eve saw that the tree was good for food. That was the lust of the flesh; and that it was pleasant to the eyes. That was the lust of the eyes; and a tree to be desired to make one wise. And that too was the pride of life, Genesis 3:6. Eve did not rightly use the word of God, instead the word of God was distorted, Genesis 3:3. And she ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and also gave to her husband.

Conversely, Jesus showed us how to overcome the world, or the things that are in the world. In the book of Matthew chapter four. After Jesus has fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry. And the tempter came and said to him that if he is the Son of God, he should command the stones to become bread. This is the lust of the flesh. Jesus knew he is the Son of God, he doesn't need anyone to remind him of that fact, not even Satan the devil.

Furthermore, Jesus has the power to do anything, including turning stones to bread, after all he was hungry. But, Jesus made it clear that nobody should tell him what to do, not even the tempter, but only God the Father. And with this, he answered the devil and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Matthew 4:2-4.

The devil not yet done with Jesus, took him to the small pointed stone decoration on top of the temple, and said he should cast himself down: for it is written, God shall give his angels charge to catch him, so that he will not hurt himself. This is the pride of life. But, Jesus said unto him, it is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, Matthew 4:5-7.

The devil being a die hard never give up wicked spirit, takes him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. This is the lust of the eyes. The devil further said he will give Jesus all the things he saw, if only he will bow down and worship him. The devil also claimed that all the power of the world has been delivered to him, Luke 4:6. This he fraudulently collected from Adam. But, Jesus said unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve, Matthew 4:8-10.

The written word of God is what Jesus used in defeating the devil, and also to overcome the world. We too, as children of God, should use the written word of God to overcome the world. And when we do this, it shows our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is the victory that overcomes the world.

The grace of the love Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Pastor K. C.