You Have Overcome!

Overcomer Devotional  Tues 9/22

Read 1 John 2:12-17

12 I am writing to you, dear children,

   because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

13 I am writing to you, fathers,

   because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,

   because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,

   because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

   because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

   because you are strong,

   and the word of God lives in you,

   and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

John writes three short and powerful letters which are included near the end of the New Testament.  In each of them he encourages his fellow Christ-followers to press on.  He typically reminds us of God’s love and how much we should love as a result.  Here he addresses three groups of people - possibly in various stages of Christian growth - children, young men, fathers - and reminds them all that they are overcomers!

Memory Verse

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God.  

1 John 5:5 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Notice that when repeating the fact that the young men have overcome the evil one John adds an important detail.  What is it?  

Read the passage again slowly.  What stands out to you as the greatest personal challenge?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for helping me to overcome the evil all around me. I want to be an overcomer as I love you more and allow your word to live in me. Show me how to put the focus of my heart on you and not the temporary things of this world.  I want to be someone whose life is grounded in those things that live forever.  Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

• In light of this passage what would it look like for each of us to have the word of God living in us?  How can we encourage each other to move in that direction?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Humility overcomes the deadly sin of Pride.  Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.