Daily Bread – March 5, 2022 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) 1 John 5:4 – Because everyone who is begotten of God conquers the world – and this is the conquering power that conquered the world, our faith. The world and all of its lust war against us, opposing the commandments of God. God’s Word – His will and ways expressed in His commands – empowers us with the insight and authority to conquer everything the spirit of the world would throw at us. The Greek word ‘nikao’ (νικάω) means “to conquer,” and is a word that describes those who are born of God (Romans 8:37). It is used in Luke 11:22 to describe how the strong man is conquered, and then again in John 16:33 to describe how Jesus conquered the world. All who are born of God also conquer the world, just as Jesus conquered the world (John 20:21; Revelation 3:21, 21:7). It is used of the antichrist who will go forth conquering and to conquer; but as for us, we have been given the power to overthrow and overcome all the power of the Devil, and nothing within the demonic realm can hurt us (Luke 10:19). The One Who conquered the world, Christ Jesus, lives on the inside of us, and therefore, we have conquered every lying power of darkness and the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:3-4, reference also: 1 John 2:13-14, 3:24, 4:13-16). John has mentioned eight specific attributes of those who are begotten of God (1 John 2:29, 3:9, 4:7, 5:1, 4). The highlighted point is that everyone who is born of God is identified as one who conquers and overcomes every dimension of sin and iniquity that the spirit of the world attempts to entice them with. We have been given power over everything that is in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-16). There is no form of sin or power of Satan that has dominion over us because we have been born of God (Romans 6:1-23; 1 John 5:18). Our assignment is to destroy every work of darkness wherever we find it (Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:15; Luke 10:19; John 17:21-23). The sovereign God has given to us His strength and His power so that we may have His ability to overthrow every power of darkness. We have power over every unclean spirit and every god-defying thing in this world that would attempt to lead us astray or prevent us from doing what pleases the Father (2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:14). The conquering power we have is our faith – the faith of Jesus Christ. This is the faith that has made all things new and brought forth the new creation. It is found in our willingness to agree with God and believe what He has said regarding who we are and what He has made us to be: overcomers. The faith that God lives in us and that we live in Him is the means by which we overcome. It is by the faith that we have received His power and authority, and that nothing is impossible for anyone who will believe. This is the faith that comes to us by the Word of God, and operates in our lives by the Spirit of God. If we will believe what God has said and act upon it, then the faith of God is activated, and the power of God becomes effective in our lives (Mark 11:22; Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:5; Philemon 1:6; James 2:26). All we need to do is to trust in the Lord, in Whom is everlasting strength, and every power opposed to God will fall like stubble before our feet (Exodus 15:7; Isaiah 26:4, 41:2). We have been given the keys (and the authority) of the Kingdom of God, and as soldiers in His army, we are commissioned to destroy and conquer everything opposed to His Kingdom (Matthew 12:28-29, 16:19; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:19; John 1:12; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 2:4). We are to allow Jesus to be revealed in our lives, and give ourselves to His ministry – He Who was manifested to destroy the works of darkness. Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 3/5/2022
