Editor’s Note: As we grow in our understanding of the spiritual competition of life, which is laid out in the Word of God, we can be reminded that we are superconquerors in all of life’s situations. Enjoy this article “from the vault,” originally published in April of 2018, which details devices our adversary uses against God’s people and how we can prevail against them.
Do you remember a time when you were waiting to be chosen for one of two teams that would be competing against each other? Perhaps for a baseball game or a volleyball game? Generally, a captain would be designated for each team, and then they would take turns choosing teammates. A smart, strong captain would choose players to gain an advantage and lead the team to win the competition. Didn’t you want to be on the team with the more capable captain?
As sons of God, we are in a spiritual competition.
Ephesians 6:12:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We don’t compete against one another but against our adversary, the Devil (I Peter 5:8). And thankfully we are on the team with the more capable Captain—the all-knowing, all-powerful God. Yes, we’re on God’s team! We’re on the same side as God. He is for us; and if God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
This is a comforting truth and an important one to remember at all times, especially when we face opposition. No matter the situation the adversary may orchestrate, we never have to feel powerless or think there is no solution. With God on our side, we are absolutely on the winning team! We can always be the triumphant victors.
II Corinthians 2:14:
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
What do we need to be the victors over? Well, for example, Romans 8:35 lists seven things that the adversary endeavors to use to separate God’s people from the love of Christ. These are things people might face in life at one time or another.
Romans 8:35:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Seven words in this verse describe devices the adversary uses to try to make us feel weak in the spiritual competition. These are (1) tribulation, or mental pressure; (2) distress; (3) persecution, pursuit, as of enemies; (4) famine, scarcity of food, or hunger; (5) nakedness, describing want; (6) peril, danger or risk; and (7) sword, literal or figurative.
If we are faced with one of these attacks, we could be tempted to think that we are not able to bear up under all that pressure or that there is no solution. But what does the Word say about the mind-set we can maintain in all these things? It says we are more than conquerors.
Romans 8:37:
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors [superconquerors] through him that loved us.
Not only can we be victors in life’s competitions, but we can also be more than conquerors—superconquerors! God knew before the foundation of the world that we would encounter challenges in life, some greater than others. In light of this, did He tell us to say, “Woe is me” or “Why is this happening to me?” or “I can’t handle this; it’s too hard” or “My situation is beyond God’s help”? No! A victim mentality won’t help us win. Instead, He wants this to be our confession: “In all these things we are more than conquerors. In all these things, we have victory beyond measure!” We are in the midst of a spiritual competition, and it isn’t always easy or fun; yet even in the most trying circumstances, we can maintain the mind-set given to us by our God: we are “more than conquerors” in every situation through Christ Jesus!
The Apostle Paul was persuaded of this truth, and we can become fully persuaded also, no matter the spiritual attack.
Romans 8:38,39:
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The next time opposition comes our way, we can remember that our team has the greatest Captain of all time—God Almighty. He is all-knowing; He is all-powerful. And He is FOR US. Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our lord—NOTHING.
Here is a cheer we can confess to claim the victory each and every day:
If God be for us,
Who can be against us?
Who can be against us?
Who can be against us?
If God be for us, who can be against us?
No one, no one, NO ONE!
We are on the winning team, and IN ALL THINGS we are superconquerors through him that loved us.