Central Thought: The believer should have the disposition of loyalty, fidelity and a winning attitude in line with God’s word.
Text: 1 John 5:4-5, Mark 9:23, Hebrews 11:24-26
Faithful men of God of scriptural times displayed some rare depth of conviction in their relationship with God. They spoke words and carried out actions that were potent and deeply inspired. Great results were obtained and outstanding victories were won to the glory of God. The display of trust and manifestation of supernatural confidence is directly hinged on the level of fellowship and communion developed already. These persons had come to a stage where they clearly understood the will and promptings of God. Their words were not as in emotional outbursts, neither were they known for prowess in oratory. Their words of faith were aptly released from a deep reservoir of spiritual experiences with God. They spoke as they believed and it was so. They projected God and not self.
It is important that every believer develop and exercise unshakeable faith in God. This is to be cultivated through fellowship, nurtured with right mentality of resilience, persistence and the winning attitude in line with the word of the overcomer’s faith.
This study will explain how present day believers can develop and manifest the overcomers’ faith in our day to day activities.
Lesson Objectives:
The objectives of this study are as follows:
- To explain the meaning of the concept overcomers’ faith.
- To identify the source of the overcomers’ faith and how we can develop such faith.
- To list the main hindrances to exercising the overcomers’ faith.
- To state the benefits of having the overcomers’ faith.
Question 1.) Explain the phrase “Overcomers Faith”.
To overcome means to surmount, subdue or prevail over an obstacle. It is to overwhelm, and win outrightly. Faith is an attitude that has to do with level of conviction and trust in a situation, an obligation that has bearing on loyalty and confidence.
Overcomers’ faith refers to a mentality of strong conviction, complete trust and confidence in God’s willingness and ability to perform His promise. It is the display of resilient and persistent character of mind based on the word of God, so as to prevail over challenges. It involves the expression of positive words and matching them with corresponding action in a manner anticipatory of imminent victory.
Question 2.) Give scriptural examples of persons who demonstrated overcomers’ faith.
There are several instances of pious men who displayed the overcomers’ faith at some point of their lives. Some of them are:
- Abraham (Genesis 22:7-8)
When he told his young son Isaac that the Lord will provide a ram for Himself, and it soon came to pass.
- Isaac (Genesis 26:19-22)
When he sowed much under drought in the land of the Philistines, and was not discouraged by natural and man-made obstables, and he eventually harvested a hundred fold that year.
- Moses (Exodus 14:13-14)
When he told the frightened Israelites that “The Egyptians you see today, you shall see them no more”, and it came to pass in less than twenty four hours.
- Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 13:30-31, 14:6-8)
Who despite the size of Anakin’s and the strong defences of their cities declared with confidence “we are able, if God delight in us He will give us their land” and they wer the only two who made it to the Promised land in their generations.
- Little Shepherd boy David (1 Samuel 17:37)
Who confronted the well equipped Philistine giant and champion Goliath not just with a sling and five stones, but in the name of the Lord God of Israel.
- Others include Daniel and the three Hebrew children
Who cherished their faith more than their lives and they were recognized throughout the kingdom, so also is Jehosophat, the king of Judah who in faith arranged choristers with instruments of music to lead the charge against the invading armies (Daniel 3:16-17; 2 Chronicles 20:20).
The overcomers’ faith is not based on known material evidence of practical viability of the circumstance but on simple trust in God’s ability.
Question 3.) Explain the main hindrances to the manifestation of the Overcomers’ faith.
Mark 9:23, James 3:2, Proverbs 13:20
The hindrances to manifestation of the overcomers’ faith are found in our mentality, actions, environment and the pressures they bring on us. They are designed to keep us away from possessing the overcomers’ faith and leave us in a perpetual state of subservience and oppression.
The pressures of any atom of unbelief and doubt will hinder the development of the overcomers’ faith. We cannot demonstrate what we have not accepted as real. The company of friends we keep can hinder our faith if it is a wrong one due to the principle of mutual influence. Poor management of our speech life (tongue) can hinder our desire to operate with the overcomers’ faith. Inappropriate words can puncture the vitality of our faith. The believer who is hunted by the mistakes of the past cannot coordinate adequately to demonstrate the overcomers’ faith. He will always be troubled by a sense of guilt, inferiority and unworthiness. Fear of the unknown and fear of satanic terror will hinder the exercise of our faith. This is because fear lays more emphasis on the risks rather that the prospects involves.
Ignorance, poor knowledge of the word of God and undefined focus in the life of a believer will hinder the development of higher faith. Unbridled quest for material benefit, mental and practical compromise of scriptural standards, complacency and disobedience, disloyalty and disrespect for leadership are all salient factors that can each hinder the development of the overcomers’ faith in any believer. The absence of the Holy Spirit will make one resort to self-help in the exercise of faith and the believer is not bettered in such situation.
Question 4.) In what ways and by what means can we develop the overcomers’ faith?
Acts 1:8, Romans 10:17, Joshua 1:8, James 2:17, 2 Timothy 1:7
The overcomers’ faith is neither imparted nor endowed to individuals. It is available to anyone who can appropriate it under the grace of God. A process of growth is involved.
It begins with a right attitude to the word of God. The eagerness to hear it, commit it to memory and to do it, must be foremost before the willingness to teach it to others. We must show deep personal reverence and respect for God and for the things of God. Holy living is a precursor to a fruitful faith. Boldness in the power of the Holy Spirit to declare the will of God is a necessity if we are to develop the overcomers’ faith. This is the courage to give a right answer to every situation.
The indwelling presence and baptism in the Holy Spirit will connect a believer to raw power for exploits. We can develop the overcomers’ faith by engaging in soul-winning, because this type of faith is released by God for the liberation of souls that have been held in bondage by the enemy. It is not for money-making or for materialistic expansion. We must therefore desire the overcomers’ faith with the right motive, and that is to win souls. A prayerful lifestyle, a life of consecration and true fellowship with God and readiness to take risks for God will bring us to developing overcomers’ faith. It is desirable, but the price associated with having the overcomers’ faith is high. God is willing to make it available but He is also watching for those who will use it to make profit that will abound to eternity.
Question 5.) What are the benefits of having the overcomers’ faith?
Jude 20-21, 1 Peter 5:4
There are attractive benefits to derive from having an overcomers’ faith. A believer who is able to exercise the overcomers’ faith will certainly have the privilege of abiding in the love of God thereby enjoying the fullness of fellowship with the Father. His life will be pleasing unto God, and as such will be surrounded by the blessings and mercies of God. He will be free from curse, oppression and bondage to satan, and will rather live a life of dominion and abundant grace. He will be fruitful in soul-winning and will lead many to righteousness. He will enjoy in full measure, the peace and joy associated with doing the will of God. He will fulfill his calling and ministry, and will be empowered to keep the faith to the end. He will inherit eternal life in the kingdom of God, where he will be adequately rewarded and celebrated for successfully exercising the overcomers’ faith on earth.
Daily Living Application:
The overcomers’ faith is a non-negotiable and non-apologetic adherence to the word of God. It makes a high level of trust on God. Though is backed by the scriptures, it has some substantial element of risk, and that is why it is faith.
The believer who desires to exercise this kind of faith must first be loyal to God, and then fervent in spirit. His motive should be centered around soul salvation and magnifying the name of the Lord. He should be careful for his own salvation, and must not be carried away by pride or ego. In this attitude he will have that faith, and with it he will do exploits for the kingdom of Christ.
Memory Verse
Revelation 3:21
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne”.