160130 Overcoming Study

God tells His people to study and then to teach what they have learned. Studying has its rewards. Peace comes from knowing of the value that God places on us, in understanding from where strife originates, and in the realization of the power available to those who believe. Belief is not just admitting that there is a God. Belief is also in knowing what God will do, and in knowing how to operate the power which He gives us.

1 John 5:4-5

(4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

(5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

"Overcometh", "overcometh", and "overcometh" are all the same Greek word:

"G3528

νικάω

nikaō

nik-ah'-o

From G3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively): - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

Total KJV occurrences: 28"

This particular word appears twice in the Gospels, twice in Romans, and six times in the epistle of 1 John. It appears three times in the two consecutive verses I just quoted! Then, it appears seventeen times in Revelation to show how Christ Jesus has defeated The Enemy.

"G3529

νίκη

nikē

nee'-kay

Apparently a primary word; conquest (abstractly), that is, (figuratively) the means of success: - victory.

Total KJV occurrences: 1"

Of interest to this study, however, it this word that appears only once. A word used once should get our attention. Why did God choose to use this noun here? Only once does νίκη (nike) appear, and it is nestled among the only time that the verb form νικάω (nikeo) is used three times in such a short space. Does God want us to know that Our God is stronger than anything the World has to throw at us?

People use words haphazardly. Americans especially like to dismiss the meanings of words until someone latches onto to some innocent word or phrase to imbue it with hidden trigger meanings, which may have nothing to do with the actual meaning of any word. God, however, uses words precisely. Like signing a check or a receipt, He magnified His Word above His Name: Psalms 138:2. His Word is more precious than wealth: Psalm 19:9-11; Psalm 119:162; Psalm 12:6. If God is perfect, the Word He gave must be perfect, because He guarantees it. God had people record it; people are fallible, so it is up to us, individually, to search out that perfection for ourselves, 2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 24:2.

Wouldn't you like to know how to have victory? Would you like to be a super-conqueror? (Romans 8:37) Would you like to have the peace of God? (Philippians 4:7) Or the confidence of God? (Mark 11:22-24)

Take a word, and study it with a Lexicon and Concordance. Work in fifteen minute segments, but do at least one segment per day. Who can't carve out fifteen minutes among the one thousand four hundred and forty each of us has every day? God will honor your efforts, and will send help.

The APA wanted to make belief in an unseen God a psychiatric disorder, but were forced to amend that. Too many of us know better. Don't ever fear the future. God is already there, and has us covered. That's why every Christian can believe that we have overcome. It's not about skin color, the shape of one's nose, nor political beliefs. It's whether we believe what God says about us.

*Indented quotes come from the King James Version and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.