The Holy Spirit and the
Overcoming Life
CHARLES W. FORD
When a person commits his life to Jesus Christ he embarks on a
lifelong journey filled with rich blessing. He also receives a
divine promise that God’s abiding presence will be a continuous reality.
Yet, as Pilggm’s Progress so vividly portrays, the believer finds himself
in a constant struggle with evil powers (Ephesians 6:12). In seeking
to destroy the Christian, Satan uses the attraction of the world (1 John
2:15-17) and the desires of the flesh (Romans 8:13) as powerful forces
in tempting the believer to think evil thoughts and take actions that
are sinful.
Throughout time the enemy has been the same. Satan uses every
device possible in seeking to keep men from serving God. Knowing his
time is short (Revelation 12:12) Satan is relentless in trying to lure
believers away from following Jesus Christ. All too often the Christian,
who is spiritually anemic because of an inconsistent devotional life and
lack of complete dedication to Christ, falls prey to Satan’s snare. After
yielding to carnal desires or worldly attractions, he becomes discouraged
and wonders if victory is possible. The conflict goes on.
Still the Scripture clearly and unequivocally assures believers they
are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). No person cleansed by the
blood of Jesus Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit needs to be a
victim of Satan’s evil scheme. God has not only purposed that we should
be triumphant in this spiritual conflict but has made provision for
continuous victory.
In addressing this subject the apostle John, moved by the Spirit,
encourages individual believers and the church collectively to be overcomers(
Revelation 2:7). Each of the sevenc hurches addressed in Revelation is challenged to overcome. Along with the challenge is a promise
given to those who listen to the Spirit and are obedient.
The word overcome, used uniquely by John in both his gospel and
epistles as well as Revelation, is parallel in meaning to the word conquer.
We can overcome or be conquerors in this great spiritual conflict.
But how? Much teachingi n the New Testament concerns this subject.
For our purpose we shall focus on how the Holy Spirit helps the believer
to be an overcomer or conqueror in his struggle against evil.
First, the Holy Spirit by His power strengthens our “inner man”
(Ephesians 3:16). Strengthened by the Spirit the believer faces temptation
from a well-fortified position. He has the spiritual power to
overcome. Yet why are so many Christians trapped by Satan’s snares?
Or why are some caught on a treadmill, yielding to the desires of the
flesh and attractions of the world, then coming back to God in repentance?
One obvious reason for this defeatism is the spiritually weakened
condition of the “inner man.” According to Merrill C. Tenney,
the Greek term for inner man refers to the true ego or the real person
or self. The outer man which is seen and known by others may not be
an accurate portrayal of the true self. In praying for the Ephesian
Christians, Paul asks that the inner man or the true self be strengthened
by the might of the Holy Spirit.
When a believer’s inner man is weakened by an inconsistent devotional
life he may fall prey to temptation. Worldly pleasures and carnal
desires begin to vie for his attention. But this need not happen. The
Holy Spirit is faithful to fortify us spiritually. He will enable us to be
overcomers in all situations.
Second, the Scripture declares, “Likewise the Spirit also helps our
infirmities” (Romans 8:26). The NIV New Testament translates this
verse, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness”. Every believer is painfully
aware of his weaknesses. Although someBible scholars limit the word
“infirmities” or “weakness” to problems in one’s prayer life, the broader
interpretation more closely conveys the complete meaning. In commenting
on this William M. Greathouse states, “Our infirmities must
surely encompass the whole array of human frailties.”
What does this all mean to the Christian who finds himself engaged
in a spiritual conflict? Much It gives the believer complete assurance
the Holy Spirit knows his vulnerable areas or his weaknesses and is
present to help him. His indwelling presence will strengthen and help
us overcome even in our weakness.
Third, Paul moved by the Holy Spirit briefly describes the spiritual
conflict every believer faces (Ephesians 6:11,12), and gives the strategy
for overcoming the enemy. Part of this strategy Paul says is to equip
oneself with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians
6:17). But how can God’s Word provide help for the believer who
is wrestling against the principalities, against rulers of darkness in
this world, and against spiritual wickedness and Satan himself?
Is it possible for a single believer to overcome an enemy as formidable
and vicious as Satan? Jesus Christ, our Lord, demonstrated how to
use the Word effectively in His confrontation with the devil (Matthew
4:1-11). He also used it in dealing with the Scribes and Pharisees.
The Spirit will teach us how to use this sword both defensively and
offensively. He enlightens the Word to our minds, helping us understand
it and use it effectively in our conflict with evil. When the believer’s
mind is enlightened by the Spirit and he quotes Scripture in
the face of temptation, Satan’s snares are cut in pieces and destroyed.
The believer is an overcomer. He is more than a conqueror. The songwriter
who penned the words “overcoming daily by the Spirit’s sword”
gave us a keen insight into the Spirit’s work in helping the Christian
be an overcomer.
Finally, the Spirit helps the believer in his effort to obey the truth
(1 Peter 1:22). Human nature is not inclined to obey and often becomes
a compelling force seeking to lead the Christian in ungodly paths.
Fallen human nature surrounded by worldly attractions and social
decadence plays a part in Satan’s scheme to draw the believer away
from the paths of truth and righteousness.
When a Christian is faced with temptation, a crucial moment occurs
as his mind and will are confronted with making a decision-a decision
to obey the truth or consent to gratifying a desire that would lead him
away from God. Human nature is weak, but the omnipotent Spirit
dwelling in the believer is present to strengthen and help him obey
the truth. He will never fail us. We can be conquerors and overcomers
in every situation when we let the Spirit control our lives.
God’s will is for every believer to be an overcomer. He has sent the
blessed Holy Spirit to dwell in us (1 Corinthians 6:19) and empower
us (Acts 1:B). We can be witnesses and have power to be conquerors
and overcomers in our conflict with the world, the flesh, and the devil.
He Abides
The Mississippi will sooner ceaset o flow into the Gulf of Mexico
and roll northward to the Arctic Sea than the Holy Spirit vacate
the trusting and obedient heart.
Reader, sit down with your concordance and trace throught he
writings of John and Paul the words “abide,” “dwell,” and “remain,”
as they are used in connection with the Holy Spirit in the
soul of the believer. You will be both surprised and strengthened
by this research.
Then go and give a Bible reading on the abiding Comforter to
some Christian of wavering faith, and cheer him by unfolding the
many and exceedingly precious promises which Jesus has left on
recordr elating to the amplitude and completeness of his provisions
for the conservation of our spiritual life. . . .
Daniel Steele in Mile-Stone Papers