“…because ye have overcome the wicked one….” (1 John 2:13b)

The Direction of the overcomer is his performance of Christ’s Commandments; the doing of His Word.

The text verse reveals that the people John calls “young men” (or the strong children of God) have “overcome” (or to say, they have had the victory over) “the wicked one” (or the devil); the devil being the arch adversary of God and of God’s people. But John said that the young men had overcome the arch enemy of God in the power of God.

The “How” they accomplished this overcoming of the wicked one, is because they are born of God; they believe that Jesus is God; and they know that Eternal Life (or Christ) lives, or dwells, in them. Therefore, they have the Power of God living in them; which gives them the Power to “overcome” the devil (sin and all its evil and wicked schemes and ways).

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). Paul also wrote, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

John concludes in 1 John:

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5)

It is not our faith, but it is The Faith, who is Christ, living in us; which becomes then our faith, since He dwells in us. Therefore Paul can say:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Therefore, “How” we overcome is in Christ and through Christ. The “Who” and the “How” that a Child of God is an “overcomer” is Christ. Our sufficiency is only through and by Christ (2 Corinthians 3:5). Christ is the Power of God, “…Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24b).

However, as God moves in us and through us – “How” is it worked out in the believer’s life? What are the specific responses in the regenerated man’s life? Or better stated, describe the attitude and actions of the Child of God as he is an overcomer daily; over self, sin, and the deception and deceitfulness of the old man, or the flesh, wherein Paul says dwells sin (Romans 7:15-24). The Direction is to describe the motive and actual works of faith worked out in an overcomer’s life.

We have seen the “How” and the “Who” (Jesus Christ). But now, note the “What”; the actual doing of God’s Word daily, as the saint walks in this world. Or, what happens in a saint’s life that labels him an overcomer over the devil or this world? In what manner does an overcomer “do” all His Commandments?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

“This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:38)

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39)

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:40)

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:24)

In what manner do we keep the Commandments of Love?

First, the Motive: “If ye love me…” (John 14:15a).

1)    The First Step is to love Christ. This is the principle. To love Christ; His Love must first be implanted, or given to you, by the Holy Spirit in Regeneration:

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5)

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16)

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:17)

2)    Second, when you love God, you surrender yourself, totally and completely (in body, soul, and spirit) to God as your Authority, Master, Creator; as your Savior

3)    Third, you understand that He is your Father and you are His son; you know of the relationship (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:5-6).

4)    Fourth, you must not only surrender to God, you must also submit to His Word as the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

So you must first love Christ.

Second: the Movement: “…keep my commandments.” (John 14:15b)

1)    “Keep”; that is, be not only a “hearer,” but a “doer” of God’s Word; that is you must obey.

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

2)    “Keep”; means to guard and secure and maintain.

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:21)

3)    “Keep”; also means to “do”; it implies action, an active response; called “works” of faith (James 2:14-26).

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10)

So here we have the Second Step. First, you must love God (Relationship); but second comes action, or works (Response).

Third: the Manner:

1)    First, love God (Matthew 22:37) – this is the Practice; which is proven by your works, your fruits, your actions toward men;

2)    Which is the second part (Matthew 22:39), “…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (first, or supremely).” This love is “agape” love; a love of purpose and of sacrifice. (See 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.)

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” (1 Corinthians 13:4)

“Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;” (1 Corinthians 13:5)

“Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;” (1 Corinthians 13:6)

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)

You are to love as Christ loved us, “as I have loved you.” How did Christ love us? Totally and completely – proven on the Cross in His Atonement. (Read 1 John 4:9-11.)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1 John 3:14)

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15)

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17)

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

Therefore, we are to walk as he walked (1 John 2:4-6); we are to love as He loved, totally and completely, “as thyself” (Matthew 22:39).

This is manifested in the bearing of the Fruit of the Spirit toward not only God, but toward others.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23a)

3)    Thirdly, “…keep thyself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22c)

(See Psalms 119:4, 69; Proverbs 8:32)

How you keep yourself pure is:

1)    First, be holy (1 Peter 1:14-16; Ephesians 5:3-12):

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:” (1 Peter 1:14)

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;” (1 Peter 1:15)

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;” (Ephesians 5:3)

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:4)

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:5)

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:6)

“Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” (Ephesians 5:7)

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” (Ephesians 5:8)

“(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)” (Ephesians 5:9)

“Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10)

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Ephesians 5:11)

“For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” (Ephesians 5:12)

Be holy in body and in spirit:

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

In body:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)

“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”  (1 Peter 4:2)

“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:” (1 Peter 4:3)

In spirit:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:” (2 Corinthians 10:3)

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21)

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

“And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:15)

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16)

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

“And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)

Walk in the world, but be not of the world in attitude, actions, and attire. Your worship, praise and adoration is to God and Him alone.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)

2)    Second, walk in peace:

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14)

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:18)

Follow David’s advice:

“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” (Psalms 141:3)

And follow James’ advice, which includes the tongue:

“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” (James 3:2) (Read verses 3-18)

3)    Thirdly, walk full of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Revealer, our Convicter, our Guide and Teacher, and the Power to see and to perform.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” (Ephesians 5:18)

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Ephesians 5:19)

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Ephesians 5:20)

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21)

4)    Fourth, be stedfast:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

This last step is to “endure” unto the end. Be constant and be faithful to the end of your course (2 Timothy 4:7). The soldier in God’s army can never stop; never come off the wall; but be stedfast, immoveable (Hebrews 3:14). You must walk in Patience to endure (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).

Therefore, the Principle is Love (God’s Love of Will and Purpose – toward God and toward the Brethren). The Practice is to keep thyself Pure (in body, soul, and spirit) by walking in Holiness and Peace, and being filled with the Holy Spirit; and enduring unto the end.

This is the Direction of the overcomer. When these things are present and active in the believer’s life, then he is an Overcomer.