Overcoming The World

Overcoming The World

In the last line of John 16:33, Jesus emphatically states that He has overcome the world! We, as Christians very often take this statement for granted. Most just casually assume that it must refer to Jesus personal triumph over the natural temptations and troubles of this world.

But Jesus statement of “Overcoming the World” entails far more than merely prevailing over temptations and worldly troubles! Jesus announcement that He has “Overcome the World” is a claim of absolute victory over the nature of this world and the god of this world!

First, let’s define what is meant by the term “World” as utilized here by Jesus, and indeed throughout the entire Bible. The Bible depicts the “World” as being under the dominion of Satan, as being under a natural curse, and possessing a natural enmity towards the Creator God!

The Nature of the World

Several verses highlight the Biblical perspective of the benign nature of this World; as opposed to the ways of Almighty God!

 I Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

James 4:4 know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

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

I Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God;

And so, it should be readily apparent, even to the novice reader of scripture that “the present world system” and the powers that dominate the world are totally contrary to the righteous character of God. 

Thus, when God sent his Son into our fallen, evil world, Jesus was in effect, existent within the domain of enemy territory! No wonder then that Jesus proclaimed that “the World hated him!” (John 15:18, 24)

The Lost Dominionship 

In the Beginning, yea, even from the very outset of creation, God granted an earthly “Dominion” over his creation to mankind. Unfortunately, this “Dominion” was lost by mankind, and usurped away from him by our great adversary, Satan. 

Dominionship is defined as the “subjugation” of a people or place, and maintaining a position of rulership over. Therefore, ever since the fall of man; Satan has exercised “dominionship” over the whole world! In fact, the Bible portrays Satan as the “Prince of this present World.” (John 12:31, 16:11)

Notwithstanding, when we read of the "world" in the New Testament, we are reading of the Greek word cosmos. Cosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, and which functions apart from God. And Satan is even a ruler of the "cosmos,” (space) and directing the course of this World, as depicted in the book of Ephesians. 

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

The Worldly Powers that Jesus Overcame

Now, upon rereading the wonderful words of Jesus Christ, within the complete context of his farewell address to his Disciples, it is incumbent upon us to analyze exactly what and how he “Overcame the World.”

The Greek word “nikao” translated “overcome” means “to defeat, to win a victory over, as in a contest or military conflict.” And when Jesus said that he had “overcome the world,” it was in fact in the truest sense, a total and complete victory in a “War instigated in Heaven” by Satan ages ago.

Point # 1 Jesus “overcame” the God / ruler of this present world. (Satan) By finishing the ordained plan of restitution and payment for sin, Jesus sacrificial death upon the Cross made it spiritually possible for mankind to overcome our “subjugated” status to Satan’s dominion. Christ’s victory over Satan is total, and when Jesus returns to this world, Satan will be cast out and lose his dominion. (John 12:31) 

Point # 2 Jesus Overcame the Curses upon the World! Jesus is now entitled the “rights to reign” in this world and to bring about an era of restoration. By the spiritual fact that Jesus overcame the world, so too can we, if we let the spirit of God reign in our hearts and lives. (Acts 3:21, Titus 2:11-13; I John 2:14)

Point # 3 Jesus, via the power of his own death and resurrection “overcame the finality of worldly death;” and made it possible that mortal men in this world, might put on the immortality of the next world. (John 11:25, Philippians 3:10; I Corinthians 15:54; II Corinthians 5:1-4)

Point # 4 Jesus “Overcame” the hatred and the enmity of the world, through the Love of his Father! For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life! The world nature that hates God, ignorantly loves death. (John 16:27, I John 4:9-10,16) 

Point # 5 Jesus, by bringing a witness of the truth of God to this evil world, “Overcame the lies and the evil” nature of this present world. Jesus came as a light into a dark world, yet the natural world loves the darkness. (John 3:19-20, Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:2-7)

Point # 6 Jesus, being one with his Father, and in unity from a foreordained plan before the world was made, has “overcome the present evil world” and thereby become the righteous Judge of the World. (Psalms 96:13, 98:8, Acts 27:31)

Point # 7 There is a New World Coming! Yes, a world without evil, a world under the Dominion of Jesus Christ and a world without Satan! (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, II Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1) Without question, A new world is needed! This present world and its nature are corrupted. To inherit a life in that new world, we must needs become a new creature. (II Corinthians 5:17-18)

Benefits of Christ Overcoming the World

Christ’s victorious life and his  “Overcoming of the World” is multifaceted. Whereas Jesus overcame the world; so too can we, via the words and examples that he left unto us. 

First, He gives His followers peace to overcome their troubled hearts: Those who believe in Jesus Christ don’t have to live with anxious hearts but can experience the gift of His heavenly peace. He offers us hope and contentment in the power of his truth! (John 14:7)

Secondly, We, like Jesus can use the means of prayer to confide in God our deepest concerns and passions, while we struggle in this present world. (John 14:16) 

Thirdly, again by example of Jesus overcoming the world, we can overcome sin and temptation that this world entices us with. (Matthew 4:1-11)

“You” Can Overcome the World

By the simplest definition that the word world refers to a world system ruled by Satan, we as Christians can more readily appreciate Christ’s claims that believers are no longer of the world, and we are no longer ruled by sin, nor are we bound by the principles of this world, nor bound to the god of this present world! 

I John 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.

Focus on the Bible

by: Darrell G. Young

November 21, 2021