OVERCOMING PART 5 - THE WORLD
- Dr B.J. Stagner
- Sep 25, 2025
- 4 min read
“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)
Every day, Christians face a powerful adversary: the world. The “world” in Scripture does not simply mean the planet we inhabit but the system of values, priorities, and desires that stands opposed to God. The Apostle John warns us in 1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”
The world promises happiness through wealth, status, or pleasure. Yet studies show that nations with the highest levels of consumerism often report the lowest levels of contentment. For example, despite enormous prosperity, the UK consistently ranks among the top ten nations for reported anxiety and stress (OECD, 2022). Clearly, the world cannot satisfy.
But the good news is this: victory is possible. John declares that whoever is born of God overcomes the world. The Greek word for “overcome” (nikao) means “to conquer, to gain victory.” It is the same root as “Nike,” symbolising triumph. The Christian life is not about defeat, compromise, or assimilation—it is about victory through Christ.
John lays out three key truths:
“Whatsoever is born of God” – The victory begins with new birth. A man may reform his habits, discipline his mind, or improve his circumstances, but unless he is born again (John 3:3), he cannot overcome the world. The new nature resists the world’s corruption.
“Overcometh the world” – This is not future tense; it is present reality. Believers are not called merely to endure until heaven but to live in present victory.
“This is the victory … even our faith” – Faith is the means. Faith is not wishful thinking; it is active trust in Christ’s finished work. We overcome the world not by sheer willpower, but by anchoring ourselves to the One who already overcame (John 16:33).
Overcoming the world requires some work ourselves, Romans 12:2 offers the formula we can follow to victorious against the world: “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.” This is a choice you make.
To assist in not being conformed to this world, we are to set our affection on things above as we read in Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Jesus has already concluded who and what we are because of Him in John 17:16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
If we are not to be conformed to this world, it will be done so by choosing to be transformed, by setting our affections on things which are above because we are not of this world as Jesus Christ is not of this world.
In the early church, Roman culture pressed Christians to conform—to worship Caesar, embrace immorality, and abandon the exclusivity of Christ. Yet ordinary believers resisted, often at the cost of their lives. They overcame not with armies but with faith. Tertullian famously declared: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
In modern times, missionary Jim Elliot wrote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Though killed by the very people he sought to reach, his faith-inspired sacrifice inspired generations. He overcame the pull of worldly security by clinging to eternal reward.
What Is The Nature of the World?
The Bible identifies three avenues by which the world tempts us (1 John 2:16):
The lust of the flesh – desires that appeal to sinful appetites.
The lust of the eyes – covetousness and greed for what we see.
The pride of life – ambition for status, power, and recognition.
These three traps ensnared Eve in the garden, tempted Israel in the wilderness, and assaulted Christ in the desert. They continue today—through advertising, social media, and cultural pressure.
How to Overcome the World:
Through New Birth
Victory begins at salvation. Without being born again, the pull of the world is irresistible. With Christ, the chains are broken.
Through Faith
John declares faith as the weapon of victory. Faith sees beyond what the world offers to what Christ promises. Hebrews 11 is filled with men and women who, by faith, refused worldly compromise.
Through Renewal of the Mind
Romans 12:2 calls us to transformation. The world seeks to squeeze us into its mold, but Scripture reshapes our thinking. Daily Bible intake is essential to resist worldly patterns.
Through Separation
2 Corinthians 6:17 commands believers to be separate. Overcoming does not mean isolation but distinction—living differently in values, priorities, and choices.
Through Fellowship
The world isolates, but the church strengthens. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us not to forsake assembling. Fellowship builds resilience against cultural compromise.
The world system is strong, but it is not undefeatable. Every billboard, song, or trend whispers, “Conform.” But the believer answers, “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).
Research shows that Christians who actively participate in church life and spiritual disciplines are far more resilient against cultural pressure. A Barna study (2020) revealed that believers who read Scripture four or more times weekly were 228% more likely to resist immoral cultural behaviours compared to those who rarely read it. Faith practices are not luxuries—they are survival tools.
Practical Steps to Overcome the World
Guard your influences—be mindful of what you consume in media.
Prioritise heavenly rewards over earthly recognition.
Surround yourself with believers who sharpen your faith.
Speak truth boldly, even when culture mocks or resists.
Our Closing Challenge
The world may look powerful, but it is passing away (1 John 2:17). The Christian, born of God and walking by faith, is already on the winning side. Our victory is not in ourselves but in Christ who said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.” – Corrie Ten Boom
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