As overcomers, there are three areas we will face: the world, the flesh, and the devil!
Jesus spoke in John chapter 7:
7 The world can’t hate you, but it does Me, for I am exposing their evil deeds.
The Greek word for world is kosmos (Strong’s #2889) and it denotes “the earth in contrast to the heavens.” “The world” is often referred to as “mankind in general,” “the human race,” or “the sum and total of temporal possessions.” It essentially means the present conditions of human affairs in opposition to God’s affairs. It includes worldly riches, endowments, advantages, and pleasures. The main thing to remember is that the world operates by the senses.
Jesus provides us with the perfect example: the rich young ruler.
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 19:
21 Jesus said to him, “If you really want to be perfect, go now and sell everything you own. Give your money to the poor and your treasure will be transferred into heaven. Then come back and follow Me for the rest of your life.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad for he had a great many possessions. This rich young ruler lacked the faith to surrender everything in which he trusted. In other words, He loved the world first.
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The Beloved Disciple wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st John chapter 2:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Love of the Father is not in him.
6 For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
The lust of flesh––a strong and sometimes uncontrollable desire for fleshly pleasures: sex, drugs, alcohol, gluttony, or any other physical pleasure. The lust of the flesh is an ungodly passion that tends toward evil. These are some of the things that we “naturally” desire and love before the Lord.
The lust of eyes––a strong and often uncontrollable desire for: wealth, possessions, fame, position, control, vanity, or beauty. It’s the love of material things. Again, these are things we naturally desire before the Lord.
The pride of life––a total inability to see beyond oneself. It’s the height of arrogance and self-sufficiency. This is a person who is totally into himself: what he does, the money he makes and the people he influences—no one else is important. It refers to someone who is totally consumed with self and puts his own cares, his own career, and his own future before God and others.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Galatians chapter 6:
14 May my only boast be found in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. In him I have been crucified to this natural realm (world); and the natural realm (world) is dead to me and no longer dominates my life.
We must be the ones who constantly choose not to succumb to those three areas of the world. This means that we must not only rely upon the power of God in us to overcome, but we must also have the faith that He will.
The Beloved Disciple also wrote in 1st John chapter 5:
4 You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world.
5 So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Applied faith is the key to overcoming the world!