THE LIFESTYLE OF AN OVERCOMER rev. funke ewuosho

You are not helpless! You are not a victim! You are not a failure! More than ever before, we need to embrace the lifestyle of an overcomer. John 16:33 says, ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ In this transformational message, Rev. Funke shares 16 valuable truths about the lifestyle we should lead in order to be overcomers.

1John 5:4-5 (NIV) says, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

In Christ, you are an overcomer, through the blood of Jesus. Nothing that may confront you can overcome you!

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT MARK THE LIFESTYLE OF AN OVERCOMER?

1. FAITH

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

Everything should be by faith! Faith is not faith until it affects your daily speaking and daily action.

2. LIVING BY THE WORD

Let the Word of God be the final authority in your life. Any experience or situation that you are going through that doesn’t line up with the Word of God, don’t believe it. Spend time fellowshipping with the Word, in worship and in prayer.

3. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

1 John 1:3 (NIV) says, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

What are the different ways of fellowshipping with God?

- Regular prayers of fellowship

- Meditating on the Word

- Worshipping God regularly

4. LIVING AN ANXIETY, WORRY, AND CARE-FREE LIFESTYLE

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

5. GUARD YOUR THOUGHTS

It’s your responsibility as a believer! Philippians 4:8 (NIV) says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

6. KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM SPEAKING EVIL AND FROM NEGATIVITY

1 Peter 3:9-10 (NIV) says, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”

7. WALKING IN LOVE

Offences can hinder your prayers. Faith works by love.

Galatians 5:6 (NIV) says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

8. GUARD YOUR HEART

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) says, “Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.”

The gates to the heart include:

- Mouth gate: what you say affects your heart.

- Ear gate: avoid listening to perverse talk.

- Eye gate: behold God’s Word and observe to do accordingly.

9. BE FOCUSED

Be focused on God who called you; be focused on the Word; be focused on the race set before you.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Overcomers are focused people!

10. THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

11. BE SPIRIT-LED AND CONTROLLED

Romans 8:12-14 (NIV) says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV) says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

The Holy Spirit motivates, regulates, and guides. Always stay sensitive to the Spirit.

12. WARFARE

Being vigilant in the spirit means being watchful and prayerful.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

13. JOY AND REJOICING

Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV) says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

14. GIVING

Proverbs 3:27-28 (NIV) says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.”

15. DILIGENCE AND HARD WORK

Proverbs 10:4-5 (NIV) says, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

16. NEVER GIVE UP Luke 18:1 (NIV) says, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

Study notes taken from Rev. Funke Ewuosho’s message, ‘The Lifestyle of an Overcomer”.