For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4).
What does it mean to overcome the world?
Life is a challenge. Many of you reading this have already walked through various traumas, trials, and tribulations The world is not an easy place to live in. There are temptations and threats to our physical and spiritual well-being everywhere we turn. In the Lord’s prayer, Christ prayed, “And deliver us from evil” (John 16:33).
As I understand, overcoming the world has something to do with overcoming the evil endemic therein.
It means not letting the evil in this world destroy our faith, take away our love for God and people, and transform us into something we were not created to be.
It can ruin your life only if it ruins your character. Otherwise it cannot harm you—inside or out.
Marcus Aurelius
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Overcoming the world obviously does not mean that we will ever stop walking through trials. If there were no adversity, then there would be nothing to overcome. Christ himself, when he uttered the words above, had yet to endure his trial of the cross.
What I think overcoming the world means is to come out on top of whatever darkness we encounter, morally and spiritually unscathed, just like Christ came out on top after the great darkness he endured.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27
Our religion, which is an expression of our faith, is about staying faithful and wholesome and avoiding the corruption and pollution that owe to the malignant forces present in the world.
Nobody is guaranteed a happy ending in life, except those who keep the faith.
