The Overcomer’s Toolbox (Part 3)
Passage: Revelation 12:10-12
Focus: “And they overcame him . . . and because of the word of their testimony . . .” (v. 11)
NOTE: This is the third in a four-part series on the tools God has given us to overcome the work of Satan in our lives. Part 4 will appear in the July newsletter.
Where we’ve been . . . Satan has three basic tools: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life” (I John 2:16). He also tries to discourage by accusing us when we fail. He is, “the accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10). God provides three tools to resist Satan: And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life, even when faced with death’” (Rev. 12:11). The first tool is our relationship with Jesus. The blood of the Lamb saves, secures, and sustains us.
Tool #2—“The word of their testimony”: Prosecutors often must depend on “circumstantial evidence.” When no one has seen the incident, the prosecutor has to build a case based on circumstances that, when taken together, provide proof, “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This is possible, but it is difficult. It is much easier to convince a skeptical juror when someone boldly steps to the witness stand and says, “I saw it all; here is what happened.”
The character, greatness, authority, and even the very existence of God is on trial in our society. Many deny His reality, while others say, if He does exist, He cannot be known. Satan stokes this unbelief with pride and a desire within the human heart to be our own god.
There is enough circumstantial evidence in the creation to demonstrate God’s existence and sovereignty. Paul wrote, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made so they are without excuse (Rom. 1:19-20). No one will be able to use a lack of evidence as a defense when they stand before God. That being said . . . it is easier for someone to accept the truth of God’s Word when they have firsthand testimony from a witness.
The “word of our testimony” is our bold declaration of how Jesus saved and transformed us—and it is powerful! Our experience with God gives us strong evidence to share with the lost and ammunition to defeat the enemy. When Satan seeks to discourage and dissuade, we are equipped to fight back as Jesus did (Matt. 4:4-10). Satan will one day face Jesus as prosecutor, star witness, jury, judge, and executioner! Until then, the word of our own firsthand experience with the Master blunts his arrows.
There are two aspects to the word of our testimony: a living word and a spoken word. Often these are put at odds with each other. Some say, “I don’t need to talk about Jesus, my life will do my talking.” Others act like their words are so powerful their conduct does not matter. Both are wrong!
If we want others to believe our testimony and deflect Satan’s arrows, we must live like Jesus. But, if you think a well-lived life replaces a boldly spoken testimony, you are mistaken.
Imagine a lawyer brings a video of his star witness into the courtroom. “Here is a tape of my witness feeding the poor, helping with flood relief, and caring for refugees, but he really doesn’t want to say anything.” The judge would rule him out of order. While the life of the witness helps determine his or her credibility, it is the spoken testimony that provides the evidence the jury needs to decide the case.
Walking doesn’t replace talking. Talking doesn’t excuse not walking. It is not enough to just “walk the walk” or “talk the talk.” We overcome the work of the enemy in our life and in the lives of others when we are “walkie-talkies”!
Next month . . . we will look at Tool #3—“They did not love their life, even when faced with death.”