Sparkling Gems from the Greek - Week of June 3
Darkness Cannot Overcome the Light!
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
- John 1:5
I know of no great Christian leader who hasn't faced some kind of opposition as he or she sought to do God's will. But the truth is that darkness does not have the power to overcome light! Every believer can overcome any attack if he or she won't quit first!
John 1:5 says, "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." The word "comprehended" is the Greek word katalambano. It is a compound of the words kata and lambano. The word kata carries the force of something that is dominating or subjugating. The word lambano means to seize or grab hold of. When the two words are compounded, they mean to seize, to pull down, to tackle, to conquer, or to hold under one's power. Therefore, this verse could be translated, "Darkness does not have the ability to suppress or to hold the light under its domain."
This doesn't mean that darkness won't attempt to overcome the light. However, its efforts will be frustrated and unsuccessful because the light of God always prevails, even in what seems to be the darkest hour or the bleakest situation. Darkness simply doesn't have the power or ability to put out God's light. Since you are a child of the light (Ephesians 5:8), this means darkness doesn't have the ability to put out your light either!
First John 5:4 says, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." The word "overcometh" is the Greek word nikos. It means to conquer. It was used to portray athletes who had gained the mastery of the competition and ultimately reigned supreme as champions over the games.
The Holy Spirit was careful in His selection of this word nikos. This word communicates vivid images that pertain to our walk of faith and victory. First, it tells us that when we begin the walk of faith, we enter into a real-life competition. The decision to walk by faith puts us right smack dab in the center of the ring where the contest immediately begins.
This is so important to understand, because too often we wrongly presume that if we walk by faith, we will be removed from all problems. But our faith pits us directly opposite the devil's powers. He hates our faith because he knows what it can do! For this reason, Satan may try to go for a knock-out punch. But even if he knocks us flat, he can't keep us down on the ground!
The apostle Paul testified to this when he said that he was "…cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:9). One translation says, "We occasionally get knocked down, but never get knocked out!" Those who are born of God have the supernatural ability to keep getting up again, no matter how many times they fall! Remember, John wrote, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.…"
Because the word "overcometh" is the Greek word nikos, it tells us that we are the ultimate champions and describes our superior position as children of God over the world. We are fully armed with everything we need to be super-conquerors in this life!
As the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), the devil may try to use the world around us to do battle with us. But regardless of what weapon Satan uses or how he attempts to combat you and me, First John 5:4 declares that we have a faith that overcomes the world! This means we have a faith that overrides and supersedes any organization, any event, any circumstance, or any difficult dilemma Satan would try to employ against us. He may be the "god of this world," but we have a weapon so powerful that we can shoot him down every time he shows up uninvited.
John 1:5 makes it absolutely clear that darkness does not have the ability to suppress or to hold the light under its domain. Darkness may try to prevent the light from shining, but it never holds back the light permanently. Eventually it always comes shining through.
This is true of you and your dream, vision, or calling as well. You may feel hindered from time to time in your attempts to fulfill the call God has given you, but don't despair. Those hindrances won't last long. The only way the devil can steal your dream, vision, or calling is if you surrender to him first! If you hold on and refuse to give up, your faith will overcome every encumbrance the devil tries to set in your path!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, I thank You that darkness doesn't have the power to overcome me! It may try, but Your Word guarantees that darkness doesn't have the ability to overcome the light! I am so thankful that I am Your child and that I live on the winning side! When the devil tries to discourage me, help me remember that in the end, we win!
I pray this in Jesus' name!
MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY
I boldly confess that even if I occasionally get knocked down, I never get knocked out! I possess the supernatural ability to keep getting up again because I am born of God and I overcome the world. Regardless of what weapon Satan uses or how he attempts to combat me, my faith overrides and supersedes any event, any circumstance, and any difficult dilemma Satan would try to employ against me.
I declare this by faith in Jesus' name!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
- In what ways has Satan tried to use the world around you to hinder what God has called you to do? For instance, has he tried to create a lack of finances to slow you down? What unsuccessful attempts has he made against you and your dream?
- What did you do to resist those past attacks?
- If you sense that the devil is trying to assault you right now, in what ways are you resisting his assaults?
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