Overcome the world: What does it mean?

[tonychanyt]

After the last supper, John 16:

33 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.”

Jesus has overcome the world of tribulation.

Some years later, John expands this idea in 1 John 2:

14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

God in you enables you to overcome Satan in the world.

1 John 4:

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

the world of evil spirits and false prophets

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them,

Because you are from God, you have overcome those who are from Satan.

for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

God in you > Satan in the world

5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

Here comes the contrast:

6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this, we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

The world (Satan) is contrasted with God.

This theme continues in the next chapter 5:

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

We who have been born of God have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. In contrast, Satan is ruling the world by tribulations. The good news is that we have overcome the world of troubles and evil spirits by being born again. Love God and you will overcome the world.