No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37NIV

Each day, most of my time is spent taking care of my 2 precious little boys. Connor is 4 and Bryce is 2 and they keep me quite busy…pretty much the entire day! There are some wonderful moments that I cherish, but there are plenty of not so wonderful moments too! My boys are at the age where they may play nicely together or all hell breaks loose when one child takes a toy from the other. I find myself often times officiating these outbreaks to try and keep the peace!

These daily disagreements don’t just occur between my boys but between me and the boys as well. This is where I have learned to pick and choose my battles! I may battle when Bryce hits Connor but I may not battle when Connor doesn’t want to wear what I have set out for him. I may battle when one child is in danger but I may not battle when one dumps his toys across the room that I have just picked up. I may battle when Connor says “No” to me when I have asked him to do something, but I may not battle when Bryce runs away from me when I am trying to change his diaper!

If I battle every little thing with my kids during my day, I would not be writing this blog and would guarantee that you wouldn’t want to be around me. That’s for sure!

The bible also shares with us that we are not to fight all the battles that come before us. God says in 2 Chronicles 2:15: Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Oh yes! The battles will come! Some for the Lord to fight on our behalf and some for us to fight!

So what about the battles that we have to fight?

We may have big battles to fight or small battles to fight. They may be quick short battles or long and draining battles.

We may battle fear, anxiety, insecurity, pressures, addictions, sin, and relational dysfunction. We may battle with our spouses, our children, our families, our friends and many times battle with ourselves. It may be a battle of our own mind, will, and emotions.

So once we have determined we have a battle to fight, what does the bible say?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors [we overwhelming conquer NASB] through him who loved us. Romans 8:37NIV

In the book of Romans, when Paul said that we are more than conquerors, he was writing to people who had lost friends, property, and family because of Christ. Eventually, some were tortured and some were put to death.

Our circumstances may not be as harsh as theirs, but they are harsh enough to where we sometimes feel defeated. We sometimes feel like we have been conquered. We sometimes want to just give up and surrender. We may feel tired, worn out, flat out exhausted.  We just may not want to fight anymore because we feel emotionally, physically, mentally, and even spiritually defeated! But even in our own circumstances, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!

I absolutely love this scripture! When I don’t feel that I can get through a battle in my life, I remind myself of these encouraging words. To capture a greater understanding of this scripture, I am going to break it down for you and for me!

No, in all these things…this is an answer to the scriptures that precede Romans 8:37.  Therefore we must see what question is being asked in Romans 8:35-36.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long;we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.  Romans 8:35-36 NIV

Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Romans 8:35-36 AMP

By examining these scriptures in 2 different versions of the bible, we can see that “…in all these things” means the difficulties and battles we may face in life. One commentary says “we are more than conquerors; not only over sin and Satan, but the world, the reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions of it.” [Commentary-Gill’s Exposition]

“In all these things” also means…in the very midst of them; while we are enduring them. Therefore, we are more than conquerors while we are going through these difficulties/ battles…not just at the end when we have overcome them.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:57

We are more than conquerors…First note that it says “we are” present tense. That means we are…like right now “more than a conqueror” not “we will be” or “we are going to be” once we get through our battle.

Also, we aren’t just conquerors… “we are more than conquerors.” We don’t just conquer…“we overwhelmingly conquer.” What does this mean?

The word “to conquer” comes from the Greek base word “nikao” which can also be translated as “to overcome, to prevail, or to be victorious.” But in Romans 8:37, there is a prefix which deepens and strengthens the meaning of the word. The prefix is huper which means “over.” That is to say, literally, “we over conquer.” That is why the NASB says “we overwhelmingly conquer”, and also why many other translations say that “we are more than conquerors.”

Through him … This means through Christ’s strength and power, not our own.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 KJ (2000)

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9 NIV

Who loved us…This demonstrates Christ’s love for us…“who has loved us, still loves us, and whose love engages his power to stand by us and protect us against all our enemies.” [Commentary- Gill’s Exposition]

Ok, so what does this scripture mean for us? Conquering is one thing but what does it mean to be more than a conqueror?

I believe being more than a conqueror is not just fighting the battle and having victory but also keeping your victory…Continuing to live victoriously!

How do we continue to live victoriously?

1)      Believe that you are victorious…The enemy will try to bring doubt immediately after your victory. He will make you think that you really didn’t win the battle and that you will not continue to be victorious. Push these doubts out of your mind and KNOW that you have the victory!

2)      Read and use God’s word as your sword to fight.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11NIV

3)      Remind yourself that you have Jesus living inside of you which is far more powerful than Satan in the world.

You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.1 John 4:4 HCSB

4)      Accountability- Rely on other Christians to encourage you and help you stay strong in keeping your victory.

5)      Being prepared… Have specific scriptures ready just in case you face the same battle. That way you won’t have to battle through it again or at least you will be prepared because you are ready with God’s word.

Be encouraged! We may have battles to fight while we are here on this earth but the war has already been won…by our Lord Jesus Christ!

Reflection Points:

1)      Are you battling right now? Are you tired and worn out from fighting this battle?

2)      Is the battle yours to fight or the Lord’s?

3)      If the battle is yours, how are you focusing and leaning on God and being “more than a conqueror?”

 Action Points:

1)      Determine if your battle is yours or the Lord’s to fight.  If you aren’t sure then pray and ask the Lord to give you clarity and direction.

2)      If the battle is yours to fight, then make sure the Lord is in your battle with you. Keep praying and leaning on him for His power and strength to get through.

3)      Don’t let previous unsuccessful battles discourage you from receiving victory over your present battle.

4)      Keep your victory!…See list above on how to continue to live victoriously!