To conquer is to overcome and have dominion over a person, territory or kingdom. It therefore follows that a conqueror or over-comer is someone who has been able to defeat or overpower a person, territory or kingdom to the point of surrender. The word ‘conqueror’ is also a military term which describes a person who has come out victorious from a war or conflict situation. Who then is our adversary? The answer is found in Ephesians 6:12, which says:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Through this verse we understand that our greatest enemy is the devil and his kingdom. As mere mortals, it is absolutely impossible to consider overcoming the devil in any form of contest. However, we speak of being conquerors on the basis of God’s declaration concerning us in 1st John 4:4, which says that God in us is greater than anyone in the world. Furthermore, we have the confidence to confront our enemies because God’s Spirit assures us in Romans 8:31 that if God is for us, no one can successfully stand against us. Indeed, regardless of the challenges we face in life, we are more than conquerors through the love of Jesus (Romans 8:36-37). Obviously, Jesus is the ultimate conqueror and overcomer. He fought for us, and through His conquest, we are more than conquerors, having obtained victory over the devil without having to fight him.

The Bible records many examples of winners and conquerors, but the greatest of them all is our Lord Jesus Christ. He triumphed over the devil in two spectacular ways that are worthy of mention. Firstly, in Matthew 4;1-11, Jesus faced the devil in a most crucial contest of self control, knowledge, wisdom and power, but He overcame, giving the devil a technical knockout through the power of God’s word. Secondly, the devil masterminded the unwarranted arrest, orchestrated the sham trial, and inspired the wicked execution of our Lord, not knowing that Christ would totally destroy him through His subsequent death and resurrection (Hebrews 2:14, 1st Corinthians 2:7). Colossians 2:15 says,
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
When Jesus died, He went to hell, where He captured the devil and freed his captives. He paraded the devil and his cohorts in an open show of shame, confirming His supremacy over the kingdom of darkness. No matter how hopeless your situation may be or the fierceness of the battle against you, I decree that your enemies will be disgraced and you will be victorious, in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.