The Mind of an Overcomer

Rom 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

2 Tim 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

One of the villains in the Batman universe is Scarecrow. He is a psychologist and his greatest weapon is turning the mind against itself. Professor Crane (Scarecrow) said, ‘I respect the mind over the body.’ 

For a horse, if you control the head, you control the body.  This is true for your own mind, get control of your own mind and you will see changes.  

It all starts with the mind. 

“At the age of 18, I made up my mind to never have another bad day in my life. I dove into an endless sea of gratitude from which I’ve never emerged.” —Patch Adams MD

William James said, ‘Man can alter his life by altering his thinking.’

2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

In natural childbirth, it’s best if the head comes first. In the spiritual new birth, the mind comes first. As the mind goes, so goes the rest of you.

The mind of an overcomer is checked and isn’t burdened with sin. 

Eph 4:22-24 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Rom 8:5 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”

Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

‘You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you will have strength.’ —Marcus Arealius

Isa 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Realize we are not in control of what’s going on outside of us. We can’t control our circumstances, but we do have power over our own minds. Once we realize this, we will find strength. 

Worry is faith in God’s ability to fail.

Luke 12:22-30 “And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.”

Worry dominates the thoughts of unbelievers. 

Why do people panic-buy? It’s because they’re dominated by worry. 

We think we know what to do, but God DOES know. He knows what we really need.

Luke 12:31-32 “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

You will not run out because God is taking care of you. A little bread and a little fish will feed thousands. An overcoming mind knows that God is able.

Phil 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

You have the power to make a heaven of hell and a hell of heaven in your mind. You have a choice in what your attitude is. Will you have the mind of an overcomer? Will you focus on Jesus? on the Kingdom of God? on the good things? 

Job 1:20 “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

Job had EVERYTHING taken away, but he still chose to praise God. 

When faced with adversity, the mind of an overcomer doesn’t accept failure. Job grieved for awhile, but he didn’t stay there. 

If you beg God for your need and get it, you will beg God for the rest of your life. If you praise God for your need and you get it, you will praise Him for the rest of your life. 

Rom 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

These are not three wills of God. It’s one will—all good, acceptable, and perfect. 

You have got to get real with yourself and with God in order to test your own thoughts. If you want things to change, you’ve got to address those things that keep you from having the mind of an overcomer. There is an opportunity to hit the reset button and have the mind of an overcomer. It is your choice. 

Lord, try me and know my thoughts. 

The weapons of our warfare aren’t guns, but worship and praise. 

2 Cor 10:4-5 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

These ‘strongholds’ aren’t necessarily satanic, it’s also the fleshly strongholds in our minds. If we cast down those imaginations and seek God, we’ll have that mind of an overcomer. 

More Questions for Personal or Group Study:

1. What thoughts/attitudes do you need to challenge daily? 
2. How has this sermon challenged your thinking? Why? What do you need to change?
3. Read Psalm 118:1-9. What do these verses say about gratitude and trust? How can you apply this to your life? 
4. How can you reach out and bless someone else?

Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Michael Lagle. 

For the full YouTube audio/video, click here.