The Life of Victory

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains in this lecture that life on earth is a life of struggle and a spirit of confrontation, and the believer is supposed to live as a victor and overcomer as Christ overcame the world. The lecture links Christ’s experience and the experiences of the holy fathers with the call for the believer to personal and spiritual victory.

Main idea

Christian life is a life of internal and external struggle; true victory begins with victory over the self, thoughts and passions, then expands to overcome trials and external enemies. Christ overcame and gives the power to overcome in us: “Without me you can do nothing.”

The spiritual and Coptic Orthodox educational dimension

From a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective, victory is not personal pride but sharing God in the war: God fights with us, and the Holy Spirit works in us by visitations and grace. Prophets and saints are practical examples showing that reliance on God and union with Him bear victory and eternal rewards mentioned in the Book of Revelation (crowns, tree of life, sitting with Christ).

Practical elements for application

• Always ask for God’s help and pray a strong prayer in which you ask to rely on His name.
• Make the Lord present in all your struggles and bring Him into your spiritual war: “the war is the Lord’s.”
• First overcome internally: make every thought a captive to the obedience of Christ, and turn thoughts into captive obedience.
• Keep a spiritual environment: read the lives of the saints, remember the promises, and write what affects you to return to it in weakness.
• Stay away from atmospheres that weaken you and mix with those who strengthen you spiritually.

Spiritual conclusion

True victory is to live a pure and holy life, an example and light to the world, and enjoy its fruits now and accumulate for you an eternal reward. The person who brings the Lord into his life and trusts in His presence does not fear, because he stands in the power of God. Ask the Lord to make you overcome your self first; if you overcome inside you will overcome outside, and the Lord promises the overcomers rewards and everlasting love.

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