The lecture focuses on the phrase “He who overcomes” found in the Book of Revelation, affirming that the spiritual life is a continuous struggle and a constant battle against sin, the world, and the devil. Overcoming is not a distant dream but a divine invitation open to every person through God’s grace, provided that the believer participates with his own will and effort.

First: The meaning of overcoming in the spiritual life

His Holiness explains that a saint is a person who struggled and overcame. The triumphant church in heaven includes those who overcame, while the struggling church on earth walks in the path of victory. Since Christ said “He who overcomes,” this confirms that a real spiritual battle exists.

Second: Christ the Victor as the model and example

Christ is the One who overcame everything: He overcame temptation, the devil, the opponents, sin through redemption, and death through resurrection. Therefore, He leads believers “in the procession of His triumph” and grants the overcomers great heavenly promises such as eating from the Tree of Life, wearing white garments, and sitting with Him on His throne.

Third: Overcoming as a sign of inner strength

True overcoming is not overcoming others, but overcoming oneself. The weak person becomes angry and reacts, while the strong remains firm like a mountain, unaffected by insults or stumbling. Evil must not overcome a person; rather the person must overcome evil with good, as Scripture says.

Fourth: Biblical examples of overcomers

The Pope presents several examples:

• Abraham, who overcame fatherly feelings and natural instinct.

• Joseph, who overcame temptation.

• Daniel and the three youths, who overcame threats and death.

• Saint Athanasius, who overcame heresies and false teachings despite persecution.
  All of them overcame because God was with them and their will was steadfast.

Fifth: Overcoming begins from within

The sinner is “a person overcome by himself.” If the heart is strong, temptation cannot overcome it, and no wrong thought can enter it. The strong soul is “a closed garden,” not open to evil, and conquers thoughts and desires from the beginning before they grow into habits or nature.

Sixth: Means of spiritual overcoming

The Pope explains that overcoming happens through:

• Avoiding negative influences.

• Holding fast to the means of grace: prayer, meditation, the Bible, the lives of the saints, hymns, and self-examination.

• Watchfulness, precision, humility, and knowing one’s faults.

• Holding firm to the Word of God because it is “living and powerful,” confronting temptation as Christ did on the mountain.

Seventh: Struggling with grace and the love of God

Overcoming cannot be achieved without God, but God does not work without the human will. Therefore, one must struggle with grace and not be passive. When the love of God fills the heart, the believer becomes protected against sin, and the devil finds no place to enter or influence.

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