How do we overcome?
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. ‘”
Revelation 12:11
The verse reveals a key to ability of overcoming. It is by “the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.” The blood covers all. It is the reason we are righteous and near to God—fully, finally, and forever. Jesus’s sacrifice was all sufficient.
Why then does this verse add “the word of our testimony”? Is the blood not enough?
As humans, we need help from the power of testimony to substantiate the word. Blood gave us access to God and made righteousness possible. Testimony turns that possibility into something we can grasp; and empower us. The testimony fuels hope and builds faith. The blood opens the way; testimony shows the way.
Jesus’ sacrifice legally opens the way. Sin is dealt with and the Father’s resources are available. What is stated in the word is our spiritual foundation. The blood brought access, provision, and authorization. The Word of testimony ushers in attainment, activation, and empowerment.
Demonstrated possibility catalyzes personal attainability.
We draw from the testimonies of those before us. We have the Old Testament. The Old Testament provides living examples and models for instruction, equipping, and warning (Corinthians 10:11). Those great stories of faith belong to us now. According to Psalm 119:111, those testimonies are our heritage. A heritage is property that descends to an heir. Like an heir receiving a priceless estate, we inherit these narratives. They show us what is possible—what life is supposed to look like.
David used his testimony to overcome a very big challenge—Goliath. He reminded himself and Israel that the same Lord who enabled him to strike down a lion and a bear would deliver this Philistine as well (1 Sam. 17:36-37). For himself, he established personal credibility by the victory against the lion and bear.
However, the Lord had still handed victory over to the Israelites, whether or not David fought the animals. Goliath still defied the Lord of hosts. And for that reason, he was delivered into David’s hands. David did not need the testimony of the lions and bears, but he still used it to his empowerment.
The nature of testimony guides our imaginations. For example, for decades the four-minute mile was considered a physiological impossibility—until Roger Bannister broke it in 1954. Once he proved the barrier was conquerable, dozens of runners soon followed. Stories like his turn abstract limits into concrete targets. Testimony is inherited momentum.
If it can be done, it can be done.
Hearing or sharing real life stories converts theory to something tangible and repeatable.
Leave a comment