Purpose: Our desire is to explore the “Secret to being an Overcomer.” We will look at the tools used by the different individuals God raised up as “Deliverers” to free his people from under the bondage of “the world, the flesh and the devil.”

Overcoming the World - Judges 3: 5-11

The Condition of the People (Vs. 5 – 7)

• The people of God defiled themselves with their associations with the ungodly nations around them.

God’s Discipline / Response to Israel (V. 8)

• God’s anger was “hot” against Israel
• God “sold” them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim
  • Israel served Cushan-rishathaim 8 years in bondage

A Deliverer raised up to deliver Israel? (V. 9)

• And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer
• God raised up a man to deliver them; Othniel; “the lion of God/ power of God”
• Othniel judged the people. What does this mean? Why was this necessary?

The Method used to overcome Cushan-rishathaim, King of Mesopotamia? (V.10)

• Othniel judged the people. What does this mean? Why was this necessary?
• Othniel went to war?

The Result of Overcoming “the World” (V. 11)

• Rest for 40 years.
• Othniel died.

Overcoming the Flesh - Judges 3: 12-30

The Condition of the People (V 12) Israel, God’s people had become complacent, carless, trusting in themselves and Othniel’s leadership. When all that changed their rest and conduct changed too.

• “Again” they did evil in the sight of Jehovah.

God’s Discipline / Response to Israel (Vs. 12-14)

• Served Eglon 18 years – Servitude to the flesh - time wasted.
• The Children of Israel cried unto the Lord (vs. 15). They confessed their sins.

A Deliverer raised up to deliver Israel? (V. 15)

• The Children of Israel cried unto the Lord. They confessed their sins.
• The Lord raised up a deliverer, Ehud.

The Method used to overcome Eglon, King of Moab? (V. 15-22)

• Ehud was a Benjamite, a man left-handed.
• Ehud used a “dagger” to thrust through the belly of Eglon.

The Result of Overcoming “the Flesh” (Romans 6:6 – 14)

• Deliverance “escaped” (V. 26)
• Ehud blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim. (V. 27)

Overcoming the Devil - Judges 4:1-24

The Condition of the People Israel, God’s people were again disobedient after Ehud died (V.1)

• “Again” they did evil in the sight of Jehovah (vs. 12) – What is wrong with them?

God’s Discipline / Response to Israel

• They were “sold” into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan
• The Children of Israel cried unto the Lord. They confessed their sins. (V. 3)

A Deliverer raised up to deliver Israel?

• The Lord raised up a deliverer, Deborah, (Vs. 4, 5)
  • Deborah, names means “the word, living word”
  • Wife of Lapidoth, means “flaming torch or light”
  • Dwelt under the palm tree between Ramah (inheritance) and Bethel (house of God)
    • The Word of God – I John 2:14 – You have overcome “the wicked one.”
    • The “light” (illuminates) of the Word of God – Psalm 199:130

The Method used to overcome Jabin, King of Canaan?

• Relying on the Word of God is the tool and the formula for victory over the devil
• Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite
  • A woman – the enemy unsuspecting of her (Vs.9, 17-22)
  • Her name means “climbing or rising” implies a heavenly minded person
• The tent nail and the hammer – the Word of God in action
  • The tent nail
    • It is small and insignificant (weakness) – I Corn.1: 27
    • Powerful in God’s hand – little becomes much in the Master’s hand
  • The Word of God - a Hammer - casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God … II Corin.10: 5; Psalm 119:105
    • Driven (decisive blow) through the temple (intellect of devil/ man)
    • The renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:1,2)

The Result of Using the Word of God in Overcoming “the Devil”

• Deliverance “He died” (V. 22) (Rom. 16:20)
• Come I will show you (V. 22) (Matt.12: 29) – open display
• God subdued Jabin (the devil) (V. 24)
• Israel prospered and prevailed against Jabin (V. 24)
• They destroyed Jabin, King of Canaan (V.24)
• Rest for 40 years (Judges 5:31; Heb.4: 9).