The Non-Overcomers

What comes to mind when you hear the name Igal? I do not think any Bible story comes to your memory. But if I tell you that he was the son of Joseph, we may begin carefully searching our memories for all the familiar heroes of faith bearing similar names and, since none of them had a son named Igal, ask for more information. And when I tell you that this man was from the tribe of Issachar, some of you will remember that these were men who had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. We read about this in 1 Chronicles 12:32. But the name Igal is not mentioned among these wise men. Then, with the help of a concordance, we quickly find the fascinating story of this man.

And if I mention the name Gaddiel, the son of Sodi, from the tribe of Zebulun, you are unlikely to guess where the Bible speaks about this man.

But I can add other names to this list: Shammua, Shaphat, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, and Geuel. I do not think you have encountered such names in ordinary life, with people giving them to their children. Nor have these men occupied any place in our memory, and after reading this chapter you may forget them forever. Why? Because these are the names of non-overcomers, upon whom God’s curse is fulfilled—that the names of such people will be blotted out from under heaven (Deuteronomy 29:20; Psalm 9:5).

But this group also included two other men: Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Oshea the son of Nun, to whom Moses gave the name Joshua.

I think that now, upon hearing these two names, you immediately remembered Israel’s story of the twelve spies who were sent to explore Canaan.

‘Non-overcomers’ is not a designation you will find in the Bible, but we can place in this category those to whom a sacred trust was given but who failed to justify that trust and entered Bible history as people whose example should not be followed and who are not worth remembering. Yet many of them were God’s children, belonged to God’s people, did God’s work, and performed good deeds. But having chosen the path of non-victory, they passed into oblivion. Some of them, like Judas Iscariot, are still associated with something proverbial.

I know many people named Daniel, Peter, Esther, and Mary, but I have never heard of anyone naming their children Judas, Saul, or Herodias. As a rule, believers do not give their children such names. And what do the names have to do with it? Essentially, nothing. But the conduct and non-victory of people who bore beautiful names disgraced those names forever.

The name Adolf is not so bad in its history, but in Germany and Europe it is not customary to give it to newborn children because one man bearing that name once committed a very great deal of evil.

The Lord desires to see us as overcomers. Through faith in Him and by virtue of our spiritual birth, our names are written in the Book of Life, where special records are kept of our spiritual growth and our sins. The Lord gives us everything necessary for victory, teaches us how to use it, and sends mentors and teachers who explain to us the paths of salvation and teach us where and in Whom to obtain strength and wisdom for victory. Our faith overcomes this world, and love establishes us in this victory.

The enemy of souls has prepared interesting and very severe trials for us. Whether we want to or not, we will have to pass through this fire and come out of it as overcomers. Just as the three young men in the third chapter of the book of Daniel did not wish to enter the fiery furnace but found themselves there by God’s providence, so we too will find ourselves in difficult circumstances in which we will need power from above so that no evil and no fire may harm us. We know that this trial will certainly occur, but we do not know when it will happen, exactly what it will be, or in what way we will be tested. But the plans of the wicked one are not unknown to God. He knows what this world is capable of and how to withstand its evil influence.

Even now, the Lord offers us the opportunity to enter into a constant spiritual relationship with Him. He desires to endow us with those qualities of soul and those riches of Heaven which, when we possess them, will enable us to stand in every trial and be overcomers in every battle. However strange the weapons from God’s arsenal may seem to us, they will be the most effective means of victory. What will happen to those who do not heed the counsel of the Faithful Witness in Revelation 3:18? Most likely, they will never become overcomers. What can Heaven do for those who hear God’s voice, understand what is being discussed, take an interest in the details of the blessings offered, and do nothing to obtain them and learn to use them?

I believe that special records of every overcomer’s victories are kept in Heaven so that all the inhabitants of Heaven may study the power of God’s grace through the example of living and sinful people—how a fallen being can become a mighty overcomer through God’s power and grace. It even seems to me that some streets in the Heavenly Jerusalem will be named after us. Perhaps this will not happen, but I am certain that the names of the overcomers will surely be immortalized in the Universe and will eternally bear a special meaning and power.

And what will happen to those who prove to be non-overcomers? Their names will be blotted out of every source of Heavenly information. They will be remembered once with regret and tears, and consideration will be given to how many opportunities these people received and how they chose their own path, upon which they suffered shipwreck. Even now it is very painful to speak and write about this, knowing that among these people may be my dear brothers and sisters who go with me to God’s temple, worship our Savior, and do everything possible to save at least someone from this world. Perhaps I myself, because of hidden sins, spiritual laziness, or ignorance, will be found among the non-overcomers. I want least of all to believe or speak about this, but God is no respecter of persons: He will give victory only to those who do everything possible to be overcomers and who study everything God decides to reveal to them.

In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–12), Jesus made it clear that among believers there will be those who understand perfectly well what the Lord is calling them to obtain, how much it costs, and where it may be obtained, but who, for personal reasons, will not obtain it during the favorable time. Their vessels will prove empty, and when the time of darkness comes, their lamps will go out.

Jesus also taught that many will come and be surprised by the closed doors because they had good works, supernatural miracles, and many other things that they considered sufficient for salvation. But Jesus will declare that He does not know them, because they proved to be workers of iniquity.

And what does Jesus offer for victory? Faith and love, His righteousness, and wisdom from above. He does not separate these qualities as though suggesting that we may possess only one of them. He desires to present this Heavenly treasure in its fullness and, through personal fellowship, teach us how to use all of it, permitting various trials in our lives.

Be assured that the Savior will not leave a single thirsty person in ignorance, nor will He withhold His blessings. We will be given all the fullness of Heaven’s treasures for complete victory over self, the world, sin, and Satan. Are you ready to become such an overcomer? Do you have ears?

1. Please read John 16:33; 1 John 5:4; Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7; Ephesians 6:11–13; Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 25:10.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand?

4. Who is a non-overcomer? Which biblical non-overcomers do you know?

5. What is necessary in order to become an overcomer?

6. Do you have a habit of postponing important spiritual decisions ‘until later’?

7. What is more important—convenience or faithfulness to God?

8. Are you ready to pay the price for spiritual victory?

9. Are you relying on someone else’s faith, love, and righteousness?

10. Why am I unable to produce within myself the weapons needed for victory?

11. Are you determined to go all the way to the end? If so, where are you going, and whom are you following?

12. Why will an overcomer be unable to avoid the trial and the fiery furnace?

13. What is necessary in order to be an overcomer wearing the whole armour of God?

14. What name do you want to leave behind?