“I am writing to you, young men, because you have had victory over the evil one. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have had victory over the evil one.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:13b-14c‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Here in verses 12-14 John is addressing three groups of people; Children, Fathers, and Young Men. I will be addressing each group individually. I have no intention to exclude the Mothers and Young Women but will try to keep the same language that John is using. So, on to the third group.

Young men

I think most people would place the young men between children and fathers, but I am placing it after fathers because fathers have come to know God and now young men have had victory over the evil one. We cannot have victory over the Devil without first, having our sins forgiven, knowing the father, knowing the one from the beginning!

Just as fathers have children so young men have grandchildren. Timothy’s faithful men made him a father and Paul a grandfather, a young man. I am not saying we must have spiritual grandchildren to have victory, but growth must take place in us to know God and Jesus to obtain victory. The closer to God we grow the more our heart grows toward God and farther away from the evil one.

The word of God is a must in the fight for victory over the evil one!  Jesus used it three times in Matthew 4.

“But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”

Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:4, 7, 10‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/mat.4.4,7,10.hcsb

The psalmist knew it in Psalms 119.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands. I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:9-11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/psa.119.9-11.hcsb

Joseph knew it in Genesis 39.

“No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God? ””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭39:9‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/gen.39.9.hcsb

The Church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3 understood it.

“I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/rev.3.8.hcsb

Now, will we?

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/1co.10.13.hcsb

Here is Jesus’ call to all of us. How will we respond?

“If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.15.7.hcsb

Not only will we have victory, but we will have what we ask of God in we remain in His living Word, the Bible.