Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "defeating" often refers to the overcoming of enemies, obstacles, or challenges through divine intervention, faith, and obedience to God's commands. The concept of defeating is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual victories.
Old Testament Examples1.
David and Goliath: One of the most iconic examples of defeating an enemy is the account of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd, defeats the Philistine giant Goliath with a sling and a stone, demonstrating that victory comes not by might but by faith in God. David declares, "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head" (
1 Samuel 17:46).
2.
Joshua and the Battle of Jericho: The fall of Jericho is another significant example. Joshua leads the Israelites in a seemingly unconventional battle strategy commanded by God, resulting in the walls of Jericho collapsing. This victory underscores the importance of obedience to God's instructions. "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days" (
Hebrews 11:30).
3.
Gideon and the Midianites: Gideon's defeat of the Midianites with only 300 men highlights God's power in delivering His people. God reduces Gideon's army to ensure that the victory is attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. "The LORD said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand'" (
Judges 7:7).
New Testament Teachings1.
Jesus' Victory Over Sin and Death: The ultimate defeat in the New Testament is Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection. This victory is central to Christian faith, offering salvation to all who believe. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (
1 Corinthians 15:57).
2.
Spiritual Warfare: Believers are called to engage in spiritual warfare, defeating the powers of darkness through the armor of God.
Ephesians 6:11-12 instructs, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
3.
Overcoming the World: Christians are encouraged to overcome worldly challenges through faith in Christ. "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith" (1
John 5:4).
Principles of Defeating in Scripture·
Faith and Trust in God: Victory is often achieved through unwavering faith and trust in God's promises and power.
·
Obedience to God's Commands: Success in defeating adversaries is frequently linked to obedience to divine instructions.
·
Divine Intervention: Many biblical accounts of defeating enemies emphasize that it is God who grants victory, not human strength or strategy.
·
Spiritual Preparedness: Believers are called to be spiritually prepared, wearing the armor of God to stand firm against spiritual adversaries.
Throughout the Bible, the theme of defeating is intricately connected to God's sovereignty, the faithfulness of His people, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Defeat.
Library
Defeating the Press-Gang
... Chapter 11. "I do Indeed Live by Preaching"; Wesley's Advice to Travelers;
Wesley and the French PrisonersDefeating the Press-gang....
God's Sovereignty Defined
... To throw the blame, as many do, upon the Devil, does not remove the difficulty,
for if Satan isdefeating the purpose of God, then, Satan is Almighty and God...
From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
... Bydefeating him and possessing his cities Israel was enabled to pass on
and come to the plains of Moab beyond Jordan at Jericho....
England's Strength
... There we see these terrible Assyrian conquerorsdefeating their enemies, torturing
and slaughtering their prisoners, swimming rivers, beating down castles...
Letter xvii. Harmony of Christian Character.
... duty, we shall make sad work of it, running headlong, first into this extravagance,
and then into that, disturbing the plans of others, anddefeating our own...
The Image of Self.
... This is David anointed King over all Israel. There is another! Daviddefeating the
Philistines in the battle under the mulberry trees. There is one more!...
St. Boniface (Ad 680-755)
... of the palace was Charles, who was afterwards known by the name of Martel, or "The
Hammer." Charles had done a great service to Christendom bydefeating a vast...
Through the Book to God.
... cannot tell the line of division between the man, and the God within the man, then
shall we have mightiest power as God's intercessors indefeating the foe....
God's Pathway to Human Hearts.
... God's greatest agency; man's greatest agency, fordefeating the enemy and winning
men back is intercession. God is counting mightily upon that....
The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... truth and refute an ignorant boor who has scarce known the first glimmer of learning,
but because I was afraid my reply might make him appear worthdefeating....
Thesaurus
Defeating (6 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Defeat. Multi-Version
Concordance
Defeating (6 Occurrences). Hebrews 7:1 For this
...Weapon (21 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An instrument of offensive of defensive combat; something to fight with;
anything used, or designed to be used, in destroying,defeating, or injuring...
Riblah (12 Occurrences)
... rib'-la (ribhlah; Rheblatha, with variants): (1) Riblah in the land of Hamath first
appears in history in 608 BC Here Pharaoh-necoh, afterdefeating Josiah at...
Rout (6 Occurrences)
... into confusion; -- said especially of an army defeated, broken in pieces, and put
to flight in disorder or panic; also, the act ofdefeating and breaking up an...
Defeat (16 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:1 For this man, Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most High
God--he who when Abraham was returning afterdefeating the kings met him and...
Pronounced (63 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 7:1 For this man, Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most High
God--he who when Abraham was returning afterdefeating the kings met him and...
Babylon (270 Occurrences)
... His son Nebuchadrezzar (Nabu-kudur-uzur), afterdefeating the Egyptians at Carchemish,
succeeded him as king, BC 604, and founded the Babylonian empire....
Amraphel (2 Occurrences)
... (see CHEDORLAOMER). Afterdefeating Arioch (qv) he united Babylonia under one rule,
and made Babylon his capital. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AMRAPHEL....
Antiochus
... From this time the Jews began the great war of independence under their heroic
Maccabean leaders with Marked success,defeating the armies of Antiochus that...
Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences)
... in the 1st year of the siege of Jerusalem under Zedekiah; and the third saw the
armies of Nebuchadnezzar entering Egypt in triumph anddefeating Amasis in...
Resources
What is truth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is logical positivism? | GotQuestions.orgWith all of the different religions, how can I know which one is correct? | GotQuestions.orgDefeating: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
