There are two verses that instantly come to mind. We read in 1st John 5:4-5, “For whatever is born of God OVERCOMES THE WORLD. And this is the victory that has OVERCOME THE WORLD—our FAITH. Who is he who OVERCOMES THE WORLD, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (NKJV). You are correct in saying that “the world expresses a lot of doubts”; in fact, the world (those who do NOT believe “that Jesus is the Son of God”) constantly denies the existence of God. Because of their unbelief, they often ridicule those of us who do believe. Yet in these two precious verses we learn the secret of overcoming the world—OUR FAITH! So, in answer to your question, instead of wondering how you can have faith in God in light of the world of unbelief that we live in, you are encouraged in this passage to know YOUR FAITH will give you the power to overcome the world.

I would like to quote the words of William McDonald on this portion. He says, “Only the man who is born of God really OVERCOMES THE WORLD, because by FAITH he is able to rise above the perishing things of this world and to see things in their true, eternal perspective. Thus the one who really OVERCOMES THE WORLD is not the great scientist or philosopher or psychologist, but the simple believer who realizes that the things which are seen are temporary and that the things which are not seen are eternal. A sight of the glory of God in the face of Jesus dims the glory of this world.”

If we take these words to heart, the world, which will always seek to drag us down and keep us focused on earthly things and not on the things of God, will be stripped of its power over us. The world will continue to doubt the existence of God, His Word, and the Savior He sent into the world, yet through FAITH the believer can continue to be, without distraction, occupied with “eternal things” as opposed to the “things of time and sense.” This is truly what it means to OVERCOME THE WORLD.

We do well to ask, “How do we keep our faith active?” Before answering that, let me ask another question, “How did we acquire faith in the first place?” The answer is found in Romans 10:17, “So then FAITH comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” At one time we were part of the world that doubted God’s existence and His love manifested through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. But then the “Word of God” came to us in power and WE BELIEVED! Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Word convicted us of the reality of God and our need for a Savior and then that same Word revealed to us the “gospel of Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:16 declares, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for IT IS THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION for everyone who believes.” By the grace of God FAITH sprang up in our souls and we BELIEVED the gospel. That same Word that produced FAITH in us for our salvation is the key to producing FAITH in us every day of our lives. The more we read and meditate on God’s Word, the more we will experience FAITH which will empower us to OVERCOME THE WORLD. (270.7) (DO)