1. Introduction

Today I will share on a crucial topic: Overcoming Yourself. Our God is truly amazing. Today's testimony resonates deeply with what I'm about to preach. The essence of Overcoming Yourself is vividly demonstrated in this sister's life. Looking back at my previous sermons on themes like The Logical System in the Human Heart, Do Not Be Wise in Your Own Eyes, Observing and Not Observing, and Elevating Spiritual Height, they all revolve around ourselves. The most foolish thing anyone can do is to act according to their natural, inherent thoughts. From a young age, people are filled with wickedness. How can they live well? Only by filling their hearts with the words of God can they truly thrive. In truth, a person's greatest enemy is themselves.

The sister who will share her testimony today used to do nothing but read novels all day. Most churches steeped in religious traditions would find it hard to manage her. When I dealt with her, I was very strict. What was clever about this sister was that even with my approach, she still followed me, because she knew it was for her good. Some people are deceived by their own ideas, quickly judging good and evil. Sometimes, I would sternly rebuke this sister, hoping for her to grow. Other times, if I felt she wasn't ready, I would feign a gentler approach, saying, Sister, Jesus loves you, and so do we! But you could tell from my tone that I was being insincere. Strangely, some might think that when I treat you well, I intend to harm you. Some pastors can be quite dangerous, truly playing false. For example, some who lacked love as children might be given a hug. If that doesn't work, they get two hugs, which is very fake.

Singapore also sees this. For instance, someone posting on social media about a surgery the next day, asking for prayers, and then others write a lot below. So, the problem isn't about a lack of love in youth or a difficult family background. If you've tasted the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil since childhood, you're in trouble. The young woman testifying today didn't have a high school diploma or a university degree, yet she earns more than someone with a doctorate. We confronted her inherent nature. Cain blamed Abel, and ended up living a life of sin. Esau sold his birthright and didn't fare much better. Samuel was sent to the temple from a young age and faced old Eli, which wasn't easy, but Samuel was formidable from the start. Saul had the best conditions, was handsome, yet lived a life of corruption. David had nothing and was even hunted, but nothing changed David's destiny to be king. So, today, we must diligently reform ourselves. Don't think you can't do this or that. As long as you want to deal with yourself, I and your pastor will gladly assist you.

Last night, I trained a sister in her work. What we do doesn't really resemble a church; it's more like human resources. We're doing human resource management work for those companies. All the brothers and sisters in our church receive excellent training. One brother said, Our company is a multinational corporation, but its decline isn't due to external competition, but internal decay. A company's success isn't determined by external competition but by internal strife. A person's success isn't determined by harsh external conditions but by whether there's a victorious mindset within. In fact, the U.S. and China are the same. China, in the past, was biding its time. When I was in university, the entire lab had only one Apple 2 computer, smuggled back by someone who had studied abroad. The Western powers wouldn't sell to us. I greatly admire the Chinese people because China's first atomic and hydrogen bombs were launched without modern cranes, but with iron chain hoists. They created conditions when there were none; if there are conditions, proceed; if there aren't, create them and proceed. The current state of the U.S. isn't due to external factors, but internal ones. The same goes for individuals and families; it's not an external problem, but an internal one.

Some cannot accept the way the church pastors, saying that assignments are unclear, and they leave the church, thinking that it will help them. They don't realize that they are the root of all the problems. No matter where you go, the problem is you. If you observe and follow God's words, do not be wise in your own eyes, break the logical system of knowing good and evil within, and elevate your spiritual height, you can certainly be a blessed person. Your greatest enemy is yourself, your faith, and your judgment of things – that's the key. If you don't breakthrough in yourself today, you'll never solve your problems.

I listened to three days of courses, and much of what was said on stage didn't align with the Bible. I wondered if I would become like that in the future, growing old and being self-righteous. I might become like that. As I listened, I thought, God says to look at the fruit, to see if a tree is good or bad. A car that can't run is just a handcart. People who know good and evil don't look at the results, only at the thing itself, thinking that eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil will be good, but it only makes things worse.

The Pharisees saw that Jesus was the son of a carpenter, and they couldn't see the miracles Jesus performed, nor believe that Jesus was God incarnate. In that course, I saw someone using crutches, with her pastor beside her. She was in pain, but no one took her to pray. So, I took her at 1-3 a.m. to pray. Her husband is a very devoted brother, but he only talks, and does nothing. The next day, I met her husband, and he said, What you're doing is good; you should exercise more of the authority God has given you, and annihilate diseases. In this generation, many just talk, but we need to be real. What we do must have results. We must be careful not to become new Pharisees. I hope we all become wise, and that we deal with the foolishness within us. What can influence you is your decision. Today, I tell you that you must overcome yourself.

2. Scripture

> Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)

3. Prayer

Lord Jesus, speak to us today, and let us imitate the Apostle Paul, so that everything we do has a purpose, so that I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Lord, help me, I will set my heart today, strike a blow to my body and make it my slave, overcome all the lies of the devil within me, and deal with my weaknesses.
Lord, work in us, I will set my heart, strike a blow to my body and make it my slave, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen!

4. Why Did the Apostle Paul Say This?

When the Apostle Paul was writing, he was disturbed by many things, and that thing was himself. Mortifying one's own flesh is a lifelong lesson, which I have personally experienced. I have two selves, one spiritual and one carnal. According to carnal desires, I really want to be lazy. In fact, Paul was the same. One must triumph inwardly; otherwise, one will run to the flesh, and the flesh can never be fully subdued. Paul knew it was truly corrupt to live in the flesh. When the Lord Jesus became flesh and came into this world, it was very difficult for the Lord Jesus to be crucified on the cross.

It is really hard to be in the flesh. Paul's service and pastoral care are external, but the important thing is to deal with oneself. If something is nailed to you, doesn't it hurt? In the process of serving, didn't the Apostle Paul encounter various difficulties? Only when one triumphs in the heart can one enjoy serving God; without dealing with one's weaknesses, one really cannot go on. It is really not easy to be in the flesh. Why did Paul say, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air, and the devil has nothing in me? I live according to the word of God. It's not that I don't have carnal preferences in me. When I'm very tired, I really want to give up, but we have a triumphant determination inside. I constantly strike a blow to my body and make it my slave.

How many things do we encounter in our lives? Sometimes we are afraid, but so what if we are afraid? Just deal with it. People are born carnal. Today, in our heavenly race, we are like an eagle soaring in the sky. Looking down, it's really scary. So, relying on the Spirit of God and the mighty power of God, we soar in the world of God, just like climbing a cliff. When we look down, we are afraid, but we can overcome by following the word of God.

5. Paul's Logical System

The Holy Spirit and the desires of the flesh are in conflict. In fact, evil spirits are never a match for the Spirit of God. God can easily destroy the spirits of the devil. Devils serve God, picking up the trash. If you walk in the will of God, God sees you as a treasure; if you don't walk in it, the devil sees you as a treasure. God's throne in heaven has never been taken away by the devil. What we humans have lost is earthly authority. God became flesh and became Jesus Christ, died for us, and rose from the dead. What God wants to save is people, not Himself. The devil controls people through lust. The lust of the flesh is the key to the devil's control of people. Our innate preferences and natural thoughts all control people. To be free, we must overcome ourselves. Let us live by the Spirit; the flesh is of no benefit. Today, we must put to death the evil deeds of the flesh by the Holy Spirit. We must live by God and live in freedom.

6. We Must Overcome Our Thoughts, Preferences, Customs of This World, Traditions, and Natural Human Reactions

Our thoughts are naturally opposed to God, which is why we must constantly preach the word of God. The Psalms say to meditate on God's word day and night. If you don't think about it, natural thoughts come, and corruption is produced. We must examine the results. When you act and see according to God's word, you can enter into good results. People's natural thoughts are ridiculous, but people just can't overcome the thoughts within themselves, which is quite deadly. If the thoughts inside you do not conform to God's word, you must deal with them. Many people serve God according to their own ideas.

Today, if you have these preferences and thoughts, who doesn't want to eat delicious food and drink fine wine? But the result is emptiness and discomfort. I haven't traveled for many years because I feel uncomfortable when I come back. Carnal people naturally do not please God. We must overcome our feelings. Whether it is an adult male or an adult female, God certainly has feelings according to the sexual organs. Without feelings, that is an abnormal person. So, some brothers and sisters ask me, what should I do if I always have this feeling? Girls are naturally drawn to some very spiritual brothers, but will you act according to your feelings? It is normal to have feelings. But the question is whether we should mortify the evil practices of the flesh and become people with destiny. People with destiny deal with their thoughts, preferences, customs of this world, traditions, and natural human reactions. I choose to be a person with destiny, constantly elevating myself. When we start to decide, we start climbing spiritual peaks, just like people go to higher places, and water flows to lower places.

Today, in the process of climbing spiritual peaks, I know it is very tiring and full of challenges. Carnal things will certainly become a burden. Today, we live by the word of God. God's logic must replace human logic. Now people with illnesses see doctors, but they don't believe that our God is the greatest doctor. How natural is the logical system within people. I see brothers and sisters from other churches having eye surgery and asking everyone to pray. If Jesus came, He would definitely say this is an unbelieving and perverse generation. Some time ago, a child in our church had scoliosis of 37 degrees. This child knew good and evil because her mother saw her little brother being sick since childhood and took care of him very much. She began to be jealous and thought her mother was not good to her. The logical system of people is really strange.

We are born very selfish. In our church, if you are selfish, we all know, and you cannot live in blessings. God tells us to love God first, then love others. If you love yourself more than everything, you will have a lot of trouble. We must overcome our thoughts and overcome our preferences.

7. Overcoming Your Family

It is quite fashionable now, especially in North America, Singapore, and Christian communities worldwide, to place great emphasis on one's family. However, the Bible states that a man's enemies are the members of his own household, and the devil uses these enemies to bind you. Jesus set a good example, which defies human logic.

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50)

We see that God does not reckon based on physical relationships. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become descendants of Abraham, not according to the flesh. Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us an important lesson: Who is my family? Who are our brothers and sisters? Those who do God's will. In the past, a brother would leave a gathering before it ended to pick up his wife. Is this the family of God's kingdom? We, as brothers and sisters, must constantly overcome. Many lies and pressures come from family. For instance, if your mother is unwell, you become very anxious, whereas if someone else's mother is unwell, you are not concerned. This is because people operate according to fleshly relationships. If my mother is unwell, do not expect me to be tearful. Who is my mother? Those who do the will of my Father.

The Bible says that you lay down your parents, wife, siblings, houses, and land—everything you have—for God's kingdom. Why does it not mention uncles, aunts, or strangers? Strangers are not related to you. This is how we are. Therefore, our family is often the source of our bondage. If your family asks you to compromise, do not be afraid, for authority is not negotiable. We can perform our household duties well and manage our affairs effectively. However, if compromise leads to a loss of freedom to serve, it is a corrupt way to build God's kingdom.

8. Overcoming Your Past

Everyone has their own background. My father was not significant, some might say, lamenting that we live in an age where success depends on one's parents. I am poor. If only my father were Jack Ma or Wang Jianlin. Our national hero, Lin Zexu, said, If my son is like me, I will give him my wealth. But if he is not like me, what use is wealth to him? Therefore, one should not dwell on ancestral curses. Instead, we must break free from all deceptions. All these things can be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. We must overcome our past. A common deception today is the belief that we must find the root cause of a problem in order to attain complete deliverance through healing and deliverance ministry. However, the true root lies in carefully obeying God's word. Digging for roots within yourself will only lead you astray.

I grew up in a poor family, but I did not have a poverty mindset because the choice lies within you. We must completely remove our own thoughts, preferences, worldly customs, traditions, and natural human reactions. We should not live according to our own ideas but according to God's word. If your family has a strong demonic presence, it can certainly be broken through Jesus Christ. Past experiences of sexual abuse are not the defining factor. If you continue to partake of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, you will die. Our church is your human resource training centre. Today, break free from such bad habits. The testimony of the sister who spoke today is a great example. Without a junior high or university diploma, she now earns a salary exceeding that of a PhD holder and is being considered by her boss for a leadership position in the company. This is not because of her past but because she carefully obeys God's word. I used to correct her harshly; she had many demons. Once, she entered my house and tried to smash my computer. She is intelligent, and I believe God has a good plan for her. However, she chose to recognize and follow her pastor, diligently obeying God's word. Falling down and getting back up is fine; continually disciplining oneself and overcoming one's past is essential.

We must break free from our deceptions. Healing and deliverance come down to one thing: faith. Why is it that prayer helps one person but not another? It is because of faith. When we lack faith, we must constantly build it up. Having faith is always better than having none.

9. Overcoming Your Present

Last night, I ministered to a lawyer. Although he shares in church, he is not progressing well. Now is the time to break free from confusion, be grounded, and begin a career plan by focusing on the present tasks. In the past, we engaged in religious practices without sincerity and truth. Do not think that our God is not a God of order. When our God created the universe, His plans were meticulously laid out. We must continuously break through our present limitations.

We must break free from religious deceptions. Praying does not guarantee acing an exam if you do not prepare. Prayer cannot replace hard work. Abraham was not great simply because he was Abraham; he was great because he was grounded. Do not be disoriented. I know that religious rituals cannot replace hard work. We must be above, not below, in our companies, schools, and government. We must begin to train ourselves and then train others. I am a bit short-tempered because I want to push you forward. I recently created a Korean website and demonstrated a project to everyone, showing how things should be done properly, not haphazardly. The lawyer I met last night has 40 subordinates. A simple table can clarify their progress. We must be humble, seeing ourselves as we truly are. We must not constantly feel inadequate or be guided by human thoughts and our past but by God's will. Because God wants to perform miracles in your life, what is a small amount of work? Be quiet and do your job well. We must teach those we pastor in our church how to manage projects.

10. Overcoming Circumstances

If the environment is bad, the people are bad, or you feel inadequate, the key is to make yourself capable. Do you believe in our Almighty God? The Chinese word for crisis contains the element of opportunity. God is shaking this world, and some will rise to the top while others will fall to the bottom. Nothing can truly curse a person. No magic can harm Israel. No curse can come upon Jacob. Therefore, you must discipline yourself. If you carefully obey God's word, you will surely be blessed. Nothing is better than God. With God, we need nothing else. He allows us to possess His image. It is not that the market is bad; the market is excellent. It is not that the environment is bad; the environment is excellent. We must constantly overcome, training ourselves in such environments. If one lacks vision, train their vision. Nothing can stop God from blessing you except yourself.

Let our natural tendencies diminish until we increasingly resemble Jesus. Our healing and deliverance abilities, work ethic, and professional skills should become more and more like Jesus. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. You no longer live according to your own will but according to God's will. Money is not the problem; the problem is that we must discipline ourselves and bring our bodies under control. Our God allows us to reign on earth, restoring God's glory, and the latter glory will be greater than the former. May God's good will be accomplished in your life, Amen!