Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5290 defeat

The overcoming of or being overcome by a physical, spiritual or circumstantial enemy. Those humbled before God by such a defeat eventually come to see it as a positive experience, leading to increased spiritual maturity. The way to avoid being defeated is to trust in God and to wear the spiritual armour he provides.

Defeat as the overcoming of enemies

Physical enemies such as armies

Genesis 14:5-6 See also Genesis 14:15; Genesis 36:35; Deuteronomy 1:4; Deuteronomy 4:46; Deuteronomy 7:1-2; Deuteronomy 29:7; Joshua 10:33; Joshua 11:1-9; Judges 7:19-22; 1 Samuel 7:10; Samuel 11:11; Samuel 14:48; Samuel 17:50; 2 Samuel 2:17; Samuel 5:17-25 pp 1 Chronicles 14:8-17; Psalm 92:11; Jeremiah 37:10; Zechariah 9:15; Hebrews 7:1; Hebrews 11:34

Spiritual enemies such as Satan

Genesis 3:15 See also Luke 10:19; John 12:31; John 14:30; Romans 16:20; Colossians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 2:13-14; John 3:8; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 20:10

The world as the realm of sin

John 16:33 See also Romans 8:37; Romans 12:21; 1 John 4:4; John 5:4-5; Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; Revelation 3:5,12,21; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 21:7

Defeat as being overcome by enemies

By physical enemies

Leviticus 26:17 The Israelites were often defeated by their enemies as a punishment for disobeying God. See also Numbers 14:41-43; Deuteronomy 1:42; Deuteronomy 28:25; Joshua 7:4; Judges 2:15; Judges 3:12-14; 1 Samuel 4:1-11; 1 Kings 8:33 pp 2 Chronicles 6:24; Psalm 13:4; Psalm 44:9-12; Psalm 78:62; Jeremiah 19:7-9; Jeremiah 21:7

By spiritual enemies

James 1:13-15 See also Genesis 3:6-22; 2 Samuel 11:2-17; 1 Corinthians 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Timothy 5:11; 2 Peter 2:20

By circumstances

Psalm 39:10 This refers to God's chastisement through affliction ; Psalm 116:3 See also Psalm 32:4; Psalm 38:2; 2 Samuel 22:5-6 pp Psalm 18:4-5; 1 Kings 19:1-4; Job 36:8-9; Jeremiah 23:9; Daniel 10:16; Luke 8:37; Romans 12:21

Defeat as a positive experience

James 4:10 See also 2 Chronicles 7:14-15; Psalm 119:67,71; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Hebrews 12:9-11; 1 Peter 5:6

Defeat can be avoided

By trusting in God

Psalm 25:1-3 See also 2 Chronicles 13:18; Psalm 22:5; Psalm 31:1-4 pp Psalm 71:1-3; Psalm 112:6-8; Psalm 125:1; Isaiah 26:3; Romans 9:33; Romans 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6

By wearing the spiritual armour God provides

Ephesians 6:10-18 See also Romans 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:8

See also

4127  Satan, defeat of
4160  driving out
5482  punishment
5597  victory, act of God
5605  warfare
6248  temptation
8030  trust
8276  humility
8482  spiritual warfare
8727  enemies
8738  evil, victory over
9020  death