J.C. Ryle: Biblical Examples of Victorious Saints

"This is the road that saints of old have trodden in, and left their record on high.

• "When Moses refused the pleasures of sin in Egypt, and chose affliction with the people of God, this was overcoming.  He overcame the love of pleasure.
• "When Micah refused to prophesy smooth things to king Ahab, though he knew he would be persecuted if he spoke the truth, this was overcoming.  He overcame the love of ease.
• "When Daniel refused to give up praying, though he knew the den of lions was prepared for him, this was overcoming.  He overcame the fear of death.
• "When Matthew rose from the receipt of custom at our Lord's bidding, left all and followed Him, this was overcoming.  He overcame the love of money.
• "When Peter and John stood up boldly before the council and said, 'We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard,' this was overcoming.  They overcame the fear of man.
• When Saul the Pharisee gave up all his prospects of preferment among the Jews, and preached that very Jesus whom he had once persecuted, this was overcoming.  He overcame the love of man's praise.

"The same kind of thing which these men did you must also do if you would be saved.  They were men of like passions with yourself, and yet they overcame.  They had as many trials as you can possibly have, and yet they overcame.  They fought.  The wrestled.  They struggled.  You must do the same.

"What was the secret of their victory?  Their faith.  They believed on Jesus and, believing, were made strong.  They believed on Jesus and, believing, were held up.  In all their battles, they kept their eyes on Jesus, and He never left them nor forsook them.  'They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony,' and so may you (Rev. 12:11)."