I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John xii 24;

also by these words:

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life (anima) shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. Mark viii 34-35.

By the cross is meant temptation,

as also in Matt. x 38; xvi 24; Mark x 21; Luke xiv 27;

by life is meant the life of man's proprium,

as also in Matt. x 39; xvi 25; Luke ix 24; and especially in John xii 25;

which is also the life of the flesh that profiteth nothing, John vi 63. Concerning combats against evils and victories over them, the Lord speaks to all the Churches in the Revelation:

To the Church in Ephesus: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Rev. ii 7.

To the Church in Smyrna: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Rev. ii 11.

To the Church in Pergamos: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Rev. ii 17.

To the Church in Thyatira: He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations ... ... and the morning star. Rev. ii 26-28.

To the Church in Sardis: [He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels. Rev. iii 5.

To the Church in Philadelphia]: Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God ... and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of God, which is the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from God, and my new name. Rev. iii 12.

To the Church in Laodicea: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne. Rev. iii 21.