Victim or Victory?
Greetings sisters in Christ!
I pray you are victorious in the Lord today which goes along with what I want to encourage you with.
Are you a victim or victorious?
We often hear professed believers complaining about their lives or stating things in ways that makes them look like a victim instead of being victorious in Christ. I'd like to list a few examples that might encourage you to look at you own life (and me at mine) and attitude to see if you are falling into that trap of satan.
* Flesh
Many women claim to be a victim of their flesh because it's weak. It's true that some can be weaker than others but we are all to try hard to kill the flesh on a continuous basis and over time we become victorious (not all the way but much more so than the beginning.) We should be looking back and seeing how much we've grown over the years because if we haven't then there's something spiritually wrong and it's not that we are victim to the flesh, we are probably feeding it. Let us stand in victory (through the power of Christ) over it!
* Guilt
This is one that I used to struggle greatly with in the years past as a new believer. If we are to forgive others or we won't be forgiven, that would also mean we must forgive ourselves for all the wrongs we used to do, amen?! We cannot be a victim to our flesh, being wrapped up in guilt, we must overcome and be victorious.
* Finances
We often hear people comparing their financial life to others and God's Word warns about that because it can turn into envy, greed, bitterness, discontent and more. We've heard people call themselves 'poor' yet if we stop to contemplate what that words means, you see it's relative. (They are usually comparing themselves to someone else that has more money.) Most supposed 'poor' people here in America are rich compared to the rest of the world and much more than what God's word says we are told be thankful and content for...food and raiment. (1 Timothy 6) The 'poor' in America have housing, vehicles, food, clothing, cell phones, air conditioning or heat, electricity, running water, beds with plenty of blankets, vehicles to drive etc and many other quality items in their life. Poor is when you have no money to buy food, no shelter, no clothing etc. To be honest with you, every person we've met and known, with the victim mentality, has money that could be saved if they stripped their life down. We know because we've done it and see others doing it as well. We're not encouraging anyone to do anything we have not done ourselves and as the years go by we continue to find ways to be even more frugal so we can continue to be set free for the service of the Lord. Believe it or not, a person does not need that much in the bank to be free if they plan, work the plan and don't waste their money. We chose to move someplace that allows us to live off grid, therefore saving much money each month on utilities and housing because we can live in whatever dwelling we choose. (You could live in a box if you wanted, literally.) We chose an older van and made it into our traveling home for less than most people buy a used vehicle. We eat very simple and don't feel we should waste our money on high dollar foods and supplements as our Father will sustain us. We diligently worked our plan for years to be where we are killing much flesh along the way. (No, not everyone has to do that, you can save much money where you are.) We should be thankful and content, working hard to set ourselves up in this life to be free to serve the Lord the best we can. The problem is most people don't want to do that and instead of admitting it and working hard to rectify it, they claim to be a victim.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
* Health
In this world of pollution, chemicals and because the curse of sin from man, there is much sickness and we know personally how difficult that can be but we have encouragement from Paul...
I was just talking with a sister about infirmities and how God uses them to quiet us women and make us trust in Him more. We also discussed that even in our infirmities we must continue to give to others (unless we are on our death bed or so severely sick we cannot even take care of ourselves) in the life God has given us. I encourage people to be victorious in this area and not sit around being a victim. There is nothing in God's word that says we have the right to be pain free in this life, in fact us women were given pain in childbirth and for many it extends past that until death. I read a secular article (many years ago) about a woman who had cancer and was under the care of some women that she was close to. They knew she was in much pain but she never complained and continuously shared a joyous nature with others, trying to bless them, until the day she died. That story stood out to me and how much more can we do that in Christ, as our strength. Let us turn that around into us being victorious through it all, the best that we each can do.
* Fear
Fear can come from many different directions when you serve Christ. There may be fear of losing a spouse, having family hate you, losing a job, being tortured, being alone etc...all because of the name of the Lord, whom we serve. As brother Jim is always saying, "If we can trust God for our eternal life, we should be able to trust Him in this life." If we live in the flesh, we would be consumed by fear but if we live in the Spirit, perfect love casts out fear and we can overcome the feeling of being a victim and stand victorious.
* Marital Status
Some of us sisters are married to believers, some to unbelievers, some to believers who are disobedient to in areas of the scriptures, some single and some widowed. In all those situations we could bemoan our life because of our husband (and how we are treated) or the lack of one. God's Word shows we are to rejoice and be content in all situations, not envy or covet what we don't have or allow our emotions to rule us when things do go the way we would like. I see too many women who claim Christ living weak, wavering (to and fro) lives because of the 'husband or lack of' situation. We are to live for Christ and be victorious in it, not self pity as a victim.
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
* Gender
This one is another popular area in which women are not satisfied to be created women with the role of being under the authority of man. They would rather be men because they want to be out on the streets preaching the gospel, running their own ministry and not subject to authority. That's called feminism and instead of sitting around feeling like a victim that cannot 'do' anything in the ministry like they want, they should be victorious and look for ways to minister in the roles they have. Just recently in conversing with a sister we talked about how we should pour ourselves out to others and God will fill us up with more but if we are not faithful in the (so called) little, He's not going to give us any more.
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Genesis 3:16
* Social Status
I'm tossing this in here because of the rioting going on from the lie of racism which is really a socialist tactic to institute a 'one world' order. Many people claim to be a victim of their social status whether it be color (in America the black people and Indians use this) their financial upbringing (raised in the ghetto, I was considered 'white trash' myself), the location of where they live (southern US has poor states and on the coasts they are wealthy) etc. This, once again, is the victim mentality instead of being victorious in Christ, wiping away who we are (or were) on this earth and being a new creation in Christ.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
I encourage you to seek that victory that Christ offers us as with Him we can overcome and be joyous in this world. It comes down to a matter of killing the flesh, not allowing external (or internal) things to sway us,being strong, not wavering in our circumstances. Yes, easier said than done but we need to see this as a command as it shows the power of our God. Too many weak and watered down 'professed' believers deny the power of God such as 2 Timothy 3:5, let that not be us. Let the world see strong sisters in Christ, standing on the Word.
Have a victorious day in the Lord,
Sister Deb
I pray you are victorious in the Lord today which goes along with what I want to encourage you with.
Are you a victim or victorious?
We often hear professed believers complaining about their lives or stating things in ways that makes them look like a victim instead of being victorious in Christ. I'd like to list a few examples that might encourage you to look at you own life (and me at mine) and attitude to see if you are falling into that trap of satan.
* Flesh
Many women claim to be a victim of their flesh because it's weak. It's true that some can be weaker than others but we are all to try hard to kill the flesh on a continuous basis and over time we become victorious (not all the way but much more so than the beginning.) We should be looking back and seeing how much we've grown over the years because if we haven't then there's something spiritually wrong and it's not that we are victim to the flesh, we are probably feeding it. Let us stand in victory (through the power of Christ) over it!
* Guilt
This is one that I used to struggle greatly with in the years past as a new believer. If we are to forgive others or we won't be forgiven, that would also mean we must forgive ourselves for all the wrongs we used to do, amen?! We cannot be a victim to our flesh, being wrapped up in guilt, we must overcome and be victorious.
* Finances
We often hear people comparing their financial life to others and God's Word warns about that because it can turn into envy, greed, bitterness, discontent and more. We've heard people call themselves 'poor' yet if we stop to contemplate what that words means, you see it's relative. (They are usually comparing themselves to someone else that has more money.) Most supposed 'poor' people here in America are rich compared to the rest of the world and much more than what God's word says we are told be thankful and content for...food and raiment. (1 Timothy 6) The 'poor' in America have housing, vehicles, food, clothing, cell phones, air conditioning or heat, electricity, running water, beds with plenty of blankets, vehicles to drive etc and many other quality items in their life. Poor is when you have no money to buy food, no shelter, no clothing etc. To be honest with you, every person we've met and known, with the victim mentality, has money that could be saved if they stripped their life down. We know because we've done it and see others doing it as well. We're not encouraging anyone to do anything we have not done ourselves and as the years go by we continue to find ways to be even more frugal so we can continue to be set free for the service of the Lord. Believe it or not, a person does not need that much in the bank to be free if they plan, work the plan and don't waste their money. We chose to move someplace that allows us to live off grid, therefore saving much money each month on utilities and housing because we can live in whatever dwelling we choose. (You could live in a box if you wanted, literally.) We chose an older van and made it into our traveling home for less than most people buy a used vehicle. We eat very simple and don't feel we should waste our money on high dollar foods and supplements as our Father will sustain us. We diligently worked our plan for years to be where we are killing much flesh along the way. (No, not everyone has to do that, you can save much money where you are.) We should be thankful and content, working hard to set ourselves up in this life to be free to serve the Lord the best we can. The problem is most people don't want to do that and instead of admitting it and working hard to rectify it, they claim to be a victim.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
* Health
In this world of pollution, chemicals and because the curse of sin from man, there is much sickness and we know personally how difficult that can be but we have encouragement from Paul...
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9I was just talking with a sister about infirmities and how God uses them to quiet us women and make us trust in Him more. We also discussed that even in our infirmities we must continue to give to others (unless we are on our death bed or so severely sick we cannot even take care of ourselves) in the life God has given us. I encourage people to be victorious in this area and not sit around being a victim. There is nothing in God's word that says we have the right to be pain free in this life, in fact us women were given pain in childbirth and for many it extends past that until death. I read a secular article (many years ago) about a woman who had cancer and was under the care of some women that she was close to. They knew she was in much pain but she never complained and continuously shared a joyous nature with others, trying to bless them, until the day she died. That story stood out to me and how much more can we do that in Christ, as our strength. Let us turn that around into us being victorious through it all, the best that we each can do.
* Fear
Fear can come from many different directions when you serve Christ. There may be fear of losing a spouse, having family hate you, losing a job, being tortured, being alone etc...all because of the name of the Lord, whom we serve. As brother Jim is always saying, "If we can trust God for our eternal life, we should be able to trust Him in this life." If we live in the flesh, we would be consumed by fear but if we live in the Spirit, perfect love casts out fear and we can overcome the feeling of being a victim and stand victorious.
* Marital Status
Some of us sisters are married to believers, some to unbelievers, some to believers who are disobedient to in areas of the scriptures, some single and some widowed. In all those situations we could bemoan our life because of our husband (and how we are treated) or the lack of one. God's Word shows we are to rejoice and be content in all situations, not envy or covet what we don't have or allow our emotions to rule us when things do go the way we would like. I see too many women who claim Christ living weak, wavering (to and fro) lives because of the 'husband or lack of' situation. We are to live for Christ and be victorious in it, not self pity as a victim.
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
* Gender
This one is another popular area in which women are not satisfied to be created women with the role of being under the authority of man. They would rather be men because they want to be out on the streets preaching the gospel, running their own ministry and not subject to authority. That's called feminism and instead of sitting around feeling like a victim that cannot 'do' anything in the ministry like they want, they should be victorious and look for ways to minister in the roles they have. Just recently in conversing with a sister we talked about how we should pour ourselves out to others and God will fill us up with more but if we are not faithful in the (so called) little, He's not going to give us any more.
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Genesis 3:16
* Social Status
I'm tossing this in here because of the rioting going on from the lie of racism which is really a socialist tactic to institute a 'one world' order. Many people claim to be a victim of their social status whether it be color (in America the black people and Indians use this) their financial upbringing (raised in the ghetto, I was considered 'white trash' myself), the location of where they live (southern US has poor states and on the coasts they are wealthy) etc. This, once again, is the victim mentality instead of being victorious in Christ, wiping away who we are (or were) on this earth and being a new creation in Christ.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
I encourage you to seek that victory that Christ offers us as with Him we can overcome and be joyous in this world. It comes down to a matter of killing the flesh, not allowing external (or internal) things to sway us,being strong, not wavering in our circumstances. Yes, easier said than done but we need to see this as a command as it shows the power of our God. Too many weak and watered down 'professed' believers deny the power of God such as 2 Timothy 3:5, let that not be us. Let the world see strong sisters in Christ, standing on the Word.
Have a victorious day in the Lord,
Sister Deb
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