Victory

<<triumph, winning>>

This is success achieved in any competition, personal struggle or military operation through defeating what is opposing. Victory is not being trouble or opposition free, rather it is overcoming all the challenges that present themselves. In the Christian life, victory is dependent on our relationship with God. We believe Him no matter what seems to contradict, and refuse to allow anything to come between ourselves and Him because he is the Commander-in-Chief – victory belongs exclusively to Him. It is not achieved by human effort or ingenuity, but “by my Spirit”, and “in the name of the Lord”, as we choose and affirm our alignment to Him and His Word through utilizing the spiritual armour (Ps 60:11,12, 118:8,9; Jer 17:5; Zech 4:6; Mk 16:17,18; Gal 6:10-18; Rev 12:11). It is imperative to rely on God’s help and ability for “We are helpless without you” (2 Chr 14:11). It was only when Moses’ hands were lifted up (symbolic of the heart lifted up in a prayer of dependence on God), that Israel was victorious in battle (Ex 17:11-16). True prayer is relying on God.

and live free of known sin, besides avoiding what you know is not beneficial to your spiritual life (Josh 7:13; Jn 8:31,32,36, 14:6; Gal 5:16). It is important not to just gain victory, but maintain that position so, with a sensitive heart, continually choose to walk in humility and forgiveness with others.

It is vital to distinguish between the sin nature that all humanity is born with, and how we manifest this in our individual lives then deal with each appropriately. The inner root cause requires the ongoing denying the flesh, considering the old nature dead (Rom 8:2-4). Meanwhile the specific outward expressions in acts of sin must be confessed, allowing the blood of Jesus to cleanse (1 Jn 1:7,9).

Nothing or nobody is more powerful than God, yet as Satan is stronger than we are, the only safe place for us is to willingly submit to Christ and be under His protective covering so Satan can only attack with God’s permission (Job 1:12, 2:6; Ps 17:8, 36:7, 57:1; Eph 6:16). Jesus is able to keep us from ‘falling’ as we fulfill our responsibility of not giving the devil a foothold – by growing in grace, maturing in Christ and outworking the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23; Eph 4:13,15,27; 2 Pet 1:3-11; Jud 1:24,25). We must believe God is working for our good and in faith we are well able, rising to the challenge of overcoming obstacles and claiming the victory, otherwise we can become fearful if we focus on the negative and intimidating factors of a situation (Num 13:30; 1 Sam 17:11,24; Jer 32:17; Rom 8:28).

Satan knows our vulnerable areas and as attacks can come at any time, be continually committed and obedient to Christ, vigilant of potential danger, with prepared defences, including self-discipline, being accountable to others and removing yourself from situations that may bring you into defeat.  When “Sin is crouching at the door, you must conquer it”, through taking personal responsibility and using the spiritual weapons Christ has made available, for victory is only gained by making many right choices, one battle at a time (Gen 4:7; Ex 23:29,30; Ps 108:13).  “We rely on you, O Lord...with God we shall gain the victory...victory rests with the Lord” (2 Chr 14:11; Ps 60:12; Prov 21:31).

of God it is our privilege to rule in life through Christ, exercising divine authority over Satan as victors not victims, for “I have given you authority to overcome all the power of the enemy” (Deut 28:13; Lk 10:19; Rom 5:17, 12:21; 1 Jn 2:14). Victorious living is to understand and operate in our rightful authority and dominion over the devil and all his works (Heb 2:14; 1 Jn 3:8).

When they obeyed Jesus’ teachings the disciples witnessed the Lord working with them to do His will as they utilized the authority He invested in them, and we should expect to see Him work miraculously too (Mk 16:17,18,20; 1 Jn 4:3,4). “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” – our personal belief and the outworking of this gospel, for if we are not walking in victory we are not putting any value on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (Ex 14:13,14; Deut 28:1-14; 1 Jn 5:4,5).

After a strenuous spiritual battle and attaining victory often we are spiritually, physically and emotionally exhausted, so beware of Satan’s counterattacks (1 Kgs 18:18-19:4). Remain focused on God; remember it is His ability and provision that enables us to have victory so closely monitor the sources of your experiences and watch your attitudes, thoughts, actions and words, and the various means of input into your life and mind while understanding spiritual victory is maintained through an active and growing relationship with God (Prov 4:23; Rom 12:2; Eph 4:17,23). Pride, unforgiveness and taking offence (even at God when He says ‘No’) are some of the reasons why people do not walk in victory.

Praising Him recognizes His help in the past and although not a magic formula to gain a guaranteed result it is a principle that those who honour God He will honour (1 Sam 2:30). As victory is gained don’t just take it for granted, praise God for it and continue to maintain that freedom (Ex 15:1-18; Mt 12:43-45; Lk 7:47; Gal 5:1,13). “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:57). Live as if your very entrance into heaven depends on you gaining victory; after all Jesus gave His life for us to have it (1 Cor 9:24; Heb 2:14; 1 Jn 3:8). Praise God for the cross and the victory of Christ’s resurrection (Rom 4:25, 6:5; 2 Tim 1:10). You are redeemed property, don’t let Satan keep you in defeat through ignorance of your

position in Christ – for in all things we are ‘more than conquerors’ through Christ (Rom 8:37; Eph 1:3-8). Use God’s Word (the Scriptures) to resist the attacks of Satan and affirm your heavenly relationship, just as Jesus did (Mt 4:1-11; Rom 8:16; Heb 4:12; 1 Jn 4:4; Rev 12:11).

To praise God acknowledges His Lordship and our dependency, giving Him the invitation to move miraculously into our situation as He did for others, for “Whoever offers praise honours me, and prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God” for “The eyes of the Lord run through the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is upright before Him” (2 Chr 16:9, 20:21,22; Ps 50:23). Rather than wallow in self-pity when sorely afflicted Job was concerned and prayed for his friends – it was when he was outward focused that his own situation came right (Job 42:10). Defeat was turned to victory when David ‘encouraged himself’ in the Lord, while Paul and Silas who were in a terrible predicament, prayed and praised God and He moved on their behalf (1 Sam 30:6; Act 16:22-33).

Rom 10:13). Everything required for victorious Christian living has already been deposited within (Col 1:27; 2 Pet 1:3). Identify with Christ the victor and utilize what has already been given to us, for victory is ours by right because Jesus defeated Satan for us (Col 2:15; 1 Jn 3:8). Live in victory for “Sin shall not be your master” (Rom 6:14; Col 2:15).

Originally Satan may have thought he was victorious when humans sinned in the garden and then when Christ was crucified, with His last words being “It is finished” (Gen 3:6; Jn 19:30). God knew that Adam and Eve would fail the test, and already had a plan whereby sin could be addressed, so the words of Jesus were not a statement of defeat or resignation but of accomplishment. He was ushering in ‘the day of grace’ and a much more encompassing release from the hold of sin. We are not going into the world to win a victory, but rather going into battle with the victory already secured – our responsibility is to enforce it.

confronting the enemy and firing the slingshot but he acknowledged, “I come to you in the name of the Lord”. The enemy, only has his ‘arm of flesh’ but God is with us to help fight our battles (2 Chr 32:8)! To live victoriously, don't focus on the areas where Satan gained success over you in the past, praise God for the victory you now have over him because of Christ. It is vital to have a clear understanding of the significance of water baptism – death to the old life and resurrection with Christ to the new (Rom 6:3-7). Although we may not win every battle, we will lose every battle we don't contest.

See also: armour (spiritual), baptism (2), breakthrough, confession (2), conflict, defeat, effort, evil, name of Jesus, new/new life, over-comer, position in Christ, praise, release, sovereignty of God, spiritual warfare, temptation, valley, win.