THE VICTORY MENTALITY
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Anything is possible! This should be your mentality. Never think defeat, failure or weakness. Cultivate the winning mentality; the mentality that believes and affirms, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). That’s the victor’s mentality, and you develop it through the Word.
It doesn’t matter what your life has been like or the experiences you’ve had; one thing is certain: you’re a victor in Christ Jesus! Irrespective of the affliction, tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, destitution, perils, wars etc., that may be ravaging today’s world, you’re more than a conqueror: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Trust the Lord and hold on to His Word. When you go through challenges, don’t complain! The Lord knew there’d be challenges, but He gave us the assurance that we’ll be triumphant always: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Your victory is a settled fact. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”; this is a present-hour truth. Nothing is, and can ever be to your disadvantage. Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Have this consciousness! .
ABSOLUTE VICTORY IN CHRIST!
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; (Luke 1:69-71).
One beautiful thing about the salvation we have in Christ is that we have absolute victory over the enemy and can serve God without fear. We’ve been delivered from the powers of darkness and translated into the glorious Kingdom of God’s dear Son, who leads us in the paths of righteousness and in the triumphal excursions of life. Thus in Christ, your life is a victory parade. It doesn’t matter who stands against you or makes a decree against you; it doesn’t matter what they say about you or against you, you have absolute victory in Christ.
The latter part of our opening scripture says “That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.” This is God’s decree concerning you and it came into force with the coming of the Lord. It means whoever declares himself your enemy; whoever may hate you, or plan evil against you, will never be able to overpower you, for Christ is your victory. Therefore never be bothered about adversaries. You don’t even have to pray against them, for the Bible says “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell” (Psalm 27:2).
Notice the scripture above didn’t say, pray against the wicked or your enemies from coming against you; they are free to come against you. But their end has been determined: they’ll stumble and fall. There’re Christians who sometimes allow themselves to be overwhelmed by the perceived activities of some imaginary enemies. Learn to take the Lord simply at His Word! He says in Luke 10:19 “...and nothing shall by any means hurt you....” There’s absolutely no justification for a Christian to live or respond to any circumstance out of fear. Refuse to be afraid of anything or anyone.
Your victory in Christ over satan and the powers of darkness is absolute. Luke 10:19 says “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Let this inspire faith in you today, as you meditate on the victory Jesus obtained for you through His death, burial and resurrection.
PEACE IN ADVERSITY!
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
Jesus said in Luke 21:25-26 that in the last days, there’ll be perplexity of nations, men’s heart failing them for fear. It’s important that as a Christian you refuse to fear. Rather, lay hold of God’s Word, which is the antidote to fear and insecurity.
The Lord Jesus knew we would encounter difficult and trying times in the world, but He confirmed that as we remain in Him, we would live a life of peace even in times of crises. That’s why He said in our theme verse: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Let these words of the Master re-echo in your heart and create the mindset of the overcomer in you.
God’s Word gives us the assurance that we’re not alone, and that irrespective of the fiendish and dastardly manipulations of the enemy, our victory is a settled fact. As a Christian, you dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and abide in the shadow of the Almighty. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, yet no harm or evil shall befall you. Believe this truth and make it your consciousness.
Refuse to fear because God has already made you an overcomer: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). He has made His power available to you and lifted you over principalities and powers. Your faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes the world: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
PREVAILING IN THE EVIL DAY
Some people wait until trouble strikes, and then they start praying and trying to act their faith, no; faith and desperation are two different things. Such folks are merely pushing the panic button, out of desperation. They didn’t grow their faith when they needed to; hence they panicked in the day of adversity. Faith is the response of the human spirit to the Word of God; it’s not something you push from the mind; it’s from your spirit. It’s the reason you must keep inundating your spirit with the Word of God.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resiststed fast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world (1Peter 5:8-9).
This is why, as a Christian, it’s so important that you learn the Word of God in the days of peace, and have it inside you, so that in the day of crisis, you’ll be undaunted. This is because in the day of crisis, it’s only what you have inside you that’ll put you over.
Jesus gave us dominion over circumstances. Rather than be overwhelmed with fear when you face dire situations, use your faith; exercise your authority in Christ.
LIVING IN HIS VICTORY
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37).
Notice the underlined statement in the opening text. It says, “…we are more than conquerors….” This suggests that the victory over the adversary is an old conclusion, and not only that, we’re already basking in the victory; it’s already a vital part of our existence.
The reality is this: we’ve gone past the stage of celebrating our victory in Christ. We celebrated when we found out about His vicarious sacrifice on our behalf; now we’re living out that victory. “More than conquerors” means you’ve passed conquering; you’re now living in the victory; it has become your daily experience.
Take for example, an athlete who competes in the Olympics, and wins the Gold Medal. At that instant, he joyously celebrates his victory with other well- wishers. When he receives the prize-money and starts spending or living off it, it’s no longer an expression of celebration; he’s now living in it. It’s become a vital experience. So, he’s gone past “conquering” or winning the Olympic gold; he’s relishing the spoil or result of his victory, as it were. That’s our experience as being more than conquerors.
We’ve passed the level of celebrating the victory we have in Christ over sickness, poverty, defeat, and discouragements. We enjoy and live in divine health, prosperity, victory, and dominion. We’re no longer trying to find out whether we have some issues with the devil; no! We’re superior to him. Exercise your dominion over Satan, fear, sickness, discouragement and lack. Live in the victory of Christ.
The day you were born again, you were born into total and continuous victory. Therefore, live each day of your life in victory over every situation. That’s the life of the believer. Victory is your birthright. Have the consciousness that you can’t be defeated or disadvantaged. Walk in the light of your victory over the world, the devil, and the circumstances of life! Have the mindset of a victor.
VICTORY ASSURED
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)
.
How comforting and encouraging the words of Jesus in our opening text! The Master knew all about the world and its corrupt systems designed to cause frustration, misery, and failure, but assured us of victory. He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”
The road to success could be bumpy, with intense trials, challenges, and persecutions, but your victory is assured. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” But that’s not the end; 1 John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” So, you see, it doesn’t matter the challenges you face, or the strength of your persecutors; you’ve already overcome them all.
In Christ, we have peace over crises, peace in the face of adversity. That’s why He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace…” (John 16:33). All the Lord wants is that you keep your focus on Him, on His Word. In Him is every good thing you could ever need: life, health, joy, peace, victory, and glory forevermore! He wants you to live to your best potentials, and for your joy to be full!
Victory is your birthright, for He has raised you, and made you to sit together with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), far above Satan and his cohorts of darkness, and the negative influences of this world (Ephesians 1:21). Therefore, walk in the light of your victory; dominate this world and reign over circumstances.