LIFE OF VICTORY - 10

LIFE OF VICTORY – 10

It would be rare for someone to enter a time of conflict and want to lose. Victory indicates a conflict.  It isn’t long after we come into this world as a babe that we begin to make choices.  Do I do what mommy says or do I do what I want to do.  God instilled in us the right to make choices and not to be a robot.  Choosing what is “right” is the beginning of righteousness.  Obedience is a grand part of that “right.”  First it is obedience to parents.  Then it gradually grows into a choice between “self”, what “I” want or “right” in culture or “right” in God’s eyes.  We become accountable as to what we choose.  We are accountable to the public law officials; we may be accountable to friends in a certain culture or of the most importance, we all are accountable to our Maker, the Lord God.  Joshua gave a choice to the Israelites and then he gave his choice.  Josh.24:15   David also gave a good choice in Ps.84:10. 

So we find that the conflict over which we want victory lies in our choices.  To whom do we submit?  To whom do we obey?  We know the answer but the problem comes when we choose to do otherwise.  Every choice has a consequence.  Both Adam and Eve made a bad choice and the consequences changed the world forever.  Sin came into the world and God cannot be where sin is; therefore they were removed from the Garden and could no longer walk with God.  Isa.59:2   When we sin, we separate ourselves from God except for the blood of Jesus through which we have salvation.  Eph.1:7

With this series of lessons we have assumed that a person has already made the choice to become a Christian.  We have submitted to our Lord to be born again and begin a new life as we leave the choices of the past behind.  Eph.4:24; Col.3:10   It is only through the mercy and grace of God that this is possible.  We need to realize this blessing and be forever thankful for it.  Titus 3:5-7

As a Christian, do we still have conflict over which we need to obtain victory?  The answer is “Definitely.”  If we have not chosen to have Jesus as our Savior and our Shepherd to follow, Satan already has us.  When we have entered our “new life,” Satan wants us back and will do whatever is necessary to retrieve us as his slave.  Job 1:7; 1 Pet.5:8   More often than not, we do not perceive the reality of this fact.  If we don’t understand the conflict, how can we achieve the victory over it?

Our conflict is with the prince of the power of the air – Satan.  Eph.2:2   Paul emphasizes the fact that this conflict is not against flesh and blood.  He then explains what he means in Eph.6:12.  We must realize that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light – something really good.  2 Cor.11:14,15   We must make ourselves aware of his schemes in order to have this victory.  2 Cor.2:11   As a Christian, we have not been left without a way to overcome these schemes.  Eph.6:11

The armor of God defends us in Truth (1 Jhn.3:18; Eph.4:15), righteousness (2 Cor.5:21), peace (Rom.5:1; Rom.14:19), faith (Gal.2:20; Heb.11:6); salvation (Heb.5:9; 1 Thess.5:9); Word of God  (2 Tim.3:16; 2 Pet.1:20,21).

Our conflict with Satan comes in the form of temptation which is not sin in itself, but can become sin when we fall.  1 Cor.10:12   Too often we think we are so strong that we would never fall into sin.  That is pride.  We are all vulnerable.  We are all sinners.  Rom.3:23   It’s just that some have obeyed unto salvation and so have the covering of the blood of Christ upon them.  Heb.2:17  

We may think we are under greater temptation than others.  If we have the wrong companions, we may have more temptations.  If we don’t control our desires, we may have more temptations.  If we love the world, our temptations will be great and many.  1 Jhn.2:15   The next verse categorizes the types of temptations we have.  We are not alone in these.  1 Cor.10:13   Notice that they are common to man.  But a way of escape is provided.  We have to take it. 

We have to set our mind on the things that count in the end.  Col.3:2   As we are in conflict with Satan, remember Jesus words in Matt.10:28.  It is important that we do what David did.  Ps.119:11   Greater glory than we can imagine awaits us as Paul tells the Corinthians.  1 Cor.2:9    

We CAN live a life of victory.  1 Cor.15:57; 1 Jhn.5:4   May we do it!