A VICTOR, NEVER A VICTIM

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” – 1Corinthians 15:57

In Christ, I am a VICTOR, NEVER A VICTIM: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor.15:57). Our Lord Jesus Christ has made us Victors, not victims. He took on sin and death as His enemies and ours. In dying, He became their victim; but in rising from the dead, He turned sin and death into victims, and became the Eternal Victor: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (v. 54). Because He rose, we who believe are no longer victims. He gave us His death, resurrection, life, and Victory! No matter what we are going through, we are Victors, and not victims. Ultimately, He’ll raise our dead bodies to endless life: “the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed” (v. 52b). 

A Victor is one who defeats an enemy or opponent in a battle, a game, or other competition. In contrast, a victim is one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force; one that is subjected to injury, oppression, hardship, or mistreatment. He or she has given up control, freedom, and power to the wrong people or forces, and to unexpected and unfortunate circumstances in life. A Victim lets life happen to him or her, while a Victor makes life happen for him or her. We may never have defeated an enemy or won a war, but Jesus has, and that makes us Victors: “this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1Jh.5:4b). We might have begun life’s journey as victims, but we can enter the Promised Land as Victors!

We should learn from Biblical and practical examples of people who overcame victimhood to become Victors; who took intentional steps to overcome defeat, despair, and discouragement. Once we realize that we are victors and not victims, we begin to see life differently. We’re no longer condemned or stuck in the past, but confidently move forward into a future of freedom: “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Rom.6:14). Christ died for every past, present, and future sin. If we’ll repent and confess; no sin is too severe to not forgive and cleanse (1Jh.1:9). Sin still stings and hurts, but we can move on past sin and towards Christ, in whom there is no condemnation (Rom.8:1).

God does not intend that we remain powerless victims of negative thoughts and emotions. His Word is able to demolish victim mentality and quicken in us the Victor’s Mentality. Much has to do with our faith-life. Everyone experiences setbacks, detours, and rough patches on the journey of life, but not everyone comes out the same. Some soar and manifest as victors while others crawl through life as victims. Everyone has a choice. There is a difference between acknowledging our pains and struggles and being defined by them. A person with victim mentality accepts, confesses, copes with, and is defined by negativity, hopelessness and helplessness. The Victor sees the purpose in the pain, and the training in the trial.

In the mighty Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I declare that:

I am a Victor, not a Victim – a Victor on Royal parade. I am a Victor in spiritual warfare and in all battles of life.

I possess the inner strength to rise from the dust of defeat and lay hold on the Victory that Christ has won for me.

I am victorious over the devil, all demonic forces, the human agents of Satan, and the evil, diabolical world system.

I thank God, Who always leads and lifts me to triumph in Christ, and saturates my life to the extent that I diffuse the fragrance of His glory and the aroma of His revelation knowledge everywhere I go and in everything I do (2Cor.2:14).

One distinctive quality of the Victor is steadfastness in walking with and working for God: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (v.58).