Victorious Living, Part 1

With the advent of salvation, the believer begins a new life. This is sometimes referred to as the "Christian Walk" - that is, the believer walks with Jesus from then on. In other words, the believer goes where Jesus leads him, and Jesus is there with him, no matter life's circumstances. This companionship is effected by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Christian walk is also called "walking in the Spirit". The Spirit leads us in the path of Jesus. Consistently following Him is also called a "victorious life", meaning that we get victory over our sin. But this is not enforced on the believer. We have the free will to refuse to follow.

With the resurrection of our spirit, our adoption by God, and all the power of Almighty God resident within us through the Holy Spirit, how is it that so many Christians have trouble living a vital, Godly, victorious life? I believe this can be attributed to one or more of these three things: ignorance, doubt, and stubbornness.

Our enemies
However, before we can address those things, I think it will be helpful to consider what is arrayed against us. These enemies hinder people from becoming believers, and try to reduce the effectiveness of those who are. Our common enemies are the world, the flesh, and the devil.

The Devil. As discussed previously, the Devil himself is probably not going to directly interact with you unless you are a major world leader. But his forces (demons) do interact with average people. However, they almost always do so in disguise. They can possess people, although I have no idea how common this is, nor what (if anything) non-believers can do to allow or prevent it. Fortunately, believers cannot be possessed because the Holy Spirit lives in a believer and a demon cannot force itself into the Presence of the Spirit of God. However believers that mess around with things they shouldn't, might be oppressed by demons. And sometimes demons will attack believers, though usually indirectly. Remember that we are in a spiritual battle and there are spiritual forces that oppose us.¹ However, it is akin to cleanup operations after a war is won. Jesus won the victory over all the enemy forces when He rose from the dead. But after a war, there are always some holdouts from the side that lost. Besides the original assault on humanity in the garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation, the forces of evil have been busy in the world, blinding people to the truth, teaching lies in the guise of truth, and corrupting every good thing that they can.

The World. The use of the term "the world" is used in the Bible to indicate one of two things: The God-created world (the Earth and all life on it), and the Devil-created world (the basic sinful nature of humankind). The first is used by Jesus when He said "for God so loved the world..."², meaning that God loved His creation, and especially mankind. The latter is the meaning typically used in the New Testament, and what we will discuss here. This world is something we deal with constantly. It is the politicosociophilosophical framework in which the people in the world live. It is the combination of forces, led astray by the evil one and his minions, that teach error, provide temptations, and blind people to the truth. Sometimes it is obvious: pornography, murder, theft, greed, hatred, faction, addiction, and so forth. But it is also often very subtle, consisting of small compromises that people are enticed to make. Perhaps a person won't watch outright pornography, but they will happily watch raunchy movies. Perhaps a person would never shoplift, but they have no problem taking office supplies from their employer. Perhaps a person would never murder someone, but they have no problem assassinating someone's character with gossip. The influence of the culture is pervasive and insidious, calling us to further and ever greater compromises.

Entertainment is probably the most powerful influence that the world wields today. In itself, entertainment is neither good nor bad. But it is unsurprising that the world has twisted it to its own ends. Music is especially important in that the words that accompany it often enter the mind through a different mental "gateway" than reading or hearing the words without music. Even supposedly "Christian" music is often the purveyor of worldly attitudes and doctrinal error. We cannot assume that because something is labeled "Christian" that it is automatically spiritually wholesome. Likewise, modern novels tend to aggressively promote a worldly perspective. And then there are movies, television, and streaming. These are carefully crafted to subtly manipulate people toward anti-Biblical beliefs. I've talked to people who shun the "Harry Potter" movies as being unchristian, but have no problem watching "Star Trek" series and movies. Frankly, the former is far less anti-Christian than the latter. On the other hand "Harry Potter", though not be as bad, still contains little positive content. It does one no good to avoid the bad if the rest of what one consumes is "empty calories". But my main point is the lack of discernment on the part of some people and how they strain out gnats and then swallow elephants whole. Therefore, we must be thoughtful about any entertainment what we consume. Even the (supposedly) neutral news is going to present a view of reality that is slanted toward their sociopolitical views. A believer who completely immerses himself in these influences, cannot maintain a vital Christian walk. His perspective and attitude will be warped by them.

This doesn't mean that one should hide under a rock and avoid all interaction with the world to avoid being stained by it. Every believer is here for a reason and we cannot accomplish our tasks unless we are out in the world. Watching popular movies or listening to popular music can actually be helpful in preparing us to relate to people in the world. However, one must exercise discernment and avoid the bad while searching out things which are a positive influence. Understand what the world is saying - don't just let music or movies enter your mind without challenge. Everything you hear should be compared to the Bible, which is our yardstick of truth. Don't know the Bible very well? Then that is the real problem. Also consider taking a class (or reading a book) on movie making so that you can understand how the camera angles, soundtrack, and messaging are being used to manipulate your emotional state and make you more subject to the subliminal intent of the world. In other words: be mindful, be informed, and don't allow yourself to be manipulated. Be very wary of the corrupting nature of what the world offers.

Unsaved people, operating under the unrestricted influence of the world, may throw you in jail or kill you, depending upon where you live. Even in areas of the world where this is unlikely, you can still lose your job, your popularity, your friends, or your family members. You might lose money. And with the eroding of JudeoChristian foundations of western culture, the time may be near where you will face jail for living a Christian life. Remember: Jesus was tortured and murdered in a gruesome manner. As His followers, we may be called to a similar fate. This is also part of the cost that a person must consider before committing his life to Jesus.

The Flesh. Of course, the culture would be powerless if not for our flesh. That is, our old fallen nature. This would be a problem even without the world. Just because we have been given power over it doesn't mean that it isn't a constant source of temptation. We could blame our thoughts of lust on the provocative way a woman dresses, but that can only serve as a temptation - the fantasy of lust in our minds is entirely due to our flesh - we cannot blame the woman (or anyone else for it). Nor can we blame a demon. Demons cannot control a believer, so the worst they could do is tempt us. Again, it is our own flesh that gives into the temptation and commits the sin.

We do not sin because of a "demon of lust", or because "the driver just cut me off". We sin because our flesh tempts us to lust, hate, murder, steal, gossip, and defraud others, and then we give into that temptation. Blaming another person, the world, or the devil is blame shifting away from us so we don't have to take responsibility. It is how we justify the sin. But if we do not own our sin, neither can we own the forgiveness of God. If your sin is everyone and everything else's fault, then why would you need Jesus to die for you? Such a childish view is not held by God.

Nor can we use the excuse that we are "stressed out", or sick, or "going through a tough time". These extenuating circumstances merely reveal what is true beneath the surface image that we present to those around us (and sometimes we believe our own press). Such challenges strip away the facade and expose where we need work. I think that God sometimes allows these things in order to conform us more to the image of Jesus. But we cannot excuse our flesh because something caused us to expose it.

We must understand that the old man is unredeemable and will be with us until we are glorified in heaven. The only difference between a new Christian and a mature one is the mature one is better at following the Spirit, Who always takes us in the opposite direction that our old nature wants to go. This isn't a "one and done" deal - it is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, year-after-year struggle to continuously win victory over our utterly selfish nature. Fortunately, the Spirit gives us the power to win out over the flesh. But the constant fight can grind down one's resistance.

Besides tempting us to do or think things that we shouldn't, the flesh is also a source of inertia. It can sap our motivation to do what we should. Many times I have felt like I was dragging an anchor behind me to either go to church or other activities. But I was also glad after I went, because I was blessed. Even after going through this dozens of times, I still felt inertia about going, despite knowing that I was always glad to have done it after the fact.

Here is an important point: Godliness isn't about how much you know, how long you've been saved, how often you go to church, or anything other than how obedient you are to the leading of the Spirit. As time goes on we should be better and better at following where He leads, but I've met people that have been Christians for decades who are less Godly than others that have only been Christians for a couple of years. The difference has to do with how obedient they are.

Basic causes of not living victoriously
Let's now consider the three things that prevent us from successfully living in the Spirit: ignorance, doubt, and apathy. It is in the interest of all three of our common enemies to promote these. It is vital that the believer avoid them.

Ignorance. Ignorance of spiritual matters is a great evil in the church. It is combated by spending quality time in the Bible. This doesn't mean merely running your eyes over the text and calling it good. No, one must pay attention to what is said, compare it to one's own attitudes and behaviors and allow it, under the Spirit's guidance, to change our perspective by correcting unbiblical beliefs and attitudes. When we understand things aright, our thinking and behavior will automatically change. We gain the ability to recognize and discern between good and evil. If your perception of God is wrong, your interactions with Him (or lack thereof) will also be wrong. If your perception of your fellow humans is wrong, your interactions with them will also be wrong. If your self-perception is wrong, you will instinctively act in self-destructive ways - often without even recognizing the fact. As a man thinks, so he is.³ So think right. Which means: don't be ignorant of spiritual matters. It is hard to walk in faith when we are ignorant.

Doubt. Doubt is the absence of trust in God. Much doubt derives from ignorance or temptation. But even in the absence of those two, it all comes down to a choice. We choose to trust God, or we choose not to. A Christian's faith is never "blind". We have evidence from scripture and from our own experience that God is good and all-powerful. If He were powerful but not good, then we would be in trouble. If He were good, but not powerful, His goodness would be without effect. But He is both⁴ - and we have plenty of evidence of it. So, even if a particular "act of faith" means stepping out into the unknown, we have good reason to believe that God will not let us fall, even if it seems "crazy" from the world's perspective. Note: this doesn't mean you should go around doing foolish things - God does not reward foolishness. But if there is clear direction from God, we need to make the choice to trust Him and obey. And we need to remember that the temporal drawbacks of leaving our comfort zone and/or being mocked do not begin to compare to the rewards that we will receive from God. Also note that faith is like a muscle - it becomes stronger the more that we exercise it. And God will give us opportunities for that exercise until we fully trust Him in all things.

Apathy. Apathy is the sad consequence of both ignorance and doubt, especially applied over long periods of time. It could indicate that we have been distracted by the trifles of the world and have become engrossed in them rather than spiritual things. Apathy can also be an indication that someone does not have the Spirit living in their heart. The Spirit convicts the believer and makes him uncomfortable when he is not following where the Spirit leads. If you can live like the world and feel no compunction about it, your soul may be in danger of eternal loss. Feeling conviction is a sign of the Spirit working in your heart. It isn't a feeling of worry about being found out. It is the realization that you have gone your own way instead of being obedient to God - and there is a deep unrest in your soul about that. It goes beyond mere attacks of conscience that come from an inner recognition of doing breaking God's commands, which most humans experience. It may be the recognition that your attitude is one of complaining instead of being thankful to God. It may have nothing to do with anything you've done - no one observing you could see you do anything bad. But the Spirit searches your thoughts and attitudes and convicts you when they are wrong. Unsaved people do not have that kind of thought process, because the flesh easily justifies its attitudes such that worldly thoughts and attitudes seem perfectly reasonable.⁵ In fact, anything to the contrary seems unreasonable and is only likely to come to their attention if something external forces them to face it.

Do not be confused about this: when you get saved, God ruins you for the world. You can no longer find satisfaction in the things of the world, because the Spirit in you will not leave you in peace when you are not following Him. No one finds lasting satisfaction in the world, which is why people medicate themselves with drugs, or alcohol, or various other additive behaviors (even though sin is satisfying for a while).⁶ But with the believer, it isn't even satisfaction for a moment because the whole time, we are pulling away from our only source of peace. Sadly, some people seem to be able to live with this uncomfortable situation for extended periods of time, but God has a way of disciplining us when we do so. And if we continue to go our own way, that discipline becomes ever more insistent and painful. And perhaps, ultimately, He will take such a disobedient child home to heaven "early".⁷ As a consequence, I don't think apathetic believers stay that way for long.

Thus, I suspect that most long-term apathetic "Christians" aren't Christians at all. That is to say, they have added Jesus to their life, but have never surrendered to Him as their Master. Doing Christian "things" like prayer or church attendance serves as "fire insurance" to keep them out of hell when they die. But they lack power over their flesh. They may even live relatively moral lives, but it is either for show or they think it obligates God to let them into heaven. They may have all the outward forms of Godliness, but they deny the power of God to change their hearts. Paul goes so far as to say that Christians should have nothing to do with such posers.⁸

To summarize, the Christian life may be simple, but it isn't easy. Remember that we are in a war - not on a holiday. There are forces arrayed against us that we'd have no chance of standing against without the power of God. Fortunately, we do have God's power operating in us through the Spirit - and that power overwhelms anything our enemies can throw at us.

1 Ephesians 6:12
2 John 3:16
3 Proverbs 23:7
4 Psalm 62:11-12
5 1 Peter 4:3-4
6 Hebrews 11:25
7 1 Corinthians 11:30, Acts 5
8 2 Timothy 3:5