is only as possible as we define victor.
To some, "to the victor goes the spoils". It's a war in which we become victorious over another person--an enemy who seeks to destroy us. However, that's not exactly the kind of victor I am interested in being. To do whatever it takes to win? To ignore that which is pure and holy and godly to end up with all the goodies via whatever means it takes to obtain them? No. That doesn't mean you are a victor. That just means you are the most deceptive manipulative bully. In that sense, a victor gains the "spoils"-- the enemy's treasures and belongings. The victor assumes possession of the enemy's material gains. I don't want my enemy's spoils.
My enemy is Satan. Anything he has is not worth owning. Satan is everything that is ungodly--he is the opposite of God. Why would I want to have anything he has? In fact, the Lord instructs me to resist him so that he flees. To put on the whole armor of God so that I may "stand"-- to plant my feet in the solidity of God's grace and salvation-- and not waver wherein Satan and his minions seek to devour me.
"The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him [Jesus] to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:24-26
It's important to realize as I tweet on Twitter and toss my sarcastic barbs that what I say must align with God's instruction. All too often I allow my flesh to control my fingertips as I respond to various folks and agree with some who see things the way I see things. I cannot be a victor if I walk outside of God's pleasure and instructions and mingle with those who seek to live for position and power outside of God's divine plan and purpose.
I wholeheartedly believe I am living in the last days as prophesied in God's Word:
"But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!" 2 Timothy 3:1-5
How does one avoid these people? How can we avoid them when they are at every turn in our lives? When every program we watch on television has their influence in every commercial, every news report, every sitcom and every reality show? when every social media we join has their "voice" and intrusion? When every magazine screams at us with headlines as we check out at the grocers?
Well, for me, I think it is to avoid entering the fray of their conversations. To avoid walking where they walk. To avoid listening to their music, their entertainment, the diatribes on their networks with their analysts and slanted reporting. To refuse to attend ther movies and support their lifestyles and ability to spread their poison in my life. I've come to see that playing on their playground can lead to throwing dirt and kicking sand. To be a victor in this time of history, I must climb to higher ground. I must stand on the Rock where my refuge is above the world.
And yes. I will run into many of those Timothy warns me to avoid on my journey. You will, too. The key in being a victor among them is to avoid their "kind" of conversations and speak up when necessary. If they do not hear my voice and become hostile, I kick the dust from my feet and move on. When necessary, I delete, unfriend, and block. I pray for the scales to be removed from their eyes. Then I share the "good news". Speak goodness with kindness and love. I must refuse to tolerate the intolerable. I cannot accept their arguments as instructions to preserve some politically correct position. I will refuse to fall for their accusations of hatred in the face of truth.
Above all, I cannot let them define or redefine God's Word from society's flawed understanding or culturally acceptable opinion. A victor is only victorious who rests solely upon God and His unchanging Word--regardless of world opinion and attack. He alone is our resource and refuge.~~ selahVtoday by hariette petersen