Today by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we will be looking at the Victor versus the Victim Mentality. And we will be looking at this in all areas as it pertains to different areas of our lives. While this message is going on, I want us to just follow the Holy Spirit as He is leading us so that we understand this mentality and where He want us to operate from and the things, He wants us to readily do so that we can maintain this mentality. And I pray the Lord will help us in Jesus name.

 

Now I want to begin by taking us to the book of John 10:10, Jesus made a statement here, I will begin my reading from verse 7. “Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came ^[a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” He said it in verse 7 and He is repeating it in verse 9; I am the door. If anyone enters by Me; Christ, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. And then in verse 10 Jesus made an emphatic statement, which introduces us into this Victor, victim mentality. Verse 10 says; “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” I want us to note very carefully the words that Jesus used in verse 10. The ‘thief’ talking about a definite person. It says does that come before Me, they are thieves-pluralizing it, and robbers.

 

But in verse 10, Jesus went specific. Jesus went definite and He was making comparison between two definite persons or personalities. He said; ‘The thief’ not a ‘A thief’. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. So, He mentioned three things we see about the thief. The thief steals, kills and destroy. Then He said ‘I’, personalizing it, have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” So, verse 10 of chapter 10, we can see Jesus giving us a definite comparison between Himself and the thief. He told us that the thief has a three-point agenda, to steal, to kill and to destroy, But He has come with a single mission and He said I have come that they may have life and not just anyhow kind of life, not a limited life, but to have it unlimited.

 

Unlimited and abundant life is the mission of God. So, John 10 verse 10 introduces us by the words of Jesus, to a mindset and to two divides that exist; the thief and Christ. I want us to note that as we go along. Now there is a definition I came across about the Victor and the victim. The Victor is a person who overcomes, or defeat an enemy or opponent. So, you can’t say you are a Victor until you overcome. So, I want us to be mindful of those word because they would serve as basis for our conversation later on. A Victor is a person who overcomes or defeat an enemy or opponent often in a battle. Usually, it’s a scenario of a battle or a competition.

 

Now who is a victim? The victim is a person robbed, attacked, cheated, foiled, harmed, injured or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other events or action. So, we have a working definition of who a Victor is, and who a victim is. Now we want to look at a victim’s mentality. Remember that in our definition, we said a victim is somebody that was robbed, attacked, harmed or injured, eventually or even killed. And in John 10 verse 10, it said a thief does not come but to steal, kill and to destroy. So, we want to look in the pages of the Scriptures, the victim mentality and the characteristics of it. So, you go with me to Genesis chapter 3 verse 1-7.

 

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” ² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

 

I want us to pause a bit there. The serpent came to the woman, the problem was not about the serpent coming to the woman. And I want us to understand this, the Holy Spirit is revealing to us the victim mentality. The problem is not that the serpent came. Because when we start to look at the Victor’s mentality, the issue is not about the serpent coming, and asking a question, and posing a challenge. No! When the serpent comes, what does it meet? For Eve, the serpent met ignorance. If you read verse two and verse three, the response of Eve shows her ignorance of the subject of conversation. It showed the ignorance of the intent of the serpent. It showed the ignorance on the understanding of the instruction they had received. So, the first characteristics of the victim mentality is the display of ignorance. She displayed ignorance, she said; we may eat but of the fruit of the tree in the garden, God has said you shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. Was that a true picture of knowledge? No! so she displayed ignorance, that’s the first attribute of the victim mentality.

 

I want us to see Hosea 4:6 and see what the Lord said about ignorance. God said there is destruction, that people perish for lack of knowledge. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Which means ignorance.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Now God said My people; was Eve one of the people of God? Yes! So, the victim mentality is not for unbelievers. When God is talking about display of ignorance, don’t say I am not ignorant, I am a child of God, I am born again. No! you can be born again and be ignorant. You can be a child of God tongue talking and be ignorant. And said this is the destiny of my people when they display Knowledge. And that’s why yesterday at the evening Bible school we were exposed to the principles that makes for our victory. So many in the body of Christ are operating in the victim mentality.  And the devil is stealing, killing and destroying destinies because of the display of ignorance by the church. And that’s what happened to Eve, she had enjoyed the presence of God, God will come in the cool of the day and fellowship with them, Eve had been fellowshipping with divinity but she still displayed ignorance. And this is the first characteristics of the victim mentality. For any one that would become a victim, the first thing is the display of ignorance. And God said this will lead to their destruction. My people are destroyed. And a victim gets destroyed because a victim is robbed, cheated, fooled. This will make for the eventual killing of that victim. Because when somebody becomes a victim, its like a roller coaster, the person will keep going in circles. Before you know the person is cheated, fooled, injured, heartbroken, the person loses his or her life. For some people they lose it physically, many people Spiritually, many people emotionally. Why? The lack of knowledge.

 

The second characteristics of a victim. Let’s continue in verse 4 of Genesis 3. “Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” What was the devil doing? The second characteristics of the victim mentality is that they are given to the lies of the devil. I want us to see 1 John 3:8. “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” For this purpose, when men sin it’s of the devil. When men believe the lie of the devil, the devil brings them into His camp.

 

Because when we look at sin, we must understand what sin is. Sin means rebellion, anyone that sins is a sinner. In the kingdom, rebellion is sin. Even though to you, it feels its not rebellion. Rebellion is not sin in the eyes of the citizens; it is sin in the eyes of the king. So, who defines rebellion in the kingdom? Is it the citizens or the King? So, when the devil sinned in the beginning, he felt he was having a lofty idea, he had not done it, he was thinking it in his heart and he was communicating his thoughts with the angels that how will it feel that I rise above the stars of God? How will it feel that I am commanding what God is commanding? They were thoughts, it was not the angels that judged him a rebel, it was God. The same way as children of God, God is the one that determines what is sin. And the Bible says here, that he who sins, he who rebels; so, there are two divides, its either you believe the lies of the devil, or you believe the truth of God.

 

But once you pitch tent with the lies of the devil, you have taken sides. And that’s why the Bible says he who sins is of the devil. Because he has been attracted by the lies of the devil, and we will see that that’s what happened to eve.  A victim is one that is given over to the lies of the devil. So, let’s go back to that Genesis 3. Let’s read verse 6. So, when the woman saw (the devil painted a picture and she saw it, she was caught in the web of the lies of the devil, and) when she saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Now when the lies of the devil was introduced and she was captured by it, what happened automatically was that she was eroded of her faith and trust in God. You can’t believe the lies of the devil and trust God, its not possible. So, a victim will display lack of trust in God- Faithlessness. 

 

When she became swayed by the lies of the devil, she lost faith and confidence in God. So, we saw that in verse 6, it said; and she saw-the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. The last attribute of the victim mentality is that; a victim gets into lust, and pride. Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life. 1 John 2:16. “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” And the devil is the prince of the world. So, a victim falls into lust and pride. So, for that person to continue to be a victim that mentality is sustained. And there is a way the devil sustains that mentality. Let’s go back to that Genesis 3:7. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” Is it the covering of God or the covering of men? A victim’s mentality is sustained by a covering. Some people are suffering but they don’t know, they are victims but they don’t know. I have met somebody before that was just sharing with me and she was saying that she doesn’t believe that her husband should not beat her. If her husband stops to beat her it means her husband is having affair outside, her husband doesn’t love her again.

 

I looked at her with pity because that’s a victim mentality. She has sewed for herself fig leaves, she’s naked and does not know she is naked. Because victims are always naked, because they are injured, fooled, cheated, harmed, robbed. This woman has been robbed of her dignity and she did not know it. Because she has sowed for herself fig leaves as a covering. So, victims are always perpetuated in their mentality by covering of fig leaves that they have sown for themselves. They tell themselves its not that bad. Maybe you come across them and you tell them the way you are living your life is not Okey, they will tell you, you are the one saying that. They are usually comfortable; they live their lives adjusting to the malfunctioning of their system.

 

So, the devil keeps them perpetually in that system, not making them see the true picture of what they look like and how they look like. That’s the victim mentality. You can’t be in that mentality, and trust God. You can’t have that mentality and walk in the victory that Jesus has obtained for us. So, it is possible as a believer to have this kind of mentality. This is the check list; do you display ignorance? Do you believe the lies of the devil? Do you demonstrate faithlessness? And are you carried away and swayed with the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life?

 

Let’s go on and see the Victor mentality because that is the crux of the matter. We will observe and look at that from Matthew 4 I will read verse one to 11. “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. ³ Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” The same way that the serpent came to Eve-the victim, was the same way that the devil came to Jesus. So, the problem is not the devil coming, the problem is not the serpent visiting, what does the serpent meet when he comes. Verse 4; “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” the first characteristics of a victor is knowledge. Jesus demonstrated knowledge. The devil came, because you may want to ask, why should the devil come after 40 days fast? And He was actually hungry.

 

So, there are situations and time when you will be in, when it looks as if we are in the heights of our spiritual sensitivity, and our mentality Is checked whether you will become a victim or a Victor will depend on how you answer. And the Bible says But He answered; Jesus answered in knowledge. James 4:7, we want to see the importance of knowledge. It says; “Therefore submit to God-submit to the knowledge of God, submit to the wisdom of God, submit to the understanding of who God is, it said once you are able to do that, Resist the devil; you resist the devil with this knowledge, and what did the Bible say? and he will flee from you” The devil’s coming is not the issue, have you submitted to the knowledge of God? Have you submitted to the will of God concerning you? Do you know what God has said concerning you? Do you know who you are in God? Knowledge!

 

In that Hosea 4:6 God said My people perish, for lack of knowledge. So, if you are going to flip it around; My people are saved, my people overcome, my people are able to defeat the devil, because they have knowledge. When you submit to the knowledge of God we walk in victory. In Proverbs 9:10, the Bible says:

 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

 

What do you know? What you know is what sets you on the path of victory. What do you know? How much do you know? Do you know the right thing? Do you have the knowledge of the Holy One? That gives you understanding in the Battle field. Do you have that knowledge? So, to be a Victor perpetually, to remain in that mentality of a Victor, you must have knowledge, you must crave for knowledge, you must be desirous of the knowledge of the Holy One that makes for your victory. Romans 8:37, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” There is a means through which our victory comes. Through Him Jesus that loved us. So, you must know Him. Apostle Paul said; my desire is to know Him, that I may know Him, I am determined to know Him, when you know Him, you will know how-to walk-in victory.

 

Let us continue with verse 5 of Matthew 4. “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written” Do you know the first time he came to Him plainly, because he wanted to test His knowledge. He said you are hungry, and you are the Son of God, turn this stone into bread. Then Jesus revealed knowledge. Now this time, the devil is also coming with Knowledge. Because you can’t perpetuate your victory just having knowledge without the truth. The devil came with knowledge, he said; “For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” He came with a Scripture. Justifying the reason for his lie. But Jesus said to Him, this is the truth; it is not enough to have knowledge, this is the truth. To be a Victor, you must have the truth. Jesus said to him: It is written again, Scriptures interpreting Scriptures, that’s the truth. It is written again; you shall not tempt the Lord your God.

 

As a Victor you must have the truth.  The truth sets you on the path of victory. In John 8:32, Jesus made a statement, it said; “And you shall know the truth, you won’t just have knowledge, you will know the truth and what will the truth do for you? the truth shall make you free.”  It is not enough that you have saved by knowledge, you must be made free by the truth. It is not enough that you are not destroyed because you have knowledge, you must be set free. That is how to walk in perpetual victory, that is the mentality of a victor-walking in the truth. But the devil did not stop. Verse 8; “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

 

Jesus demonstrated His trust in God. The devil came with an enticing temptation, see all these things, I will give it to you, after all you came to be rich, let me give you the riches early, let me make it happen for you. Then He said if God will not make it happen for me, I don’t want it. A Victor will demonstrate faith and trust in God. That’s a mentality of a Victor, always demonstrating his or her faith and trust in God. 1 John 5:4. This is how we demonstrate our mentality as Victors. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.” — our trust in the personality of God. A Victor’s mentality is in faith and trust in God, no matter what the person is going through, no matter what the devil is whispering, in his or her ears; dogged faith and trust in God.

 

Verse 11 of Matthew chapter 4. “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” The last characteristics of a Victor is humility. Devil does not stay around humble people. Once he sees he cannot get you in pride, he can’t get you in lust, he will leave. The devil left Him because there was no ambition, there was no desire to be great outside God. The devil left Him, why? Because of His humility. When Eve fell victim, it said and they sewed fig leaves to cover themselves. The covering of a Victor is the presence of God. Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and covered Him. Ministering spirits that stand in the presence of God, they came with the presence of God to cover Him. When you operate in the Victor’s mentality, you are covered with the presence of God. This is why humility is very important; let us see James 4:10. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

 

Let God see the posture of your heart before Him, and He will lift you up, He will do for you what no man can do for you, He will cover you with His presence. Proverbs 22:4. “By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.” No shame, no disgrace. That’s the mentality of a Victor. And in Philippians 2:5-11, we can do that reading in our private moments. The Bible says; “Let this mind-let this mentality be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” The mentality that Jesus portrayed in Matthew 4, let it be in you as it was in Christ Jesus. This should be your mentality as you walk the face of the earth. This should be your mentality, in your daily dealings, let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. Jesus recognizes and covers overcomers. If you read through Revelations chapter 2, when Jesus was addressing the seven churches and was writing letters to them, He said; “he that overcomes” meaning that he that is a Victor, He starting listing the things that He would do, the things that He would give to them. So, we have been called as overcomers, we have been called to this Victor mindset. We have been called to live this life.

 

I will love to read 1 John 5 I will read from verse 4. It says; “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵ Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus—he that has this knowledge that Jesus is the Son of God” He that has that knowledge not just in his head but it is a mentality. Do we want to operate as victims or as Victors? Do we want to allow this mind that is in Christ to be in us? Do we want to become overcomers and conquerors? If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, your victory can be denied. Because the devil comes to steal, to kill and to destroy, but Jesus has come to give you life.

 

Do you want to accept that life this morning? Now is the time!

 

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Lara Gboyega Adedeji!

Feel free to share your thoughts or testimony in the comment box below. I promise to respond to them as soon as possible!