VICTORY OVER SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS
By
Jerry Falwell
A. INTRODUCTION
Last week I told you victory is possible. Today, I want to teach you to get victory over problems.
The biggest problem facing America is not racism, corporate greed, the budget, environment factors or people being de-humanized by technology. The biggest problem is moral and spiritual decay.
George Gallup, the man who continually polls Americans says, “Our society is coming to the end
of its emotional resources.” He says when that happens, “It is inevitable that people will turn to God.” He says there is a search for spirituality.
1. Victory over spiritual laxity.
a. Spiritual victory is promised to every Christian over our old way of living. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
b. “Though our outward man perish (or is decaying), yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (II Corinthians 4:16). God can give us victory.
c. “Let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
2. Victory over desire for things. God has promised to supply all of the needs of the Christian—not all of his desires.
a. “The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want (for anything I need)” (Psalm 23:1).
b. “I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).
c. “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
3. Victory over ignorance.
a. There are many requirements of the Christian life that immature Christians do not know. This is because when we are born again, we are ignorant of God’s plan for our life. Yet, God has promised that He will guide the Christian. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:80).
b. God has said He would send the Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truths (John 16:13).
c. If we lack wisdom, we can ask God and He will give us wisdom, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:6).
4. Victory over discouragement.
a. Many Christians are defeated by their emotions. I have often said, “God cannot use a discouraged person.” Therefore, God wants us to be victorious over our depression so we can serve Him.
b. The basis of our victory over discouragement is the fact that Christ, “Hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4).
c. We are exhorted to “sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we believe Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him” (I Thessalonians 4:13-14).
d. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart” (Psalm 27:14).
e. Sometimes our discouragement turns into anger. When we are angry, our outward frustration shows lack of trust in God. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31).
f. Finally, Christians should not be internally depressed or worried. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).
5. Victory over persecution.
a. We in America have suffered very little for the cause of Christ. America has been a nation influenced by Christianity. Therefore, we have known very little persecution. But we do not know what is going to happen in the future. We should realize that we are personally promised victory when we are persecuted.
First, Jesus promised persecution. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The second basis for our victory over per-secution is the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39).
The third basis for our victory is the fact that Christ has already died for us. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).
b. God has promised that the Christian can have victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God” (I John 5:4-5).
6. Victory over Satan.
a. God has promised us that if we “resist the devil” he will flee from us (James 4:17). A little boy told his father, “Today I beat a snake.” The father asked, “Did you beat him with a rock or a stick?” The little boy said, “I beat him running.” In the same way, we should flee temptation and run from Satan. He is more powerful than any Christian. The only way we can resist him is in the power of Jesus Christ.
b. The basis by which we can defeat Satan is the fact that Jesus Christ has already judged Satan. “Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12:31).
c. The next basis of our victory over Satan is the fact that Satan shall be judged in the final day. “And the devil . . . was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast (Anti-Christ) and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
7. Victory over backsliding.
a. Some teach that once a person backslides, he can never be restored to Christ. This is not true.
b. The Old Testament tells us, “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings” (Jeremiah 3:22). At the next place God said, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4).
c. Solomon in the Proverbs said, “A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again” (Proverbs 24:16). If you are truly saved, and backslide, you can be restored.
d. Simon Peter backslid by denying the Lord three times (Matthew 26:780-74). However, after the resurrection the Lord appeared to him and the other disciples on the shore of Galilee. The Lord asked him three times, “Lovest thou me?” (John 21:15-17). Peter was restored, and Jesus told him to “Follow me.”
8. Victory over death.
a. Many people live defeated lives because they fear death. They do not want to die. In this flesh, no man wants to die. However, we have victory over death because it is promised by Jesus Christ. “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it (Isaiah 25:8).
b. The second basis for victory over death is the New Testament teaching of resurrection. “When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus” (I Corinthians 15:54-57).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Contact us and ask for a copy of The How To Book or use The How To Book Online (Falwell.com). It is a booklet that will answer many of the questions you are sure to have about living the Christian life. And when you contact us, tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you. ...
