“Victims or Victors”

Edward Christian Church

27 May 2014

Victim Mentality is an Epidemic in the World today –
It has even Moved into the Church World –
There are Real Victims in this World – of Crime, Discrimination, Injustice –
However Victimization is an Attitude that Shrinks Back from Taking Responsibility-
Victimization says- It’s Not my Fault!
–Everything that Happens to You May Not Be Your Fault
But How You Respond to Life’s Circumstances and Challenges is Your Responsibility –
You Make the Choice - “Victim or Victor” …Which Will It Be?
Below is Several Choices that Draw a Line Between Victor and Victim…

“They took away what should have been my eyes (but I remembered Milton's Paradise). They took away what should have been my ears, (Beethoven came and wiped away my tears) They took away what should have been my tongue, (but I had talked with god when I was young) He would not let them take away my soul, possessing that I still possess the whole.”

~ Helen Keller

VICTIM	VICTOR
Says- “I Can’t”	Says- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”	Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”
Says- “It’s Not My Fault”	Says- “I am Responsible for My Actions”	Romans 14:12, “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God”
Lives in Fear	Walks by Faith	2 Cor 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight”
Sees Problems	Sees Opportunities	Prov 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing..
Strikes Back	Turns the Other Cheek – Gives God Room to Work	But I tell you, don't resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. But I tell you, don't resist an evildoer. On thecontrary, if anyone slaps you on your right heek, turn the other to him also. Matt 5:39 HSV
Harbors Resentment	Forgives as God has Forgiven him	Eph 4:32 NLT Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you
Gives Up	Presses on	"Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because e Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world." John 4:4 (Amplified Bible)
offers Excuses	Sets an Example	1 Timothy 4:12 ESV Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity
is Reactive	is Proactive	Romans 12:21 (KJV) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Says- “the Odds are Against us”	Says- “If God be For us, Who can be Against us?”	Romans 8:31 (KJV) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged.

Helen Keller