Articles, Questions, & Answers

By Eddie Smith

“For as he thinketh in his heart‚Ķ”(Pro 23:7a)

“We have a new term we are now using to describe Christians with whom we work who are recovering from abuse and trauma,” a therapist explained to a group of deliverance ministers. With a smile he said, “We no longer refer to them as ‚Äúvictims.” We now refer to them as “survivors.” To which the considerate group offered an acknowledging nod.

I raise my hand signaling a question. “Yes, Eddie?”

“I think I understand your reason for calling them survivors, rather than victims. But what happened to terms like “overcomer” and “conqueror”?” (See Rom 8:37; 1 Jn 2:13-14; 1 Jn 4:4.) Leave it to me to spoil the atmosphere.

Which are you?

Which are you? Are you a victim, a survivor, or are you an ‚Äòovercoming super-conqueror‚Äô? (”more than a conqueror”) You see, no matter which you choose, you are correct.

We’ve all suffered tragedies. If you allow your experiences to define you, you’ll likely view yourself as “a victim” or “a survivor” of tragedy, you are a victim, merely surviving. But is that any way to live!? Doesn’t sound like the abundant life Christ promised us, does it?

However, if you embrace your true identity, the identity Christ purchased for you at Calvary as “an overcoming super-conqueror,” you are positioned to live victoriously in Christ.

Face it. Victims and survivors are no match for the enemy. However, the enemy is no match for “overcoming super-conquerors”!

The lie is: “You must overcome or conquer someone or something in order to own the title.”

No, not at all. You’ve been given the title. As truly as Christ was made and became sin for you on Calvary, God has made you righteous, He’s also conferred the title to you. (See 2 Cor 5:21.)

Your title is far better than the title awarded big George Foreman by the World Boxing Association. George wasn‚Äôt “given” his title. He “earned” it. Good? Not necessarily. You see, having won the title, he was immediately susceptible to losing it.

Although Foreman was the “heavy weight champion of the world,” he had to defend the title to keep it. He was forced to live with the knowledge that he was always one defeat away from losing his identity as official champion.

You cannot earn the title.

Attention all victims and survivors. You cannot earn the title “overcoming super-conqueror.” Quit trying! If you could earn it, you‚Äôd always run the risk of losing it‚Äîby one defeat.

If we are in Christ and Christ is in us, we have already been made righteous. We don’t strive to live righteously so we can become righteous. We do so because we are righteous. It’s similar to a child-king learning and growing into his role as king. Learning and growing has to do with him becoming who he is. He was born a king and can never lose that.

Overcoming super-conqueror is a title you never earned and can never lose. Christ overcame and super-conquered the devil and his demons, and has given His title to you.

When Moses’ spies returned from Canaan with there report they had traveled the same miles, seen the same sights, had the same experiences, and shared in the same conversations. However, they brought back conflicting reports.

Giants or Bread?

Some the spies reported having seen giants. “We were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so were in their sight.” Interesting, isn‚Äôt it? Get this. The enemy sees you as you see yourself and that‚Äôs exactly how he will treat you. If the devil is treating you like a victim or survivor today, it‚Äôs simply evidence that that is how you see yourself. Victims only know how to experience victimization. Survivors only know how to survive.

If you see yourself as an overcoming super-conqueror, then that‚Äôs how the enemy sees you. Joshua and Caleb submitted a different report. They said, “Neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them (they are defenseless), and the LORD is with us: fear them not” (Num 14:9).

When you begin to see yourself as you truly are, people may think you’re crazy. In Caleb and Joshua‚Äôs case, the people tried to stone them to death for simply making the statement you just read. Be prepared. Overcoming super-conquerors often (unintentionally) intimidate defeated Christians.

Look what they said. “Those giants are bread (food) for us.” Facing them will nourish us. We’ll be strengthened by confronting them. Remember the adage, “what doesn‚Äôt kill us makes us strong?” Even Jesus didn’t pray that Satan wouldn’t “sift” Peter. He prayed that Peter’s sifting experience would strengthen him so he could strengthen others!

Sadly, until those men who identified themselves as “grasshoppers” died in the wilderness, no one was allowed to enter the Promised Land. It was “Overcoming Super-conqueror Joshua” who led Israel’s army against the Canaanites and ate them alive. (After all, they were bread.) And the Canaanites? They were terrified by Israel’s army; defenseless‚Äîhelpless.

Believer, you’ve been given an amazing identity.
You didn’t earn it. You can’t lose it.
Live it!