Growing strong on the inside: developing an Overcoming Lifestyle

Pastor Hans Voortman

So many of us have been fed a version of Christianity that expects God to continually come through for us. No matter what the problem, we snap our fingers and zap, God is supposed to come out and perform like a genie out of a bottle. Certainly Christianity is about power. It is about our efforts being reinforced by an almighty God who comes to our aid and works on our behalf. But God is much more than just a celestial Santa Claus dispensing good gifts from His eternal supply. Rather, I believe He desires to make us stronger on the inside so we can overcome, carry greater loads, take on more responsibility and realise our full potential in life. He is not on about creating a church that is co-dependent on Him, but rather one that functions in dynamic interdependence with Him. As the Apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Php. 4:13).

It is this coming together of the human will and divine empowerment that makes Christianity so wonderful and dynamic. Whilst we approach God because we have need for His assistance in life, His approach to us is because He has a big plan for our Lives. He sees our potential and desires to make us better people. So often we only see the immediate - our need for God NOW, whereas He sees the big picture - He's in the process of transforming us "into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18). This is Christian maturity, which causes us, increasingly, to live in such harmony with His will and word that our responses in life are automatically in line with His purposes. Jesus personified this best when, clothed in his humanity, He could still testify, "I and the Father are one . I only do what I see the Father doing" (Jn. 14:9-13). God's purpose is not to override our individuality and infuse us with His corporate mind in some "Star Trek, Borg-like" entity, but rather to restore us to the type of image-bearers He originally intended us to be - like Adam and Eve in their pre-fall state - diverse individuals, understanding the mysteries of God's will (Eph. 1:9; Col. 1:26, 2:2-3). As Paul urges us, let us "put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" (Col. 3:10).

POWER AND TRUTH

The Christian gospel should be seen as both a power encounter and a truth encounter. It is much more than just being about a quick zap from Heaven whenever we can't cope. God wants us to live in the truth, for it is the "truth that will set you free" (Jn. 8:32). In Charismatic/Pentecostal circles we have so focussed on "power encounters" that we have developed a theology of co-dependence, almost belittling God, reducing Him to being the supplier of "fixes" whenever we need a "shot" of His power to see us through the day. At the opposite extreme of course, are those Christians who only see the gospel as a truth encounter and, like the Pharisees of old, they have reduced the gospel to the letter of the law. Paul puts it this way: "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3:6). The apostle spoke of the synergy of power and truth coming together when he emphasised, "And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me" (Col. 1:29). This is the pathway to Christian maturity; God's inspiration coupled with our striving.

Over the years I have counselled scores of people in their efforts to break loose from bondages and habits. Similarly, many struggle to overcome relationship breakdowns, personal defeats and failures. Time and again they come for counsel expecting the "quick fix", looking for a "power encounter" to solve their problems. If the answer isn't immediately attained then this theology of co-dependence demands that we didn't have enough faith or that the "anointing" is gone. Both are "blaming" responses, pointing the finger at the wrong spot. Invariably people strive to gain the power encounter they sense they need by either profound soul-searching, leading often to self-condemnation in the effort to "grow in faith", or more frequently, just changing churches, or finding some other counsellor who might be perceived as having a greater "anointing".

Yet more profoundly, what is really needed is a "truth" encounter. Just some good old fashioned nose-to-the-grindstone commitment to God's Word and the Christian disciplines. You see, the Gospel is more than just zappy power happenings. These are at times necessary and valuable, but the normal way to Christian victory and an overcoming lifestyle is much more about regular disciplined steps than giant faith leaps . Yes, justification is instantaneous at conversion - a power encounter of enormous proportions occurs as we are radically born again. But sanctification is the ongoing route to Christian maturity and it takes a lifetime of commitment. It's about daily truth encounters as we apply ourselves to God's word, the direction of His Spirit and the "renewing of our minds" (Rom. 12:2). This is no easy quick fix, but a dedication to a lifestyle of discipleship - it's the daily denying of oneself, taking up one's cross and following Jesus (Matt. 16:24). And it is exactly because it does take time, because it is attitudinal and demanding of self-discipline, that much of our western consumer "instant-everything" society resists this rigorous, challenging, yet Biblical style of Christianity. We prefer the softer option full of promises of "love, joy, peace" and "name it and claim it" prosperity.

DISCIPLINED DISCIPLESHIP

In my efforts to help bring Christians into lifestyles of sustained victory and Christian maturity, the greatest challenge is to build into them a commitment to truth as well as power. I remember well a middle-aged man who personified this challenge when he came to me with a deep desire to be free from homosexual thoughts. He was a committed Christian who, on his conversion some years earlier, had broken free from his "gay" lifestyle, yet still found himself struggling with homosexual desires. He believed he had a demonic problem and wanted the quick "power encounter" solution to cast out the demon, so he would be free at last. Rather, what followed was nearly a two-year process, amidst which there was certainly the need for deliverance. But by far the greater effort was to help this man's mind to be renewed (Rom. 12:2) from the twenty-five years of behaviour and habitual thinking processes he had lived with. It took a profound and disciplined commitment to the truth, but praise God, "the truth set him free".

Listed below are ten steps that I encouraged this man to build into his life. Some of them seemed almost obvious, others demanded more fundamental change. Yet all in all, they brought a progressive liberating of his life as he increasingly replaced old thinking patterns with new. Old habits had to be replaced by new habits. It took time and a commitment to godly principles, yet now, some five years on, this man is living a victorious Christian life freed from his homosexual thought life. These keys have helped many other people in all sorts of situations to attain an overcoming lifestyle. These keys are the core of the Christian Gospel. They are about transformation and change that is built to last. They are about building the right foundations so the house can stand (Matt. 7:24-27). They are the essence of the way a Christian is called to live. But you can't live them in your own strength. That's where the power encounter kicks in, for, "when I am weak, He is strong" (2 Cor. 12:10)! Yet as we apply ourselves, together with God's enabling, what the apostle Peter declared will be realised: "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:8).

KEYS TO PERSONAL VICTORY

Key One: Don't place yourself in a position of temptation.

You are responsible for your life! No other person can guard you twenty four hours a day. Paul says, "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (1 Thess. 5:21-22). You know your areas of weakness - you must take the responsibility for avoiding them (Prov. 16:17).

Key Two: Surround yourself with positive influences.

Light repels darkness! As we fill our lives with the things of light, our lives are purified (1 John 1:7). You are responsible for keeping your temple clean (1 Cor. 3:16-17) and there's no better way than by receiving good wholesome input to your mind and spirit (Phil. 4:8; 2:5; Ps. 119:9).

Key Three: Discipline your mind.

Your mind is a battlefield. You become what you first think (Prov. 23:6-7). Work at developing will-power - it doesn't come automatically! We are commanded to "be transformed by the renewing of (our) mind" (Rom. 12:2). Fight, seek after, hunger and strive for purity of mind (Matt. 5:6). As you develop self-discipline, God will provide His assistance in your weakness (Rom. 8:26; Ps. 16:8; 37:24; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 8:12).

Key Four: Use the Word of God as a weapon.

If we resist the devil, he will flee (Jas. 4:7)! And the best way to resist him is to quote the Word of God. Memorise verses such as those mentioned in this article and use them as protective armour when thoughts or temptation come your way (Eph. 6:13, 16-17; 1 Cor. 10:13; John 8:36).

Key Five: Watch for danger signals.

What is alright for one person may be a stumbling block for another. Beware of the things that might mislead you or entice you (1 Tim. 5:22b; Prov. 1:10). Know the danger signals and heed them (Gal. 6:7). If anything, err on the side of 'puritanism' rather than trying to find positions of compromise.

Key Six: Learn the power of daily cleansing.

Jesus taught a principle of life, recorded in Matthew, namely living day by day (Matt. 6:34). In a sense, Paul also teaches this principle (Eph. 4:26). In other words, unload each day's burdens that day - don't carry them over into tomorrow. Learn to do a daily self-audit through prayer and confession of each day's failures, wrong thoughts, etc. This is not a licence to continue in sin each day but rather, through cleansing, to learn how to maintain personal purity and integrity (Rom. 6:1-2).

Key Seven: Realise the power of confession.

If you slip up, don't languish in guilt. Repent of your sin and determine to start afresh. He who wants to take hold of the future must let go of the past! And there's no better way than to confess your sin to God (1 Jn. 1:9) and resolve afresh to pursue holiness. Again, this is not a licence to go on sinning, but rather to be released from what can often be crippling guilt and self-condemnation. There is also great power in confessing your sin to a grieved party (ie. wife, friend, parent) as it cleanses the air and allows an open and honest basis for relationship to be re-established (Jas. 5:16).

Key Eight: Keep yourself busy!

Idleness of mind is asking for trouble. Get involved in some creative projects or ministry expression that stop you being preoccupied with your own thoughts and feelings (Eccl. 10:18; Heb. 6:11-12).

Key Nine: Seek the support of other Christians.

You're not in the battle alone! Develop a support network of people who can help shield you from areas of temptation. Particularly seek the counsel of a mature Christian - if not your pastor, then someone you can trust and who will keep confidences. In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom and security (Prov. 11:14) - you can receive fresh perspective and advice from those more mature in the Lord (Rom. 15:1).

Key Ten: Pray in the Spirit.

The Spirit of God "helps us in our weakness" (Rom. 8:26). Learn the power of prayer. Rise up and draw on God's strength. Learn to live by the Spirit's power (Gal. 5:16-17). It's fantastic to know we can draw on God's resources rather than our own (Php. 4:19). This is the confidence we have: "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 Jn. 4:4).

CONCLUSION

Growing strong on the inside doesn't happen overnight, but it will happen if we resolve to pursue not only power, but truth also. Not one to the exclusion of the other, but rather the divine and the human working in harmony to fulfil God's "big-picture" view of us. Of course, this is far above anything we could ever dream or imagine for ourselves (Eph. 3:20).

"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

(1 Thess. 1:3)