SPIRITUAL VICTIMS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    We hear a lot today about individuals being “victims.”

 

B.      The definition of “victim” is:  “one who suffers from an injurious or destructive action or agency.”

 

C.     The thought behind the idea of being a victim is this

1.      A person can blame someone else for their failure, shortcomings, and lack of success.

2.      The individual can petition for blessings and entitlements because he/she was a victim.

 

D.    Here is a thought:  Often individuals can be responsible for their victimization.  In other words, some individuals victimize themselves.

 

E.      This can happen in the spiritual realm.  We have entitled this lesson:  “Spiritual Victims.”  Let’s examine some of the ways individuals victimize themselves in the spiritual realm.

 

I.                   A FAILURE TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE

 

A.    Knowledge is defined as:  “acquaintance with facts, truths, and principles.”

 

B.      The Bible exhorts us to get knowledge.

1.      Proverbs 8:10

 

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

 

2.      Proverbs 23:12

 

Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

 

3.      Colossians 1:10

 

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

 

4.      II Peter. 1:5

 

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.

 

5.      II Peter 3:18

 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and for ever.  Amen.

 

C.     There are several ways of being spiritually ignorant.

1.      Those who have never been taught (Athenians, Acts 17:23)

2.      Those who have been taught, but still do not understand (Jews, Rom. 10:3; Saul of Tarsus, I Tim. 1:13).

3.      Those who have been taught, understand, but choose to be ignorant (false teachers, II Pet. 3:5).

 

D.    Ignorance harms in numerous ways.

1.      It keeps some from believing in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  Those who do this are fools.

2.      It keeps individuals in a life of sin.  Those who do this ruin their lives.

3.      It keeps individuals from obeying the Word of God.  Those who do this die with stained souls.

4.      It causes individuals to teach things contrary to the truth.  Those who do this are known as false teachers.

5.      It causes individuals to accept teachings that are contrary to the truth.  Those who do this are sheep of an evil shepherd.

6.      It will cause some people to lose their souls eternally.  Those who do this live in torment and regret, and weeping and gnashing of teeth throughout eternity.

 

II.                REFUSING TO BE ONE WHO LABORS DILIGENTLY

 

A.    The ones who rise to the height of a profession are the ones who have strained and toiled to become one of the best.

 

B.      The Bible exhorts us to be like the ant (Prov. 6:6a).

 

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise…

 

C.     The Bible also exhorts us to work diligently relative to our spiritual lives.

1.      Romans 12:11

 

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

 

2.      Hebrews 6:11-12

 

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:  that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 

D.    In the church, we find several categories of individuals.

1.      The “one-hour” pew-sitter.

2.      The “two-hour” pew-sitter.

3.      The “three-hour” pew-sitter.

4.      The “four-hour” pew-sitter.

5.      The “do one thing” worker.

6.      The do only what I like worker.

7.      The occasional “fill-in.”

8.      The “make excuses why I can’t” member.

9.      The “I know others will do it” member.

10.  The “hide my talent” member.

11.  The “committed, sacrificial, ‘here am I send me,’ just tell me what to do, and the labor in secret” worker in the Lord’s vineyard.

 

E.      In the Parable of the Talents, we often focus on the one talent man.

1.      The parable itself focuses on him.

2.      He, however, was condemned when the other two were commended.

a.      The five talent man (Matt. 25:20)

 

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

 

b.      The two talent man (Matt. 25:22)

 

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents:  behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

 

c.       Question:  “What did they do to double their talents?”  Work?  Struggle?  Sacrifice?  Long hours?  Persistence?  Pain?  Tears?  Storms?  Disappointments?  Hardship?  Learning? 

 

F.      No labor, no fruit.

No labor, no success.

No labor, no commendation.

No labor, no reward.

No labor, no rest.

No labor, no eternal joy.

 

III.             FAILING TO MAKE WISE CHOICES

 

A.    Making choices is what life is all about.  We make choices from the night before we get up until we go to bed at night.

 

B.      Several passages of Scripture emphasize the necessity of choice?

1.      Exodus 32:26

 

Who is on the Lord’s side?  let him come unto me.

 

2.      Deuteronomy 30:19

 

…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:  therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

 

3.      Joshua 24:15

 

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve…

 

4.      I Kings 18:21

 

…How long halt ye between two opinions?  If the Lord be God follow him:  but if Baal, then follow him…

 

5.      Matthew 6:24

 

No man can serve two masters:  for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, despise the other…

 

 

 

 

C.     In the spiritual realm, we have choices that will either make us or break us.

1.      Satan?  Or, God?

2.      Self?  Or, the Christ?

3.      Mammon?  Or, our soul?

4.      Flesh?  Or, the Spirit?

5.      The world?  Or, the kingdom?

6.      The doctrines of men?  Or, the doctrine of Christ?

7.      Life here?  Or, life in the world to come?

8.      Sin?  Or, righteousness?

9.      To be unprofitable?  Or, to be profitable?

10.  Hell?  Or, heaven?

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    The victim

1.      Fails acquire knowledge

2.      Refuses to labor diligently

3.      Fails to make wise choices.

4.      NOTE:  He has only himself to blame.

 

B.      The victor

1.      Obtains knowledge

2.      Labors diligently

3.      Makes wise choices

4.      NOTE:  He plays a major role in his success.

 

C.     Some might say that we are teaching works salvation.  Or, could it be we are saying that man must save himself as the Bible teaches?

1.      God says knowledge is essential in salvation (I Tim. 2:4).

 

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

2.      God leaves the choice of salvation up to man (Matt. 11:28; Rev. 3:20).

 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

3.      God tells us to labor to enter into the rest He has provided (Heb. 4:11).

 

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.