Special Edition: Victimhood
Victimhood
Society has always used the term victim as a code word that erases personal responsibility. Victims cannot do anything about their situations, so they might complain, moan, get angry, gossip, and even start wars.
The president of Russia continues to play the victim card as he blames the West for creating an alliance in Europe that threatens Russia's security.
If the victim card is played, hundreds of lives will be affected, millions of dollars wasted, and the hope and dreams of many will be crushed.
When we watch the news and hear national leaders speak, we often see the platform of victimhood their standing on. Pregnant women are “victims” of being female, and therefore subject to becoming pregnant. Medical personnel who do not want to kill the baby, or abort the baby, are creating a lifelong “victim” of the mom for taking away her choice.
Depending on the time and place in history you live, your race or gender can make you a “victim.”
These kinds of victims live life continually looking for others to change so their lives will be better. Essentially, they are trying to control people and are extracting their significance and security from this control. Then, when they fail, they rally, shout louder, gather larger crowds, assemble armies at borders, or whatever it takes to force those they see in control to suffer loss.
When change happens, it usually does not occur because they proved their point as correct, but because those they protest against are tired of their continual moaning and protests.
People are created to love, not to use. If we use people to control them for our satisfaction, we are evil. If we use people to give us a reason for our hatred, or to justify our sins or sinful lifestyle, we are wrong.
People are to be loved, not used, and any time we begin to manipulate or coerce people, we are using them.
Political leaders, business leaders, and even church leaders can be those who manipulate rather than love to protect what they want or to somehow become significant and secure in their power.
Indeed, some people would fit the definition of victims who are certainly victims. Many times in our lives, things happen that are totally out of our control. The personal toll passed onto people during these times can be devastating.
Yet, acting like a victim gives the event or person an unhealthy place in our lives.
If we could take a moment and step away from our emotions, and examine what we know happens to people in the world we live in, we would prepare more and be positioned to ride out the unexpected.
We know all people are sinful. We know that sin separates us from God, each other, and everything good. Therefore, when we sin, or when anyone sins, there will be a price to pay.
God knew that we were sinners. He knew that our sin separated us from Him, and He sent His only Son to make sure we had a way to enter into life as it is meant to be.
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-9 (ESV)
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
He did not wait for us to fix ourselves. He did not wait for us to admit our evil. He did not wait for us to honor Him properly as God. Instead, when He saw the need, He met the need.
I could continue to live as a victim and blame God for setting up a system that would cause me to fail. I could talk about my sins in a way that makes it sound like I have no real choices, and, in essence, blames God for the bad decisions of my life.
This poor thinking will estrange me more from God, and my life will become more and more miserable.
When Jesus was asked why He came, He said He came to give us life.
He did not proclaim anything about just keeping us out of hell, but He focused on what He could give us.
God loved, so God gave.
John 10:10-11 (ESV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 3:16-17 (ESV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
We say we love, yet we continually want to claim victimhood and helplessness. This should not be.
There are many examples in the Scriptures of those who understood God's sovereignty, His love, power, mercy, grace, and eventual victory. They lived as conquers, even though the Godless world tried to eliminate them.
Today, some love God and are beaten, imprisoned, sold into slavery, and worse. Yet, they do not live as victims. (https://www.persecution.com)
Once you become a victim, you are controlled by something or someone that will destroy you. That is why God could say we should love our enemies. That is why we are told to bless those who persecute us. That is why Stephen took the stones, the Apostles were martyred, and Jesus went to the cross.
Luke 6:27-31 (ESV)
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)
Now when they heard these things, they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Circumstances do not make us a victim, for if we know God, we know there is a plan, a purpose, and a victory yet to come.
I have seen and have been on both sides of victimhood. I have seen those who could easily say they are victims live as conquerors, and those with the same circumstances live in constant defeat. God meant for His children to live as children of the King, regardless of the circumstances of life. Those in Christ are not victims; they are the King's children. Therefore, we should act that way.
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