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Why You Should Call Yourself Well Every Day

Posted on September 18, 2023 - 12:00 am by

“She is not dead.”

These were Jesus’ words in Luke 8:52 when a group of people had gathered to mourn Jairus’ daughter, who had been pronounced dead that day. He then entered the home, took her by the hand and brought her back to life.

She was dead. But Jesus said, “She is not dead.”

Was Jesus lying?

Of course not. He knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, what was He doing when He called a dead girl not dead?

Or consider when the Lord instructs the weak to say, “I am strong” (Joel 3:10). Is He instructing us to lie? Of course not. What is He doing?

In both cases, He is calling the end from the beginning.

Calling things that be not as though they were is a spiritual principle woven throughout the Bible that most are afraid to touch. They fear looking foolish or feeling disappointed more than they desire to obtain what belongs to them. What a tragedy!

God said, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing…choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19, KJV). How do we choose life? Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) tells us: “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.”

That means it’s our choice, and we make that choice with our words.

Whether you’ve been given two weeks to live or haven’t even had so much as a cold in years, it’s time to find out why you should call yourself well every day.

1. Calling Yourself Well Is an Act of Faith

“[Call] those things which be not as though they were.” –Romans 4:17 (KJV)

Calling yourself well when you have symptoms, a pile of prescriptions and a doctor telling you everything that’s wrong with you is an act of faith.

Faith in what? Faith in God. Faith in His Word. Faith that when He said, “By His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, MEV), He wasn’t lying. Faith that when He said, “I am the LORD that healeth thee,” He wasn’t just being nice in the moment. Faith that when He said, “I will put none of these diseases upon thee” (Exodus 15:26, KJV) He was talking to YOU.

You’ve got to have that kind of faith, or you’ll receive what James 1:6-7 says of those who don’t—nothing.

If we pray anything according to God’s will, we know He hears us, and we have what we’ve asked (1 John 5:15). We know it. There’s no room for doubt in that. If you know, you know. If you know the sun is real, are you going to let anyone talk you out of it? Are you going to let a dark night cause you to doubt it? How about an eclipse?

It’s time to close the door on any unbelief in your life—any shred of doubt that healing belongs to you. It’s time to start calling yourself well every day because that is God’s will for you.

The only thing that can stop healing in your life is unbelief. That’s it. Not a doctor’s report, not how long you’ve been battling your condition, not how severe it is. None of that. Only unbelief.

We see this in Mark 6:5, which is the only time Jesus is said to be unable to do any miracles. The reason? Unbelief.

Exodus 15:26 says if you will do what is right in God’s sight, He won’t put any disease on you. What is right in His sight? Faith.

2. Calling Yourself Well Changes Your Situation

“Let the weak say, I am strong.” –Joel 3:10 (KJV)

You’ve probably heard the term “going from zero to hero.” Well, none of us are zeros to begin with, but the idea behind that saying is going from one extreme to another—experiencing a dramatic turnaround in your circumstances. That’s what calling yourself well will do for your physical body. It will take you from weak to strong, blind to 20/20 vision, barren to a houseful of children, ailing to running a marathon.

There is no limit to the healing power of God.

When you declare God’s Word and His will over your life, the devil is in big, fat trouble. He’s the one who showed up with the curse in the first place. But it has about as much power as Goliath did against David. It yells, threatens and looks intimidating. But one stone in the sling of a righteous, bold and faith-filled believer, and that Goliath will drop dead right in front of you. Your stone? Your words.

Calling yourself well changes your situation. Try it and see how empowered you feel.

“I call my body well.”

“I call my cholesterol low.”

“I call my bones and muscles healed and strong.”

“I call my heart restored!”

“I call every part of my body healthy and strong.”

“I call my memory restored, my eyesight and hearing perfect, my back pain free!”

And don’t wait until something is wrong to do this! Call it into existence every day. It’s a foolproof health maintenance plan. Don’t even let anything creep in. Don’t receive age-related decline. That doesn’t belong to you in Jesus’ Name!

Jesus spoke to things, and they obeyed. He spoke to a fever, and it left. He spoke to wind and waves, and they stopped. He spoke to Lazarus who had been dead for days, and he rose up.

This power and authority was never meant to be exclusive to Jesus. He said we would do even greater works (John 14:12). Imagine it! Calling your body well is the minimum you should be reaching for.

Watch as Kenneth Copeland teaches you more about why you should call yourself well.

3. Calling Yourself Well Establishes Your End Results

“You will declare a thing and it will be established for you.” –Job 22:28 (NKJV)

Imagine feeling powerless over your circumstances, your body, your health. It must be a terrifying feeling for those who don’t know the Lord. But, praise God, we as believers never have to feel that way. We already know God’s intention for our lives—His will. In other words, we know the end results Jesus died to give us.

To set those end results in motion, however, we must believe, speak, act and thank God in advance. That’s what faith looks like. And faith gets it done.

Of course, we can’t talk about calling things into being without making mention of the father of many nations, who also happened to be the father of believing against hope. That means there was no hope—in the natural. There was no sign, no possibility, no chance of his getting what God promised—which included “descendants as numerous as the stars” (Genesis 26:4).

Yet, he spoke it again and again. He called himself the father of many nations long before it manifested. And the Bible said it was this act of faith that caused it to come to pass.

Calling yourself well is faith. And since “the promise comes by faith,” (Romans 4:16), you can be assured of receiving it when you do this.

Psalm 107:2 (KJV) says, “Let the redeemed of the LORD says so.” He has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). So, say so! Say so! Say so!

Put some pressure on the devil.

Unbelief comes from fear. That’s the pressure Satan puts on people. But Paul said, “I press” (Philippians 3:14). In other words, “I’m the one who’s going to be putting the pressure on.” You can press against fear and unbelief when you call yourself well.

Faith puts pressure on the devil. Joy puts pressure on the devil. Put pressure on him in the Name of Jesus! He has to flee when you do. And make sure to tell him he can take his sickness with him.

When you call yourself well every day, you’re not just taking healing for anything amiss in your body, you’re taking divine health—as in, staying well all the time. Let it become a habit in your life rather than an event. Declare it when you’re getting ready in the morning, in the shower, in the car, in the kitchen, in the garage. So simple, yet so powerful. Do it right now! “I call myself well in Jesus’ Name!”

Watch Kenneth Copeland teach you why you must speak what you want to come to pass.

Related Articles:

30 Scriptures About Calling Things That Be Not

5 Steps to Take Financial Dominion

Posted on September 13, 2023 - 9:22 am by

Learn to rule your finances in 2019! Get God’s plan to prosper and bless you, so you can take financial dominion once and for all!

You have control. It may not seem that way at times, but that’s how God designed it. From the beginning, dominion was His plan for you—over the earth and everything in it (Genesis 1:28). Though Satan once stole this position, God returned to us our position through Jesus’ victory, ensuring our dominion and authority over sickness, disease, strife, poverty, lack and anything else under the curse.

When it comes to money, do you feel like you have financial dominion and authority over your finances? Or do bills, debt and work-related troubles seem to rule you instead? The world, the media and everyone around you seem to be under the weight of constant financial pressure. Even worse, they make you feel like you should be, too.

Consider this question: Have you accepted financial pressure, lack, debt and even poverty as a normal part of life?

Maybe you have a history of poverty or lack in your family, a long streak of lost opportunities, or debt that seems insurmountable. These are all areas of attack the enemy uses to dethrone God’s people from a position of dominion. If you’ve been there long enough, it may have become a way of life for you—something you can’t seem to push past in your expectation.

We have good news! No matter what your situation—you can have all God desires for you in the area of finances, and you can take financial dominion. You can be debt free, live in an overflow, give extravagantly, and rise to new levels in your career. He gives you power to get wealth because He made a covenant with you to do so (Deuteronomy 8:18).

Are you ready to take back the financial dominion that belongs to you? When you understand the covenant, walk in obedience to God’s Word concerning finances, and resist any attempt to knock you out of position, you will know how to take financial dominion once and for all.

Here are five requirements for walking in Kingdom financial dominion:

1. Take Financial Dominion by Understanding the Covenant

“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” –Psalm 89:34, KJV

There’s no way around it—to take financial dominion, you first must understand the covenant that provides for it. Sure, you’ve heard of God’s covenant with His children, but do you accept it and receive it? Or does it seem far off in Old Testament times, and not relevant for you here and now? This is what so many Christians get hung up on in the area of finances, which is exactly what Satan wants them to do because it keeps them from receiving!

So, what is the covenant between God and you?

 The covenant you have with God is much more than a promise—it is a sealed and irrevocable agreement. God first established it with a man called Abram (later called Abraham). He promised to make Abram the father of many nations, give him a great deal of land as an inheritance, and much more (Deuteronomy 28). To make sure Abram knew this was absolute and unbreakable, God made a covenant with him, which was considered very serious in his day.

You may be thinking, I know the covenant was meant for Abram, but how do I know it was meant for me, too?

In Galatians 3:13-14, we read that Christ died to redeem us from the curse, “that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise…” (KJV, emphasis added). God sealed His covenant with you through the blood of His Son. That agreement is binding and forever.

Bishop David Oyedepo explains it this way: A covenant is “a deal enacted by God, based on well-defined terms and sealed with an oath.” When we read the Bible, we see that it is a book of covenants that allows us to access everything we need, including prosperity and financial dominion.

How reliable is this covenant?

God’s Word is true and infallible, and it tells us as long that as we have day and night and the sun rises and sets, all of God’s covenants remain in force, including the covenant of financial prosperity (Genesis 8:22).

You can count on one thing: Every covenant of Scripture is reliable, dependable, guaranteed and binding on God for delivery. However, He is only obligated to deliver if you complete your end of the agreement by loving Him, which means you love Him with all your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37) and by keeping His commandments (1 John 5:3).

2. Take Financial Dominion by Honoring the Tithe

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” –Proverbs 3:9-10, NKJV

The book of Proverbs gives us a very basic principle of success. It is this: If you want God to honor you and bless you in any area of your life, you’re going to have to honor Him in that particular area.

If you want God to bless you financially, you first need to honor Him with your money, or as this verse puts it, “with the firstfruits of all your increase.” In other words, you need to tithe. The word tithe means “tenth,” which means to give 10 percent of your gross income to the Lord.

God considers the tithe crucial to your financial success (Malachi 3:10-11). That’s why the devil has fed the Body of Christ so many lies regarding the tithe. He doesn’t want us to ever have what rightfully belongs to us—which is THE BLESSING. You may say, I just can’t afford to tithe right now. But the truth is, you can’t afford not to! If you don’t start honoring God with your money, you’ll be in the same financial position next year that you’re in today. “Any believer who is not a tither will remain a financial struggler” (Bishop Oyedepo).

In fact, you will find that all testimonies of financial blessing in the Body of Christ begin with consistent tithing. Watch this video with Kenneth Copeland and Jesse Duplantis as they explain how tithing puts you on the increase.

3. Take Financial Dominion by Becoming a Giver

“May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.” –Psalm 20:3

Weren’t we just talking about giving? No—we were talking about tithing. So, how are tithing and giving different?

Giving is bringing an offering that is beyond the tithe, not instead of the tithe. It is a freewill gift to a person or organization. It can be in the form of money, clothing, food or almost anything else God prompts you to give.

In God’s system, this is how you increase. It is sowing seed for a harvest. The covenant we have with God is one of financial prosperity or financial dominion. It is God’s instrument to keep us from financial struggles, and it overrides any economic circumstance.

 Our giving is the gateway to financial dominion and all-around favor. The greater our giving, the greater our access to financial increase.

What are the different types of giving?

  • Kingdom-promotion giving is an offering directly given to a preacher, teacher or ministry to further the kingdom of God. This type of seed is not a financial donation to ‘help’ God, the church or the ministry. “It is a spiritual transaction that provokes the release of finances” (Bishop Oyedepo).
  • Worship offerings are another type of giving. The scriptures tell us to never go into God’s presence empty-handed (Deuteronomy 16:16). Why? Because God takes notice of every offering we bring when we are in worship. It is a form of honoring Him and giving Him complete trust with our provision and prosperity.
  • Giving to the poor is just that—offering your own substance to help those in need around you. It can be someone you know or an organization that offers help and support to those who are struggling (Proverbs 19:17).

Each type of giving is considered sowing seed for a harvest. When you plant a seed in good soil, it will always reap a return!

To learn the 7 Steps for Calling In Your Harvest, click here.

4. Take Financial Dominion by Defeating Satan’s Attacks

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” –James 4:7, KJV

We talk often about resisting the devil, but it isn’t enough to simply know that he is a defeated foe, we must learn how to act on that truth. An important part of walking in financial dominion is knowing how to defeat Satan’s attacks. He has no intention of allowing you to prosper and advance the Kingdom. So, when you start walking toward financial dominion, you’ll have a fight on your hands. The good news? Because of Jesus—you win. All you have to do is believe it.

How do you resist the devil? You resist him with the words of your mouth. Keep in mind, you also submit to him with your words, so watch what you say! Refuse to give thought to anything the devil throws your way. Have bulldog faith, and keep the Word of God in your eyes, ears and mouth no matter what.

Find 18 Bible Verses About Wealth and Prosperity here.

Finally, count it all joy when Satan tries to attack (James 1:2-4). That seems a bit outside our natural ability, doesn’t it? That’s OK, because we have supernatural help to do so. When you trust in God’s covenant to provide whatever you need—you will be blessed.

5. Take Financial Dominion by Standing in Faith

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” –Ephesians 6:13, NKJV

You might be reading these points and thinking, I’ve done all of this. I do believe in the covenant. I tithe, I give and I speak words of faith. Why am I still struggling in my finances?

If that’s where you are, there is one thing left to do. Stand. How long do you stand? As long as it takes! Don’t attempt to go after financial dominion without first making the quality decision to keep applying your faith until you see the desired result.

Hebrews 10:39 (KJV) says that we can’t be someone who draws back. We have to stand firm in our faith—we can’t move in fear one day and back to faith another. That isn’t steady—it’s double-minded—and it won’t win the battle. We need the full armor of God to stand against the strategies of Satan. Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of agreement in finances—so be sure to surround yourself with people who know how to stand in faith.

Then, don’t neglect to use the power of patience. You need patience to receive the promise of financial dominion (Hebrews 10:36)!

What can patience do?

W.E. Vine says, “Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial: it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope.” In other words, patience will strengthen and hold up your faith until your results manifest.

Remember, patience isn’t trying—it’s committing.

In conclusion, when you get a revelation of the covenant God has made with you, honor God with your tithing and giving, resist the devil, and take your stand, you will take the financial dominion that has always belonged to you. As you walk out the covenant of provision you have with Almighty God, expect an encounter with your covenant. The covenant has never failed, and it won’t fail for you. As you do your part by engaging the covenant in your life, every financial stress will be terminated in Jesus’ Name.

Related Articles:

The Power of Agreement in Finances

How to Take Communion Over Finances

10 Confessions for Finances in the New Year

Word of the Week: We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

Posted on September 13, 2023 - 9:16 am by

Faith is so powerful that God used it to create the world. You can use faith to change your world. The laws of faith work every time; you just need to put them to work! Pray about what needs to change in your life. Begin to speak God’s promises every day, and watch what happens!

We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

September 18-22, 2023
Are you applying the fundamentals of faith in your life? This week, on Believer’s Voice of Victory, join Kenneth Copeland as he teaches you how to walk by faith and not by sight. Become fully persuaded and immovable in your faith, so you can believe, speak and achieve the desired end result of what you’re believing for!

We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

September 18, 2023 – Monday
We walk by faith and not by sight! Join Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he encourages us to live by the spiritual force of faith. Learn to no longer be moved by what you feel or see, but only by what you believe.

Applying the Fundamentals of Faith

September 19, 2023 – Tuesday
Believe it in your heart, and say it with your mouth! Watch Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he gives us a look into applying the fundamentals of faith. Watch how faith works so you can begin walking in the victory Jesus so lovingly bought for YOU!

A Fully Persuaded Faith

September 20, 2023 – Wednesday
It is written! Join Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he helps you develop a fully persuaded faith. Solidify your trust and confidence in God’s WORD, knowing that what He promised, He IS able to perform!

Say It by Faith

September 21, 2023 – Thursday
Say it by faith! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland teaches you to release the power of faith through your words. Rid yourself of all doubt, and begin calling things that be not as though they were through a mighty faith confession!

Speak Your Desired End Result by Faith

September 22, 2023 – Friday
It is done! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland helps you speak your desired end result by faith just as Jesus did. Make the quality decision to cross the faith line today and never look back!

Watch Today’s BVOV Broadcast HERE.

Word of the Week: A Covenant of Grace and Faith

Posted on September 6, 2023 - 5:29 pm by

The beautiful rainbow was created by God to signify His promise to never again flood the whole earth with water. It is a sign of God’s Covenant—not a sign of acceptance of sin. Thank The LORD for His promise: “Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the beautiful sign of the promise of Your protection. You are faithful to Your WORD. Every time I see the rainbow, I’ll thank You again for Your BLESSINGS. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!”

A Covenant of Grace and Faith

September 11-15, 2023
Fear cannot cross the covenant! This week on Believer’s Voice of Victory, join Kenneth Copeland and Greg Stephens as they explain how we have a New Covenant of grace and faith. Find out God’s purpose for the rainbow, what happened on the day of Pentecost, and learn the danger of worry and care so you can begin living in the freedom of a covenant-minded life today!

Fear Cannot Cross the Covenant

September 11, 2023 – Monday
Always be Covenant-minded! Join Kenneth Copeland and Greg Stephens on Believer’s Voice of Victory as they share how fear cannot cross the covenant. Discover how faith in God’s covenant will enable you to have a sound mind completely unmoved by worry or fear!

The Danger of Worry and Care

September 12, 2023 – Tuesday
Make up your mind! Watch Kenneth Copeland and Greg Stephens on Believer’s Voice of Victory as they speak of the danger of worry and care. Rid yourself of ALL anxiety and worry as you learn to allow Jesus to be your caretaker!

What Was God’s Purpose for the Rainbow?

September 13, 2023 – Wednesday
What was God’s purpose for the rainbow? Join Kenneth Copeland and Greg Stephens on Believer’s Voice of Victory as they reveal the answer. Find out the history behind this covenant symbol of God Almighty and the importance of taking it back!

What Happened on the Day of Pentecost?

September 14, 2023 – Thursday
Receive the power of the Holy Spirit! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland and Greg Stephens discuss what happened on the Day of Pentecost. Discover how what was lost at Babel was restored through God’s grace!

A New Covenant of Grace and Faith

September 15, 2023 – Friday
Jesus—our new High Priest! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland and Greg Stephens teach you our New Covenant of grace and faith. Learn how Jesus paid it all to restore everything that was lost and broken!

Watch Today’s BVOV Broadcast HERE.

How to Pass the Fear Test

Posted on September 6, 2023 - 12:38 pm by

Pass the Fear Test! Take authority over fear, trust in God’s love and promises, keep the devil under your feet, starve fear, and feed your faith!

Even from an early age, life is full of tests—math tests, driving tests, aptitude tests and countless others we all face at one point or another. A test is designed to measure performance, gauge understanding and determine whether a person has mastered a particular skill. When it comes to our spiritual lives, we are not exempt from being tested; in fact, satan throws out all kinds of “tests” or challenging circumstances, hoping we’ll take the bait and give him access to our lives. His all-time favorite? The Fear Test.

The Bible repeatedly commands us to not fear, which comes in the form of worry, anxiety and various phobias. It is satan’s primary weapon, and he responds to it the way God responds to faith. He uses fear to challenge the promises of God and steal hope from Christians.

The Fear Test measures whether you’re operating in the hope of God’s Word or not. If you’re in fear, you’re not in hope. If you’re not in hope, you’re not in faith. If you’re not in faith, you’re not in love. It’s easy to see how satan can use fear to hinder many Christian lives.

So, when the Fear Test comes to your life, do you pass or fail? If you haven’t been making the grade in this area, take this tutorial on how to pass the Fear Test. Answer these questions, and you’ll learn how to take authority over fear, trust in God’s love and promises, keep the devil under your feet, starve fear, and feed your faith!

Question 1: Are You Taking Authority Over Fear?

“I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy.” –Luke 10:19

Have you ever heard someone tell you they have a “healthy fear” of something? Some people think fear is good. But what’s good about it? The Bible says it’s not of God, so it can’t be good. It brings torment—not peace, wisdom or freedom (1 John 4:18, NKJV).

So, the first question on the test is, where are your fears coming from and are you taking authority over them?

If you grew up in a poor family, you might be in bondage to the fear of poverty. You might even try to apply the principles of God, but the devil will keep robbing you until you go before God, repent of that fear, and get rid of it!

The same thing is true of sickness. If you’re afraid of it, you can expect to be sick. The fear will produce the sickness. But if you take authority over your fear and the sickness, which are both from the enemy, you can trust in God’s Word, which says He has already healed you (Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24).

Perhaps you fear for the safety of your children, and you are constantly worried and full of anxiety. To pass the fear test, take authority over the fear by standing on Psalm 91 and the many other promises of God that promise their well-being. Put your hope and faith in God!

Ephesians 6:12, KJV, says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world….” So, if you’ll take authority over fear and break its power, the poverty, sickness and failure that fear was designed to bring will never have the opportunity to manifest in your life!

Question 2: Are You Trusting in God’s Love?

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” –1 John 4:18, NKJV

This verse clearly states that “there is no fear in love.” That sounds pretty simple. If you have love, you won’t fear. But the Bible also says God is love (1 John 4:8). So, if you have God, you have love, which means you shouldn’t have fear, right?  But if you still have fear, the next question is, “Are you trusting in God’s love?”

Love is a powerful force. It causes our faith to work (Galatians 5:6, KJV), it keeps us in line with the Word of God (John 14:21), and it keeps us out of the devil’s trap of fear. When you believe and trust the love God has for you, you won’t be afraid to get your hopes up and put your faith in His Word. If you trust in His love for you, then you will believe that He wants to prosper you. You’ll believe He will heal your body. You’ll believe that He will protect your children. You will believe the Love.

That’s why seeing yourself as being loved by your heavenly Father and trusting in that love is the first step to walking in love. It allows you to love others and drive out fear in your life.

Question 3: Are You Fully Persuaded?

“And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” –Romans 4:21, KJV

How do you know if you are fully persuaded of something? Is it because you think, feel or wish to believe it? No. When you are fully persuaded of something, you can’t be moved from it—no matter what anyone in the world says. There could be a new study and mass media coverage telling you that the sky is orange. Your neighbor could believe it; your friends could believe it. But it wouldn’t change the fact that you know the sky is blue. All you have to do is look at it!

But what about things that you can’t see in the natural—like the promises of God before they manifest? How can you become fully persuaded that the promises will come to pass?

When you take a stand on the Word of God, satan will immediately come and challenge those promises with every fear tactic he can come up with. He sends people who speak unbelief, circumstances that seem to be going in the opposite direction, bad reports, discouraging thoughts—you name it! But let’s not forget for one moment—he’s a liar!

So, to answer the next question to pass the Fear Test…are you fully persuaded that what God has promised you will come to pass? If so, you won’t be in fear. You won’t quit when the devil throws tacks in the road. Why? Because you’ll have hope. You’ll have the image on the inside of you that Jesus said it, so you can have it. Period.

Question 4: Are You Giving the Devil an Inch?

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” –2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV

The entire mission of satan is summed up in three words: steal, kill, destroy (John 10:10). That’s why he uses the fear tactic so often. He will use thoughts and circumstances to see if he can get you to give him just an inch by causing you to be in fear.

For example, sometimes, people think it’s harmless to worry. They even feel irresponsible if they don’t. But worry is the same as fear. If you give the devil even an inch by worrying, he will plant that seed of fear in you, and it will only grow when you entertain his threats of the future and his boasts about the past. Before long, you will begin to believe satan’s lies rather than the truth of God’s Word.

When a Fear Test like this comes, there is only one answer—don’t give fear a place in your life. If past mistreatment, failure or unrealized manifestations are opening the door to fear, put them under the blood of Jesus and wash them away forever. Start by saying “I refuse to fear.” Make that declaration before the devil takes even 1 inch.  Then say, “Devil, you’re trying to put fear on me. I’m not going to accept that fear. Get out of here and don’t come back!”

Question 5: Are You Feeding Faith and Starving Fear?

“Do not be anxious about anything….” Philippians 4:6, NIV

If you’ve ever been to the zoo, you’ve likely seen a sign that says something like, “Don’t feed the crocodiles.” Why? Because when you feed them, they become dangerous. The same is true of fear. Fear is only dangerous if you feed it. When you starve it, it becomes smaller and smaller until it doesn’t even exist in your life. It works the same way with faith, too. In order to pass the Fear Test, you need to feed faith and starve fears.

So, the next question on the test is, how do you feed faith? With the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Put it in your eyes and in your ears on a continual basis. Feed your spirit daily hot meals of God’s Word, not just one cold snack per week. Let God’s Word become the final authority in every area of your life.

Then, think about what you’re thinking about. Is what you’re thinking about true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise? If it is, “the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9, ESV). When you’re thinking on God’s Word, instead of worrying about your circumstances, you’re simultaneously feeding your faith and starving fear.

How else do you starve fear? Refuse to feed it. The best food for fear is secular media, news, and people who speak fear and negativity. Remove these things from your life, and go on a fear-free diet!

Next, guard what you say. If you are believing for something, don’t say anything contrary to the promises God has given you concerning it. Your objective is to keep your hopes up…not to tear them down and cripple your faith with negative, fear-filled words. Instead, speak God’s promises in faith.

So, how’d you do? Do you think you have what it takes to pass the Fear Test the next time the devil tries to steal your hope and challenge God’s promises for your life? When you study and implement these strategies, you’ll earn an A+ in resisting fear. You’ll pass the course with flying colors, and be on to bigger and better things—like living life abundantly. Make up your mind to put your hope in God, and become a person who refuses to let fear rob you of the promises of Almighty God!

Related Articles:

How to Combat Fear—4 Bold Steps You Can Make Today

12 Scriptures to Defeat Fear

2023 – September Wallpaper

Posted on September 1, 2023 - 1:00 am by
September Wallpaper

September’s digital wallpaper is ready for you to download! Save this wallpaper to your desktop computer or mobile device.

Click here to download the Desktop version.
Click here to download the Tablet version.
Click here to download the Mobile version.

Desktop Computer Instructions
For most desktop computers, click the link to download the image. Then, navigate to your downloads folder to find your newly downloaded image. Next, simply right-click the image and select “Set as desktop background or wallpaper.”

Mobile Device Instructions
For most mobile devices, click the link to download the image to your device’s photo album. Then, in most cases, you can change your wallpaper background or lock screen from the Settings menu. If you can’t find this setting, consult your device’s help section or manual for instructions on how to apply the image as your new wallpaper or lock screen.

How to Live the Psalm 15 Life

Posted on August 29, 2023 - 9:39 am by

Do you want to live a life that is unshakable—one so filled with blessing that no circumstance can steal from you? Psalm 15 has the secret to your success!

With winds reaching up to 180 mph, a hurricane is a powerful and destructive storm system—its brute force has the potential to destroy nearly everything in its path. With lashing winds, flying waves and torrents of rain, it has the ability to tear down even the strongest structures. It seems nothing can withstand its torrential force. Except one thing—the palm tree. The blueprint for becoming like a palm tree is found in Psalm 15.

If you’ve ever watched footage of a hurricane, you’ll notice all kinds of destruction and chaos. Even the mighty oak tree is uprooted and torn apart with hurricane force. Yet, palm trees stand their ground—they are not moved. Sure, they will bend with the storm, but they don’t break, and they are rarely uprooted. Quite often, a palm tree is the last thing standing after a great storm—a symbol of resistance in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Even before Jesus came to earth, the palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory. So it is no surprise that God uses the palm tree to paint of picture of how we, as believers, are to live. Psalm 92:12 says, “The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.” They will “[be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]” (AMPC). They will live in victory—and they won’t be moved.

How do we become spiritual palm trees?

Psalm 15 offers a plan to becoming like a palm tree—one who can “daily dwell in the life of the Holy Spirit” (verse 1, TPT) and will “never be moved” (verse 5, ESV). It is the path to a flourishing, blessed and unshakable life.

How about you? Would you like to live that kind of life?

You can get there! Below are five ways you can build and live a Psalm 15 life.

1. Walk Uprightly

“He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.” –Psalm 15:2 (NKJV)

One thing that causes a palm tree to withstand the storms and never be shaken is its root system. Its roots go deep beneath the surface. When we are rooted and grounded in God and His commands (abiding in Him as He abides in us), we will be like the palm tree in our daily lives. We will have strong roots and walk uprightly.

What does it mean to walk uprightly? The Bible describes Job as “blameless and upright,” then goes on to define him as one who “feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1, NIV). In other words, to be one who walks uprightly, we must obey God’s commands and stand strong against the temptation to sin. To put it even more simply—put the good in, keep the bad out.

Those who walk uprightly are uncompromising and humble, keep their eyes and ears from unclean things, avoid sin, deal honestly, have unwavering faith, and walk in love toward others. They are not hypocrites—speaking one way but living another. They walk uprightly in public and in private—speaking truth in their hearts.

To walk uprightly brings countless blessings. Aside from being unshakable and immovable, the upright are pleasing to God. Psalm 84:11 says He won’t withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. Nothing will be impossible for those who purpose to keep His commandments and stay out of sin.

Wondering how to grow even stronger in your faith? Learn The 7 Habits of Strong Christians.

2. Refuse to Speak Against Others

“Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.” –Psalm 15:3

As strong as the palm tree can be, one thing can cause its roots to weaken—disease. Over time, the disease will eat away at the roots until one day it topples over, falling to the ground.

Psalm 15 tells us how to get strong and stay strong—by protecting ourselves from the disease of speaking against others. Speaking against others is in direct disobedience to the commandment to love one another (John 13:34-35). It weakens our roots and opens the door for Satan to access our lives.

A person who cannot be moved is a person who refuses to speak against others in any way. That’s where a lot of people miss it. They don’t realize how much damage is done with the tongue. That’s why James 3:5 warns us that, though the tongue is small, “a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.”

The Psalm 15 life is one that does not participate in gossiping about others. Gossip is serious sin. It’s slander, it promotes discord among believers, and it violates the commandment of love (John 13:34).

Anytime you speak something negative or reveal something about someone else when they aren’t present—it’s gossip. Even if it’s under the guise of a “prayer request.”

Remember this: the devil is the accuser of believers. So, when gossips accuse and slander others, they are acting like the original accuser! People who like to reveal others’ secrets can cause a great deal of strife among the people with whom they associate. Many times, the tales they pass on may even be true but certainly not pure, lovely or good reports (Philippians 4:8).

One of the things God hates most is for someone to sow discord among fellow beleivers (Proverbs 6:19).  So, stay clear of one who gossips, who accuses others and spreads strife. And you definitely want to make sure you aren’t that kind of person yourself!

Determine to do “no wrong to a neighbor” and “speak no evil of your friends” (Psalm 15:3). There are so many people in the world who are ready to tear others down and criticize. Don’t be that kind of person! “So encourage each other and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Purpose in your heart to respect, love and consider others before you consider yourself (Philippians 2:3). Then you will have success, and be one who cannot be shaken.

Check out these 5 Quick Tips for Holding Your Tongue.

If you struggle in that area—speaking harshly to people—repent and turn around. Look up 1 Corinthians 13 about the love of God, and put it in your eyes and heart until it becomes a checklist for you. If you’ve wronged someone, repent. Make things right. Put strife aside and determine to succeed in becoming a flourishing palm tree.

3. Stand Against Evil, Honor the Godly

“They will speak out passionately against evil and evil workers while commending the faithful ones who follow after the truth.” –Psalm 15:4 (TPT)

When a storm comes, no matter how big, the palm tree won’t stand down. It looks adversity in the face and refuses to be moved. That’s a picture of us as believers living the Psalm 15 life.

As you obey the Word of God and walk in love, it will become easier for you to fulfill the requirement to speak passionately against evil—it will be a natural response from your heart. There is a temptation among Christians today to avoid controversial issues for fear of becoming involved in an uncomfortable confrontation. But Jesus did not advocate this, nor did He demonstrate it in His own life.

Find out how you speak with your vote in this Believers’ Voice of Victory broadcast.

As the Church, and as rooted and unshakable Christians, we cannot call evil good and good evil. This includes abortion, same-sex marriage and the opposition to Israel, to name a few. Psalm 15 tells us that the person who may dwell in the Lord’s secret place and cannot be moved is one who will “speak out passionately against evil and evil workers” (verse 4, TPT).  They are not silent or passive. They stand for what is right.

Further, the righteous will not elevate those who do evil simply because they are admired in the public eye or happen to be popular celebrities. Uncompromising Christians are just that—unwilling to move with the winds of change in the world around us. That is why “anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4, NIV). In other words, the righteous will align themselves with the right people and avoid the wrong ones.

While we oppose evil, living the Psalm 15 life means recognizing and honoring those who are faithful to the Lord and His ways. To honor is to respect, and not criticize or tear down, Christian leaders and ministers, as well as our fellow believers. Did Jesus say everyone will know we are Christians because we go to church? Or because we tell them we are? No. He said they will know we are Christians because we love one another (John 13:35).

4. Keep Your Word

“He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.” –Psalm 15:4 (NKJV) 

One of the major reasons people have a hard time believing God and understanding how He keeps His Word is because their word isn’t any good. But the righteous, unshakable person described in Psalm 15 is one “who swears to his own hurt and does not change.”

What does it mean to swear to your own hurt?

It means if you make a commitment, you don’t call later and ask to get out of it. It means you always tell the truth—you don’t lie—not even a little bit. You’re trustworthy and dependable. People respect and honor you because they know you keep your word no matter what it costs.

Make a decision that your say-so is something people can always count on. “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37, NKJV).  Don’t go back on your word—keep it. Be faithful and reliable. Then, you’ll be unshakable and immovable.

Of course, this will help you think more seriously before you make any commitments, because you’ll know once you’ve said you’ll be somewhere or do something—it’s done.

That’s how God operates. When He speaks, He means what He says. He won’t go back on His Word. And when you begin to operate that way as well, you’ll begin to have a revelation about God and His Word, and it will activate your faith in a whole new way.

5. Refuse to Misuse Money

“Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.” –Psalm 15:5

The one who lives a Psalm 15 life and cannot be moved is a giver. He doesn’t help you just because he wants to make money off you.  He’s a giver, not a loaner. In other words, this is the kind of person who isn’t out looking for people who are in trouble, so he can loan them money and then strong-arm them for five times the amount or take everything they own.  No, the righteous will never crush others with exploitation or abuse.

Those who live the Psalm 15 life are those who can never be bought with a bribe against the innocent. There are 84 verses in the Bible about bribery, all with the same message—it is wicked, and those who participate in it will be ruined and will not prosper. One verse is Proverbs 15:27, which says, “The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live” (NIV).

God Himself has given us grace and forgiveness, and we are expected to give and love in that same way. The righteous don’t give only when they can get a return. Those who cannot be shaken are those who love and serve, whether there is a profit involved or not. They put God and people before money. Their priorities are straight.

In conclusion, when you live the Psalm 15 life and walk uprightly, refuse to speak against others, stand against evil, keep your word, and keep integrity in the way you handle money, you will become like a palm tree—immovable, unshakable and fruitful. No matter what comes your way—you will stand firm and prosper!

Related Article:

5 Quick Tips for Holding Your Tongue

Word of the Week: Suit Up In the Army of God and Win!

Posted on August 29, 2023 - 9:32 am by

It was impossible for Abraham (a 100-year-old man) and Sarah (a barren, 90-year-old woman) to have a child. Yet, it happened. Isaac was conceived and carried in Sarah’s womb, and she birthed him all because of The WORD of God. There was a natural contradiction—they were too old to reproduce, but faith overcame that. Never forgot that God can—and will—do the impossible!

The Covenant Versus the Contradiction

September 4-8, 2023
This week on Believer’s Voice of Victory, join Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens as they discuss the Covenant versus the contradiction. Discover how God governs the earth with our mouth and words, how covenants govern our lives, and what biblical honor means. Learn how to release God’s Covenant promises in your life today!

God Governs the Earth With Our Mouth and Our Words

September 4, 2023 – Monday
Your Covenant works by faith and Love! Join Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens on Believer’s Voice of Victory as they share how God governs the earth with our mouth and our words. Find out how to use this power as God intended, so your Covenant can work for you!

Covenants Govern Our Lives

September 5, 2023 – Tuesday
Is your heart honoring God? Watch Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens on Believer’s Voice of Victory as they speak of how covenants govern our lives, whether we believe them or not. Learn to operate in your Covenant through a heart that honors God by faithfully keeping His commandments.

What Is Biblical Honor?

September 6, 2023 – Wednesday
We know what a code of honor and a medal of honor are—but what is biblical honor? Join Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens on Believer’s Voice of Victory as they teach you. Discover how honoring God and His WORD releases His Covenant promises in your life!

The Covenant Versus the Contradiction

September 7, 2023 – Thursday
Jesus is the answer to the contradiction! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens discuss the Covenant versus the contradiction. Develop fully persuaded faith in Jesus, and know that your Covenant triumphs every contradiction!

Your Total Identification Is In Jesus

September 8, 2023 – Friday
God has a heavenly plan for you! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens remind you that your total identification is in Jesus. Recognize your authority in Christ, and claim your Covenant rights today!

Watch Today’s BVOV Broadcast HERE.

Word of the Week: Suit Up in the Army of God and Win!

Posted on August 23, 2023 - 4:21 pm by

Jesus defeated the devil. Now, we need to reinforce his defeat by using the armor of God because the devil is helpless when you take your place as a suited-up soldier of The LORD! Ask Him to help you walk in His armor daily so you can walk in total victory!

Learn more by watching the Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcast this week:

Suit Up In the Army of God and Win!

August 28-September 1, 2023
Do the troubles of this world often seem too much to bear? This week on Believer’s Voice of Victory, Kenneth Copeland exposes the enemy’s plan from the beginning. Watch and discover how to suit up in the armor of God and endure as a soldier in the army of The LORD. From inflation and political upheaval to uncertainty and fear, God has already provided everything you need to overcome this world!

What Happened In the Garden?

August 28, 2023 – Monday
What happened in the Garden of Eden? Join Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he uncovers the sinister plan of the enemy and how Adam and Eve responded. Learn the importance of living without fear and how to regain the light that was lost to man in the Fall!

Believe God Loves You

August 29, 2023 – Tuesday
Do you believe God loves you? Watch Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he explains why you must know and believe God’s Love to win in life. Discover how Jesus has defeated death on your behalf, and allow the Love of the Father to cast out all fear from you today!

Exposing the Enemy’s Plan

August 30, 2023 – Wednesday
You have been given world-overcoming faith! Join Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he continues exposing the enemy’s plan to steal, kill and destroy. Learn how suiting up in God’s armor equips you to face the natural pressures of this world and win every time!

Endure as a Soldier In the Army of The Lord

August 31, 2023 – Thursday
Are you putting on the full armor of God? Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland shares how the armor of God equips you to stand against every work of the enemy. Hear about the importance of obedience, so you can endure as a soldier in the army of The LORD and win!

Suit Up In God’s Armor and Win

September 1, 2023 – Friday
It’s time to suit up in God’s armor and win! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland helps you prepare for spiritual battle. God has already provided everything you need to fight. Learn to submit to Him by putting your amor on daily, so you can be victorious in every area of life!

Watch Today’s BVOV Broadcast HERE.

A 6-Step Guide to Responding To Your Enemies

Posted on August 23, 2023 - 4:18 pm by

Are you facing opposition from people around you? Check out this 6-step guide for responding to your enemies to stay at the top of your spiritual game.

They cheat you and rob you. They lie and spread rumors about you. They betray you, hurt you, and tell you you’ll never succeed. Who are they? Your enemies. A pastor once defined an enemy as anyone who doesn’t want you to succeed. We all have them. Some are right up in your face, while others are more subtle, chipping away at you slowly. Either way, they can stir up all kinds of powerful emotions—hurt, anger, frustration and defeat.

It could be a co-worker, an acquaintance, a family member or even someone on the street. They could be people who disagree with you politically, people who persecute you for your faith, or people who seem to make a hobby of criticizing you. Whatever the case may be, enemies are hurdles in our spiritual lives—hurdles that can keep us from arriving at our destination. However, it isn’t the enemies themselves who can halt our progress or hinder us from receiving healing and financial increase—it is our response to our enemies that determines the outcome.

When thoughts and emotions try to lead the way, we have a trusted source to help show us the way out of hurt and frustration and into the most freeing peace and victory—God’s Word. If you’re facing a single enemy or an army of them, here is your six-step guide to responding to your enemies that will ensure you take the victory.

1. Refuse to Retaliate

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” –Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)

You’ve been insulted, lied to or lied about. Someone has had the audacity to threaten you or harshly criticize you—maybe they’ve even betrayed you. And you feel it to your core. You’re hurt and angry, and you have a lot to say. You even think, I’m going to give that person a piece of my mind. STOP. This is the moment where you choose one road or the other.

The devil is almost yelling in your ear, “You’ve been done wrong! They deserve to hear about it! Don’t let them get away with it!” You start to agree. Then, you remember the words of Ephesians 4:26-31, “In your anger do not sin…. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger” (NIV). Like a fire extinguisher, the Word of God puts out the urge to be offended and respond, if you let it.

You can choose to refuse to retaliate when you’ve been done wrong. Will it be one of the greatest challenges of your life? Yes. Will it take everything you’ve got to keep quiet? Probably. If you are a strong lover of justice, it will be a test of your self-control and an all-out spiritual workout. But you can do it! And you don’t have to do it alone—God has already offered to give you a way out of any temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), and His desire is always for you to succeed.

It’s at times like these when you need to remember who your real enemy is—Satan—and how he uses other people (even Christians) to bait us and rob us of the blessings that rightfully belong to us. When you remember who is really stirring up trouble, it will be easier to stop fighting against flesh and blood and go after the real enemy.

2. Love Your Enemies

“I say to you, love your enemies…. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” –Matthew 5:44, 46 (NKJV)

Did Jesus really tell us to love our enemies? He did! But love isn’t a feeling—it’s a decision. People get too wrapped up in their feelings sometimes, but nothing in the spiritual realm is ever led by human feelings. We make a decision to receive Jesus, we make a decision to be kind to our friends, and we make a decision to love our enemies. The good news is that God doesn’t ever give us a command that doesn’t come with an offer of supernatural assistance. When you have a willing heart, He will help you do the impossible and love even your very worst enemies.

How do you love them? It begins in your heart. You don’t have to run up and hug your enemy every time you see him—just begin by changing your heart. One way to begin renewing your mind in this area is to pray this simple prayer whenever you think of your enemy: “God, You love ____, so I love _____. I forgive him, and I ask You to help me love him with the God kind of love.” As you continue to pray this prayer as a declaration of faith, you will begin to feel something transforming in your heart and moving over into love.

Watch Kenneth Copeland as he teaches you how loving others opens the door to prosperity.

Love is such a powerful force. Not only will it help you overcome past hurts from enemies, but it will prevent them from penetrating you in the future. Remember when Jesus went back to Nazareth, and the religious folks were angry with Him and wanted to push Him off a cliff? What happened? He just walked right past them, and no one could lay a finger on Him. Another time they decided to stone Him, and He didn’t retaliate that time either. He just walked off. No one could touch Him.

When Jesus walked through that crowd, He wasn’t afraid. He knew they couldn’t hurt Him because He was walking in the love of God.

When Jesus said to turn the other cheek, He didn’t mean for you to stand there and have your brains beaten out. He meant for you to stand there in love and in faith, believing that the protecting power of God that accompanies that love would keep you safe. He meant for a man to swing at you and not be able to hit you!

The story of Nicky Cruz, as recorded in David Wilkerson’s book The Cross and the Switchblade, is a perfect example of that. Nicky was reputed to be the most ruthless gang leader of his time. Yet, when David Wilkerson stood in front of him, telling him about Jesus, Nicky was totally unable to hurt him. He thrust his knife at David several times. But every time he did, David just said, “Nicky, you can cut me into a thousand pieces and every piece will still say, ‘I love you, and God loves you.’” Because of love, Nicky couldn’t get his knife close enough to David to hurt him. A supernatural force always stopped it short.

“But I don’t have that kind of love!”

Yes, you do. Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is make the decision to be motivated by that love rather than by your own human feelings. When you do, you’ll find your enemies will have no power over you ever again.

3. Pray for Your Enemies

“Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” –Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

When you spend a lot of time in intimate prayer on behalf of pressing personal needs, and for friends, family, our nation and the spreading of the gospel, the idea of bringing an enemy into the mix might seem challenging at best. Even so, Jesus has commanded us to do this for our own benefit.

You see, praying for those who have wronged you will enable you to release the hurt, anger and unforgiveness in your heart, and receive His peace. It keeps you from the bondage that comes with holding a grudge and allows the flow of blessings to continue freely in your life. Kenneth Hagin said, “Praying for our enemies has a lot to do with walking in the God kind of love. It also has much to do with whether our prayers are heard and answered.”

A mature believer will pray for his enemies—not talk about them and criticize them. Jesus had plenty of enemies, and His response was always to pray. We have the same love shed abroad in our hearts, and Jesus would never ask us to do anything that is impossible.

From this point on, whenever people mistreat you—pray for them. Pray that they will be blessed in this life, that God will help them where they need it most, that they will receive His love and be a blessing to others. Maybe they have deep hurts in their hearts causing them to behave so badly—pray that God will heal those hurts and set them free.

As you pray for your enemies, you will find your heart begin to soften toward them more and more, and you will keep yourself in a spiritual posture of love. That is a position of victory.

Ready to strengthen your prayer life? Discover the 7 Steps to Prayer That Bring Results here.

4. Do Good to Your Enemies

“Do good to those who hate you.” –Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

When you think of your enemies, you’re likely not thinking about wanting to bake them their favorite cake. But you should. Not necessarily baking them a cake, specifically, but doing good to them. That’s what Jesus was saying in this verse. When you are treated poorly, harassed or facing opposition, you need to respond in a way that sets you apart as a Christian.

It takes a lot of courage, humility and love to do good to those who mistreat you, and it isn’t easy! But when you’re filled with the love of God, you can do it! Any fool can lash out and fight back against enemies, but Jesus has instructed us to do good to them instead. In doing so, you become a powerful witness.

If you know someone who hates you or has wronged you, look for the opportunity to do good to them. If you see a need, meet that need. If they need help, be the first one to offer it. Buy them a gift. Pray for them. This is how believers walking in the God kind of love should act toward our enemies—regardless of what they deserve. It’s what Jesus taught us to do, and His ways always bring blessing.

Watch Gloria Copeland teach you how to bless those who persecute you.

5. Forgive Your Enemies

“If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” –Matthew 6:14 (NIV)

When you suffer a deep wound or continually recall a hurtful situation, forgiveness can seem like too big a challenge to even tackle. But God has commanded that we forgive others or face the unthinkable situation of not receiving His forgiveness for our own sin. The devil has convinced a lot of believers that forgiving someone is somehow letting the offender off the hook or making ourselves the victim once again. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Forgiving someone isn’t a special favor to your enemies. It isn’t justifying what they’ve done, and it doesn’t even indicate a restored relationship. In fact, forgiveness isn’t something that happens between you and another person—it is an actual transaction between you and God. It is a quiet, personal transformation in your heart, and it gives God room to take care of justice on your behalf.

Forgiveness is so important to our spiritual well-being, that Jesus warned us and instructed us about the matter time and again. That’s why Andrew Murray said, “As bread is the first need of the body, so forgiveness for the soul.”

If there is anyone today whom you have anything against—no matter how long ago the offense occurred—forgive! And do it quickly.

For more ways to become a victorious believer, find The 7 Habits of Strong Christians here.

6. Let God Avenge You

“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.” –Romans 12:19

If you’re a lover of justice, you likely have trouble accepting the feeling that someone is getting away with doing you wrong. They deserve punishment, after all! However, God never told us that we are the judge and jury. He said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35, NIV). God is a God of justice, and He cares greatly for you. Don’t take Satan’s bait and think you need to demand it for yourself—you’re only moving God out of the way and indicating you don’t trust Him to take care of it.

You may not see it with your own eyes, but you can be assured it will be dealt with. Sometimes, God will deal with the matter out of your sight, and at other times, He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23:5). Either way, trust Him to take care of the matter. Put your focus on obeying His Word regarding your enemies. You will find that desire for justice will melt away in the loving arms of your Father, who is also your Defender.

Learn 5 Ways God Promises to Deal With Your Enemies here.

Next time you find yourself face-to-face with your enemies, take this six-step guide to respond. Refuse to retaliate and instead, love them, bless them, forgive them, pray for them, and let God take care of the justice. Then, you will be mature and perfected in the God kind of love and reflect His perfect love to the world around you.