Victory Over the Darkness , livre ebook

Cover
Endorsements
“Countless people have found genuine freedom in Christ through the insights God has given Neil Anderson. Among them is my oldest son.”
Kay Arthur, Executive Vice President and Co-founder, Precept Ministries
“Reading Victory Over the Darkness has been the catalyst for numerous people on the journey of spiritual freedom in Christ. As part of our core curriculum studies, we encourage every new member of our church to complete Dr. Anderson’s Steps to Freedom in Christ. It is the book we offer to every person who desires spiritual counseling. I have seen the hope it brings for those who thought there was no hope for their lives. Even more amazing, I know the man behind the book, and he lives the life he proclaims.”
Paul Bane, Pastor Emeritus, New Hope Community Church, Brentwood, Tennessee
“The Lord has given Neil Anderson a marvelous counseling and discipleship model that is a genuine blessing to the Body of Christ.”
Bill Bright (1921–2003), Founder, CRU, Orlando, Florida
“Of the many things I appreciate about Neil Anderson’s ministry, his commitment to God’s Word tops my list. Neil goes to God’s Word to demonstrate that resolution in life is found in the Word of life because it points us to the Lord of life.”
Robert B. Bugh, Senior Pastor, Wheaton Bible Church, Wheaton, Illinois
“It is time for all of us to experience freedom in Christ! Dr. Neil Anderson shares solid biblical guidelines for how Christians can be used of God to help set the captives free.”
Paul A. Cedar, President, Mission America, Minneapolis, Minnesota
“Neil Anderson touches a nerve of vital need in the Body of Christ! His ministry in the arena of spiritual growth is sound-minded, trustworthy and—best of all—Christ-centered and Bible-based. I recommend him and his work.”
Jack W. Hayford, President, The King’s Seminary, Founding Pastor, The Church On The Way, Van Nuys, California
“Victory Over the Darkness was released at a time in my life when I desperately needed its message. I didn’t know how to fight back, and I didn’t know the authority I had in knowing who I was in Christ. This book profoundly impacted my awareness of spiritual warfare and helped me see things as they really are. I am forever grateful for this gift because it changed my life. I’ve given it away more times than I can count. Read it, and you’ll be doing the same thing.”
Brian Hardin, Daily Audio Bible, www.dailyaudiobible.com
“Dr. Neil Anderson has done a masterful job of taking a rather complex truth and making it plain enough for all to understand and practical enough for all to experience. The principles in Victory Over the Darkness have helped us to disciple both old and new believers in our church. As a result, lives are being transformed by the power of God.”
Gerald Martin, Pastor, Cornerstone Church and Ministries, Harrisonburg, Virginia
“When we first met Neil Anderson, we were impacted most by his pastor’s heart. He loves God, and he loves people. We’ve often laughed with one another and jokingly said that Neil says more over lunch than most pastors do in the sermons they spend a week preparing. He trained our intercessors in discipleship counseling, and they still experience the power of God when they walk people through the Steps to Freedom in Christ. Neil’s teaching on spiritual warfare is biblically sound, powerful, and practical.”
Tom and Leighann McCoy, Thompson Station Church, Thompson Station, Tennessee
“Victory Over the Darkness is a much-needed book written for everyone who longs for spiritual growth and, even more, joyous spiritual victory in a dark world.”
Robert L. Saucy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, California
“In Lombardi-like fashion, Neil Anderson has entered our locker room and re-introduced our ‘football,’ reminding us of the power found in the fundamentals of our faith. Thank you, Neil, for pointing us toward God’s Word and the security and significance that is ours in Christ.”
Ed Smith, President, Williamson College, Founder, Oxygen for Leaders, Inc.
“When it seemed America was suffering addiction more than ever before, God raised up Neil Anderson to write Victory Over the Darkness to help people to walk through the steps to victory over addiction. I have used Neil’s steps to victory in my teaching at Liberty University, and I have outlined his Steps to Freedom in Christ in my writings. Praise God for the contribution of Neil Anderson to the Christian church and for the contribution of this awesome book.”
Elmer L. Towns, Co-founder and Dean Emeritus of the School of Religion and Theological Seminary, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
“This book is as relevant today as when it was first released. New readers will find life-transforming insights and practical guidance on every page. It is still the first book I recommend to those who need to be grounded in their identity in Christ.”
Marcus Warner, President, www.deeperwalkinternational.org
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2000, 2013, 2020 by Neil T. Anderson
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2020
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3061-1
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Some of the names in this book have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
Cover design by Rob Williams, InsideOutCreativeArts
Dedication
Derek Faulkner was living under a bridge in Atlanta, Georgia, when he was forty years old. His alcohol and drug addiction had driven him away from his faithful wife and family. Attempts to abstain in the past had ended in futility, but then an opportunity came for him to attend Renewed Life Ministries in Tennessee. He not only gained sobriety, but also discovered his identity and freedom in Christ. He later became the director of the ministry and led many people to freedom. Derek was a ministry associate with Freedom in Christ Ministries, and his favorite book was Victory Over the Darkness . At the age of fifty-eight he lost his battle with cancer, and now he lives victoriously in heaven. I dedicate this book to the loving memory of Derek Faulkner, who was the “best friend” of hundreds who celebrated his life at his memorial service.
Contents
Cover 1
Endorsements 2
Half Title Page 5
Title Page 7
Copyright Page 8
Dedication 9
Acknowledgments 13
Introduction: Lend Me Your Hope 15
1. Who Are You? 21
2. The Whole Gospel 39
3. See Yourself for Who You Really Are 57
4. Something Old, Something New 73
5. Becoming the Spiritual Person God Wants You to Be 89
6. The Power of Believing the Truth 109
7. You Can’t Live Beyond What You Believe 125
8. God’s Guidelines for the Walk of Faith 137
9. Winning the Battle for Your Mind 153
10. You Must Be Real to Be Right 169
11. Healing Emotional Wounds 183
12. Loving One Another 199
Steps to Freedom in Christ Research Results 213
Freedom in Christ Ministries Books and Resources 217
Notes 221
Back Ad 223
Back Cover 224
Acknowledgments
Writing a book was a project I intended to do when I retired. I love the ministry and the joy of helping others. So when I attended a writer’ s conference at Biola University in anticipation of my first sabbatical as a seminary professor, I was probably the only one there who didn’ t want to write a book.
I wrote those words thirty years ago when the first edition of this, my first book, went into print. More than seventy other books have come off the press since that time. God obviously had other plans for my life than what I envisioned.
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since that first edition. Now there are more than two million copies of this book in various languages in print worldwide, and the same goes for my second book, The Bondage Breaker . Freedom in Christ Ministries is now a global ministry, with offices and representatives in many countries (see www.ficminternational.org).
I am grateful for Biola University/Talbot School of Theology, where I had the privilege of teaching for ten years. Special thanks to the late Dr. Robert Saucy, who was my mentor, friend, and favorite theologian. The core message of Freedom in Christ Ministries became a part of my spiritual DNA during those years, and I bounced a lot of my ideas off Dr. Saucy. Having a godly and reliable sounding board is priceless.
Many life illustrations have come from my early years on the farm in Minnesota. I am grateful for my parents who faithfully took me to church every Sunday, and for the moral atmosphere in which I was raised. It has been my privilege to help thousands discover their identity and freedom in Christ. The thought of helping many others through the printed page is awesome, and I am grateful to all who made this opportunity possible.
Dr. Neil T. Anderson
Founder and President Emeritus of Freedom in Christ Ministries
Introduction
Lend Me Your Hope
In my first pastorate, I was committed to disciple a young man in our church.