Pastor, here’s how to answer “I’m in it not to win it.”

You’ve heard it from a pastor who’s tired of the culture war, from a board member who doesn’t want the church “getting political,” maybe from your own mouth after a hard year: “I’m in it not to win it.” I’m above it. Why would I dirty myself with that? It sounds spiritual. It’s a sermon of the serpent, and it takes you out of the game before it starts. Here’s how I answer it.

What defeatism is

Defeatism is an eschatology and a posture that expects the church to lose and things to get progressively worse. The debt keeps climbing, the culture keeps sliding, and the defeatist nods: “See? Judgment’s coming.” We’re never surprised when it gets worse, because we prophesied it. Withdrawal from culture and mission becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead of growing, planting, and converting, we retreat and call it faithfulness.

The serpent’s question

The hiss is “Did Jesus really say the gates of hell would not prevail?” Because He did. “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Defeatism is “Did God really say?” aimed at that promise. The serpent doesn’t need to defeat the church if he can convince the church it’s already lost. If the devil gets you to believe in defeatism, he hasn’t just knocked you out of the game. You’re not even playing anymore.

Step 1 — Preach the victory of Christ as present reality

What if Christ is victorious, not only personally over our sin, but in our communities and our nation? “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, and that’s the ground the Great Commission stands on (Matthew 28:18–19). Preach that as today’s reality, not just a future hope. A church that expects to lose usually does.

Step 2 — Read “not of the world” the way Jesus meant it

A lot of defeatism comes from an anabaptist kind of withdrawal: reading “in the world, not of it” as total separation. But Jesus prayed, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (John 17:15). That was about holiness, not hiding. There’s a transcendental streak in us that gets too heavenly minded to be any earthly good. “I’m above politics.” But your theology should inform your polity.

The church is the conscience of the state. We can speak truth to power. We can tell the truth to our own consciences and to the consciences of people in government. And we can send our people out to win: win elections, win at work, start businesses and build them well for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Step 3 — Check whether “above it” is a conviction or an exit

Be honest. A lot of the time, “I’m not in it to win it” is an excuse not to address the hot-button issues of the day. It’s the same escape hatch as third wayism. Communicate the truth explicitly. Leave purposeful ambiguity behind. Go into the mess, into the fray, and tell the truth. Nobody who suits up and gets in the game avoids a few bruises. You’re going to get some. Get over it and get brave.

Step 4 — Wake up wanting to win

Ever play a board game with someone who says, “I’m just happy to be here”? You’re halfway through Settlers of Catan and you want to say, “The game doesn’t work unless we’re all trying to win.” The Great Commission isn’t “if it works out, it works out.” Paul said, “Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

I have never once woken up not wanting to win. Not for my own sake, but because I want to win for the Lord Jesus Christ and run the race well. If we win collectively, more people are saved, more people come to Christ, and our families are blessed. Why would we not wake up every day wanting that? So plant something this year: a group, a campus, a church. Lead the church to grow. Expect testimonies and changed lives.

Defeatism has to die in our churches. Don’t be a defeatist. Christ is victorious, and Christ will be victorious. Be in it to win it, with a big vision, in Jesus’ name.