Lester Sumrall was more than just a preacher—he was a general in God’s army, a man whose voice thundered with faith and whose life was marked by boldness, miracles, and a fierce commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Born in 1913 and called to glory in 1996, Sumrall’s ministry spanned continents, launching churches, feeding programs, and global television outreach. But perhaps most memorable were his powerful words—short, punchy, Spirit-filled quotes that cut through confusion and stirred believers into action.
Whether you heard him on TV, in person, or read his writings, Sumrall had a way of saying things that stuck. He spoke like a man who had faced down demons, challenged governments, and wrestled with heaven—and lived to tell the tale.
Here are 15 of his most famous quotes that continue to challenge and inspire:
15 Famous Quotes by Lester Sumrall
- “What you compromise to keep, you will eventually lose.”
— A sobering reminder to stand firm in truth, no matter the cost. - “Feed your faith and starve your doubts to death.”
— Sumrall’s approach to faith was all or nothing—no room for second guessing. - “You are a spirit, you have a soul, and you live in a body.”
— A foundational truth that he preached with deep conviction. - “God is a good paymaster. He pays in health, peace, and blessing.”
— He believed in God’s ability to reward His faithful ones. - “The devil is not afraid of a dusty Bible.”
— A sharp nudge to stay in the Word daily. - “Don’t talk about your mountain, talk to it.”
— He believed in the power of spoken faith to change realities. - “You can’t cast out the flesh and you can’t disciple a demon.”
— A powerful distinction between deliverance and discipline. - “Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
— A timeless warning against the deceptiveness of sin. - “Faith is not a leap in the dark, it’s a step into the light.”
— His kind of faith had eyes wide open. - “You will never possess what you are unwilling to pursue.”
— A call to action and spiritual hunger. - “The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not toys, they are tools.”
— Sumrall urged believers to treat the supernatural with reverence. - “You were born an original—don’t die a copy.”
— A challenge to walk in your God-given identity. - “When you know your authority, the devil knows his defeat.”
— Spiritual authority was one of his key teachings. - “The only part of the Bible you believe is the part you obey.”
— Ouch—but true. - “If you don’t do your part, God doesn’t have a part to bless.”
— Partnership with God was at the heart of his message.
Lester Sumrall’s voice may be silent, but his legacy roars on through the ministries he built, the souls he won, and the truths he boldly declared. His words are still fresh, still fierce, and still lighting fires in hearts all over the world.
