The time to hit the hardwood has come to Middle Tennessee. It is the “best” time of the year (coming from a basketball coach 🙂 ), and throughout the season we will endure growth, setbacks, and many opponents on the road to a state championship.
Our Christian walk is very similar in the fact that we will also ensure growth and setbacks as we press on to the goal, but one thing we need to remember is the only opponent we will face is the DEVIL.
Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 to “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.”
The devil works hard to “take us down.” He is good at manipulating. He works hard to twist and scheme and make us believe things such as:
- I know God wants us to be happy.
- I can do it my way.
- The world says it is okay and it is accepted there, why can’t it be with God?
- It is all about me.
These are all lies. As a matter of fact, Jesus told us Satan is the “Father of Lies.” (John 8:48)
So how do we prepare for our opponent? We watch a lot of film in basketball. We can analyze their strengths and their weaknesses. We can change our defense or push a press if they aren’t confident handling the ball, but with our opponent in life, God gives us the “plan” by telling us how to equip ourselves.
Ephesians 6 is a place in His word that gives us the “equipment” we need to overcome defeat…
- Put on our waist the BELT of TRUTH (which tends to be what Satan tries to twist first–look what he did to Eve in Genesis!)
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Gospel of peace on our feet
- Shield of faith that helps with those fiery darts the wicked one will send
- Helmet of salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
- Praying…
- and being watchful.
These are VITAL in life as we fight against the roaring lion who is seeking whomever he can devour…..
In any game, any team can win. You see the “Cinderella” stories that erupt throughout March Madness. Shots may not fall, shots may fall, anything can happen.
In this life though, we know who will ALWAYS be victorious. Our Heavenly Father sent His son so that HE MIGHT TASTE DEATH FOR US (Hebrews 2:9). He has given us our earthly purpose and that is to be the salt and the light. We must keep our eyes on Him and not be conformed to the world.
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Anchored to Him,
Leigh Ann
