True Competitor: 7 Days of Spiritual GritSample

PROTECT THIS HOUSE

True Competitor Principle

If you don’t fight, you’re dead meat.

During my senior year of high school, my basketball team was winning our division and on our way to the Section V playoffs when we faced an inferior opponent, a team with only two wins that promised to be an easy win. It was a home game, giving us an even bigger advantage. We were sloppy all week in practice and, in hindsight, lacked intensity. We were looking past this game to our first playoff clash. That proved to be a mistake. An inferior team beat us on our home court. It was embarrassing. By the time we started to play with our characteristic focus, intensity, and teamwork, it was too late. We had failed to protect our “house.”

We ended up using that game as a reminder to never let our guard down. We considered our opponent inferior and went in unprepared for battle. We were unaware that, to them, this game was the championship. They were gunning for us; they wanted to take us down and salvage their season. And they had changed their defensive scheme and caught us sleeping. Thankfully, that game fueled our focus for the future; we went on to win the Section V Championship and advanced to the New York state tournament. But it could have easily derailed us.

I was reminded of that season recently when the Under Armour commercial blasted the question, “Will you protect this house?” Every competitor responded, “I will. I will. I will.” We love the battle. We love the competition. And to prepare for it, we put in hours of training and practice. We prepare our bodies and our minds to know what to expect. On the field or court, we contest every point. We stand our ground. We take our shots. There’s no backing down or giving in. But if we let our guard down for even one game, we can get beat.

Life is no different. We have two enemies—the inside enemy and the outside enemy. Unfortunately, many of us don’t view life as a battle. We think we’re on a vacation cruise ship instead of a battleship, so we don’t approach challenges with that competitor’s mindset or from a spiritual perspective. We are often unaware of the spiritual battle that rages in us and around us. Or we consider the Enemy inferior and look past him. As a result, we are unprepared to protect this house.

The inside enemy includes the lust of the flesh. Our flesh wants what it wants when it wants it; you can think of it as cravings. Paul described our internal struggle in Romans 7:21: “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” The Spirit always wars against our self. And our old nature always has a craving for sin. God never tempts us; instead, we are tempted by our old nature.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)

The outside enemy includes the lies of the devil and the lure of the world. Our spiritual adversary is fierce, and his goal is to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). So keep the following in mind:

• Don’t believe everything you feel. When you’re prepared to protect this house, you see the temptations coming, and you either take your stand or simply walk away. When you’re unprepared, an inferior opponent beats you. But God always gives you a way out.
• Don’t believe everything you think. When you’re lonely, the devil will tell you the lie that God has left you. When you’re discouraged or down, he’ll tell you you’re worth nothing.
• Don’t believe everything you see. The lure of the world is powerful, and the devil knows it. That’s why he spends so much time tempting you with physical pleasure, material stuff, awards, and recognition.

We have everything we need to overcome the inside enemy and the outside enemy. God gives us two primary weapons—the same ones Jesus used to fight with and win: prayer and the Word of God. When the devil tempted Jesus, Jesus always responded with Scripture. And when Jesus was teaching His followers, He regularly went away to pray in solitude.

Second Corinthians 10:4 says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” If you don’t fight, you’re dead meat. You must protect your body, mind, and soul by using the Word and being devoted to prayer. So prepare for the battle for your heart like you prepare for the battle on the field; it’s time to fight to protect this house. And may you say wholeheartedly, “I will. I will. I will!”

Father, I know that, just like in competition, I face opponents in life. Help me to be ready to fight the battle against the inside enemy— the lusts of the flesh—and the outside enemy—the lies of the devil and the lure of the world. I know I am more than a conqueror in Christ and that, with every temptation, You give me a way out. Give me the wisdom I need to flee temptations and equip me to fight through Your Word. Amen.