5: Heart of a Winner

READY

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

SET

It seems most of us are born competitors—we love to win! As competitors, we’re willing to give our all to beat the other time.

Competition gives a clear picture of the two opposing sides' realm that are battling fiercely to win the prize. Good and evil—God’s army and Satan’s forces—are battling for your heart. Because of your value to God, you are the prize.

Do you think we’ll ever be free from temptation? Although God has already defeated Satan through Jesus’ death and resurrection, Satan is still trying to take us out (1 Peter 5:8)! He tries to get us to believe that God is not good, he puts a twisted perspective on every event, he brings pain in our lives, and he works to destroy us.

To protect against enemy attacks, we need a strong game plan, a strong defense, and a strong offense. 

• Strategy 1: STRONG GAME PLAN

Prepare your minds and hearts to say not to sin by reading God’s Word, praying, and surrounding yourself with teammates that help you. 

• Strategy 2: STRONG OFFENSE

Sometimes there’s no avoiding temptation or sin. Be on the lookout! When you find yourself in a tempting situation, take off in the opposite direction as fast as you can! 

• Strategy 3: STRONG DEFENSE

There’s great power in a team of people who can encourage each other. The enemy would like nothing more than to isolate us and take us out! Surrounding yourself with other believers who will listen to you, pray for you, and give you good advice is your best defense against temptation. 

God never intended us to push through hardships on our own. He designed us to take the journey together. Stay close with good teammates and take down the enemy, one day at a time!

GO

1. How do you prepare for a game or competition? What motivates you to push yourself to gain the victory?

2. What are some ways we can guard our hearts and minds from Satan’s tricks?

WORKOUT

• Ephesians 6:10-12
• 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

OVERTIME

“God, help me to stand strong against the enemy and surround myself with a great team of believers that will keep me accountable each day. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”