Dirty Tricks of the Opposition

READY

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 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 10:12-13

SET

Every sport has its dirty tricks. I am a chaplain with a wheelchair rugby team, and in this sport, I’ve observed that one of the dirtiest tricks is "holding." This happens when an opponent, out of sight of the referee and players, puts his hand on the back of an opponent’s chair and holds it to prevent him or her from moving. It most frequently happens in the corner of the court, just after the play has moved away; everyone’s attention is elsewhere, on the ball carrier, but the opponent uses this dirty trick of holding to prevent a player from the other team from being able to re-join the game immediately.

As Christians, we are called to help our fellow athletes and coaches who may be in some need or other. It is a good thing to respond, wherever possible, to a presenting need. But we do well to remind ourselves that we are human, as are those we find ourselves trying to help. And sometimes, because of their needs, others open themselves up to us if they are feeling vulnerable. If they are going through a particularly hard time, they may look to us for comfort and love. And as followers of Jesus, we get close to them to be a support. But here’s the thing: if we are not watchful, our opponent, the devil, can play dirty tricks on us.

As a pastor, I have seen far too many helping and serving relationships move over into sinful relationships.

It’s essential to be aware of this danger and to take every precaution against the Devil. If you and I think it could never happen to us, then listen again to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:12. The longer the devil holds you in the grip of temptation, the greater the likelihood that you will fall. So, do all you can as soon as you can to work yourself free from his hold, like a wheelchair rugby player wrestling to get his or her chair free from the grip of the unscrupulous opponent. And remember, you do not battle your opponent alone. In verse 13 of 1 Corinthians 10, we read that God Himself promises us His help to break free of our spiritual opponent’s clutches.

GO

• The devil will try this dirty trick on every Christian at least once in their life. Have you ever felt the temptation from the Devil?
• If you haven’t yet been subject to this dirty trick employed by the Devil, how can you be watchful and alert, fine-tuning your spiritual antenna to be alert to those times when he may be trying to corner and hold you, taking you out of effective Kingdom service?

WORKOUT

Matthew 6:13; Matthew 26:4; James 4:7; Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 Peter 5:8-9

OVERTIME

“Father God, I pray to be both a hearer and doer of Your Word. Assist me Holy Lord in every situation to seek Your protection and power to combat every dirty trick of Satan, that he might never hold me and keep me out of the game, out of serving You and Your Kingdom, until the final whistle, until the final trumpet is sounded. Amen.”