As Christians, we are in a “superbowl” of sorts everyday.
Dare 2 Share - The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. (Galatians 5:17-NLT)
This past Sunday, a football match-up took place in New Orleans- but of course you knew that. The Super Bowl was broadcast in hundreds of countries in dozens of languages to millions of people. Let me ask you something: if you were a starter in last Sunday’s game, would you have been nervous? Would it motivate you to play your best knowing that you are on worldwide television? I’m guessing the answer is yes.
If I were playing in front of that many people, my head would definitely be ‘in the game’. I would dedicate every precious second of those sixty minutes to completely excel in my performance.
As Christians, we are in a “superbowl” of sorts everyday. Let me give you the line-up:
On the home field is the ‘Sin Nature’ team. The player roster goes like this-
sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. (Galatians 5:20-21)
They have the home field advantage because we live in the world. Their coach is none other than Satan himself, with a host of assistants called demons.
The visiting team is the “New Nature”. Their player roster goes like this:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
They are the visiting team because they come from a different world: heaven. Their coach is none other than God Himself, with a host of assistants called angels.
Every minute of every day these two forces engage in battle inside each and every Christian. Every choice you make, thought you think, and word you say scores points for one of the two teams. This battle will continue until we leave this earth through death or Christ’s return.
Perhaps you have believed that this is a private battle going on inside you, but I have news for you: it’s not. Our struggle against our sin natures is being broadcast to the entire spiritual world. Check this out-
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. (Hebrews 12:1)
In other words, even though our new nature is the visiting team, we still have a crowd of saints and angels cheering for us to defeat our sin nature. Can you hear what they are saying?
“Don’t give up- it’s worth the fight!”
“I know what you’ve gone through, you can make it!”
“Don’t fear the enemy, God is with you!”
I know I’m highly motivated to win my own personal ‘superbowl’, because my reward isn’t some polished up pigskin; it’s a smile on my Savior’s face.
Questions:
1) How does knowing you are being watched motivate you towards holiness?
2) Which ‘member’ of the sin nature team gives you the hardest time?
3) Which “member” of the new nature team is injured right now?
Dig Deeper:
Read Galatians 5 and take score of which team has been winning lately. Come up with a 'game plan' that will help you defeat the 'sin nature' team more effectively.
