Overcoming Part 2: Positioning for Strike

In the previous post we learned the importance of personally taking our own thoughts, words and attitudes captive so that we can rise above the barrage of fiery darts from the enemy and begin positioning ourselves for an offensive strike. Transitioning from everyday citizen to fully equipped "warrior" doesn't happen, however, without some training. Soldiers and athletes alike understand the importance of excellent training before they ever set foot on the field of active duty, whether it be combat or sport. What's true in our natural surroundings, holds true in our spiritual walk as well. As Believers, all of us are called and recruited. Every gift and qualification required has already been placed within us by our Father. If we're breathing, we have purpose, mission and something valuable to bring to the field. So, what does this training look like for us?

We begin by learning how to be overcomers. The first exercise is to learn how to STAND in our spirit by falling to our knees in humble submission to God (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:6-9, Ephesians 6:10-18). 

Our surrender is God's call to arms! 

Through the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Rev 12:10-11), we stand in prayer and faith choosing to deliberately believe in the character of God even when we don't understand what He is doing in our circumstances. There's a difference between character and reputation. Character is who someone truly is based on what they actually do. Reputation is who others think someone is based on their interpretation of what that person does. Discerning people will know and recognize character while the unwise will judge and criticize what they don't understand. Some believe God has a reputation of being a distant, harsh and demanding taskmaster but that is not the nature of our Father at all (Psalm 103:7-18). It is of vital importance that we gain our understanding of who God truly is from the Word and not the world. Regularly engaging with the Word will help us build the muscles to stand and trust Him and, through this, equip us to rack up victories in all manner of trials and temptations. 

We add to this the practice of JOY. We have been instructed to consider it joy when trials come (James 1:2-4). This is not because we are expected to get some strange pleasure out of suffering. It's because trials give us the opportunity to choose to go deeper into relationship with Jesus, discovering and experiencing more of His love, strength and goodness toward us than we would have ever known if the trial hadn't come our way. Trials set us up for an upgrade in our relationship with Jesus and our good, good Father. It is in the place of His presence that joy is found and we are given strength (Psalm 16:11, Nehemiah 8:10).

We repeat this process of overcoming all manner of trials and temptations for a season until we transition to more than a conqueror. These are ones who have consistently overcome for so long, the enemy doesn't even show up to harass them anymore! Yes, not only is this possible but it is the intended reality our Father has for all of His sons and daughters, not just a select few. The choice is left to us, however, to partner with Him and engage in the process. Unlike God Almighty, Satan has a limited number of resources. If he is no longer able to have an affect on a person or in a situation, he pulls those resources and moves on elsewhere. The enemy is persistent but not very ambitious. He is a lazy opportunist who targets weak and low hanging fruit. As we continually pursue the Lord with our whole hearts, strengthening and going higher in our relationship with Him, the enemy gives up and moves on. The purpose of practicing overcoming various trials and temptations is to bring us to a place where we are standing so secure in the love of Jesus and faith in our Father's goodness that the attacks barely faze us anymore. This is how we resist the devil and, in so doing, he will flee (James 4:7).

An analogy that comes to mind is a soccer game. Our son played highly competitive soccer for years and, over time, I observed that when his team focused on executing a strong offense, (every player from the goalie to the strikers focused on offensively moving that ball down the field), they played a great game and often won. Laser focus on putting the ball in the other team's goal. But when the focus shifted to just trying to keep the ball out of their own net, and everybody was playing defense rather than offense, their whole game fell apart. Panic and reaction mode would kick in, communication on the field deteriorated to expressions of frustration or stopped altogether and the offensive plays and strategies they had established in practice went out the window. These games were not played at their best and were often lost or, if won, it was by sheer grit and a dose of luck. Win or lose, the players came off the field completely exhausted and frustrated with the course of the game. Their ability to position themselves to strike on the opponent's goal began with the focus of their mindset which then translated into action on the field.

So how does this translate to us as God's "warriors"? Our best defense is one rockin' offense! The time is now to take our eyes off our own goal, cease from using our limited human resources to defend ground and begin accessing God's unlimited Kingdom resources to take ground! Our weapons, strategies and "plays" are not like the world's but are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:3-4). As we consistently abide in the fortress of God's

presence and love, we are protected, strengthened and equipped. Then, as we go on offense making it our aim to blanket our sphere of influence with the goodness of God (a barrage of God's blessing!), the enemy will be the one depleted of resources and completely exhausted - not us! Over time, if we do not allow ourselves to grow weary in doing good, our example and testimony will encourage others to rise up and do the same while Satan looks on in horror watching his victim pool shrink right before his eyes! More about applying Kingdom strategy and the weapons of our warfare in the next post.

Time and resources are short for our opponent. The sons and daughters of God have eternity and His unlimited resources at our disposal. This isn't even a fair fight. We are going to win! So, if you haven't joined the team yet, have a conversation with Jesus. Tell Him you'd like to accept His offer of salvation, be restored in relationship with the Father, learn how to live as a much loved child of God and mature as a son or daughter in His royal household. If you are already on the team but have been on the bench or maybe haven't regularly been showing up for practices, suit up! Pick up the playbook (the Bible), learn the offensive strategies, get on the field and in the game. We need ALL players in - no one's a bench warmer! We know how this one ends - the Lord wins! And we get the privilege to partner with Him in filling His house with many sons and daughters!


 

“Moses said, ‘Please. Let me see your Glory.’ God said, ‘I will make my Goodness pass right in front of you; I’ll call out the name, God, right before you.’” (Ex 33:18-19a)

Let the whole earth be filled with His glory!