Resources/Articles
Competition
“..for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practice” - Romans 7:18,19
There is a steady diet of competition all around us. Two politicians go “head to head” trying to win the public vote. TV networks are constantly vying for supremacy in news and prime time programming. A couple of five year old girl softball teams play against each other on a Saturday afternoon. A brother and sister see who can get the attention of mom first. Although we are surrounded by the “competitive spirit”, nowhere is it consistently found than within one’s own mind.
A very serious, eternal-life threatening battle is taking place at this very moment. It is a war for who will gain supremacy of your mind. It is there, because that is what makes you tick (Prov 23:7). God gives us the ability to “live and move”, but at whose command do we “live and move”? There is a choice to be made here. As Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt 6:24). This match is highly competitive. No Final Four, World Series, Super Bowl, or Olympic event will ever develop the same intensity as the confrontation between God and Satan.
With a sporting event, teams have similar skills and strengths. People often “match up” players to help decide which teams have the decisive edge. In the battle for our minds, the two opponents involved are very different. They both want to win. They are powerful and skillful, but they approach life as different as “light” and “darkness” (2 Cor 6:14). Neither one will compromise. Both are masters. One promises life by virtue of service. The other promises life by virtue of selfishness. One counts on lusts, while the other counters with love. One promises liberty, the other provides it. One promotes indulgence, the other encourages self-control. One displays images to lure you to his side, the other manifested His Son as the only sure way to victory (1 Cor 15:55-57). Who do you think will win? Whose side will you choose to defend?
Your response to this competition is not to be taken haphazardly. This is a serious choice, because the decision your mind makes will determine the direction your life takes. When the time comes to chose, your choice will be made based upon facts or rationalization. Once your decision is made, you will quickly defend the choice you have made. With this choice, you will hate one and turn to love the other. You will highly esteem and reverence one, or you will shun and despise the other.
One thing needs to be considered. There is a destiny associated with your choice. As with any competition, a “prize” is awarded. Letting Satan win your mind, leads through a wide gate to destruction. Letting God control your mind, leads through a narrow gate to life…
