Lessons from the athlete #2

"And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes by the rules." 2 Timothy 2:5

2. Perform

Practicing is great, but it doesn't mean a whole lot if you can't actually perform in the tough situations. One of the worst insults an athlete can receive is that they are a great "practice player". This is one who performs great in practice but is not able to perform in the game. How do we learn to perform in the game, spiritually speaking? The best way I can figure out how to put it is don't give opportunity to the flesh. If you know you struggle with something, don't keep it around! After practicing (read the previous blog), then go and perform by taking away Satan's advantage in your life. Here's an example... if some guy is struggling with lust, then he needs to get rid of his movie channel (maybe even the tv!). Or if a girl is struggling with gossip, she needs to remove herself from those that encourage her to fall in this area! Christians, let's be smart and build walls! If an enemy is attacking a city, it would be a whole lot easier for them to destroy a city with no walls (protection), this is the same spiritually! Build walls to keep the enemy out. Only you know all of your struggles, so only you can take this step. Please don't give the enemy a open door into attacking your life. If you do, then what's all the practice for?