I just got tired of proclaiming the name of Christ with no ammunition in my proclamation!

I guess the realization of just how formidable the enemy, Satan, is became real as I tried to defend my faith without real, deep and the perpetual pursuit of knowledge of God’s Word.  Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him,” (NIV) is one of my favorite verses in the Bible, because it assures me that we are not alone against an enemy desiring to trip us and trick us into guilt and shame.  Satan desires to render us broken and on the sideline of this life and death match of Heaven or Hell.  You see, if you have given your life to Christ, Satan has lost you.  Now he simply has a strategy to make you ineffective.

Those are harsh statements.  Truth can be harsh if we choose to receive it in a manner of defensiveness verses accepting truth as a life cornerstone and the food that empowers our purpose.

I often use the analogy of ‘would you allow your husband or wife or children needing a life or death surgery to be operated on by a surgeon needing to read a “How To” book while operating?’  Of course not.  We rightfully expect the surgeon to know exactly what needs to be done heading into the surgery.  We were not present during the surgeon’s long hours of study, practice and preparation for this moment.  Spiritual fitness is no different than medical fitness.  It requires time, study, prayer, support, collaboration with other bothers and sisters (Church)…repeat.  The euphoria of dopamine release during an hour or two of collaborative worship and teaching in a week of 168 hours may be misleading instead of preparing.

There is a great description of character that says “character is what you do when no one is looking.”  A relationship with Christ must be how we prepare in the quietness of unspectacular minutes and hours of a life surrendered to He who is greater than me.  I often tell our kids the difference between arrogance and ability is in the preparation.  You’re only arrogant if you can back up the boasts!

Think about this.  The enemy (Satan) had the confident audacity to quote scripture to the son of the author of the Word.  That would be the equivalent of you or I sitting up before the surgery and walking the surgeon through the operation.  Not very likely!  So why is Bible study important?  Why is prayer so absolutely necessary?  Why is surrounding ourselves with fellow believers, flooding our minds with music, books, movies, small groups, friends so crucial?  Because the enemy is prepared and patient.  He patiently waits.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

In business we are encouraged and cautioned to know the competition.  In sports, coaches caution against naive confidence that does not consider the competition.  There is a reason why businesses have boards and coaches have assistants.  When the Israelites were fighting the Amalekites, they were winning when Moses’ hands were up and as he grew tired, Aaron and Hur held them up for him.  Christianity is not a solo effort, but a team fight.  A fight that must be rooted in preparation that leads to knowledge and knowledge that relies on others equally committed to Christ Jesus.

“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:  “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’  Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”  Matthew 4:5-7 (NIV)

Jesus was exhausted after fasting for 40 days and nights.  Then Satan struck when he was tired and hungry.  Jesus was prepared because he was God’s son.  If you are God’s daughter or son, are you prepared?  Intimacy with Christ comes through the learning of who and how immeasurably marvelous that God is.  Give it a try.  He desires to walk, talk, teach and hold you.  He will send comfort through those around you if you are open, willing and committed.

You’ve got this.