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  • George Foreman: Fighting the devil in the boxing ring of the Lord ~ Houston Chronicle

Beloved, have you been focusing on issues with your car? Your home? Your bank account? Your family? Then, while you are focusing all your attention on these problems, you find that an important meeting, one with spiritual significance, was somehow overlooked?

The enemy loves it when he can play games with us. One game he particularly enjoys engaging us in is what I call “shadowboxing.” This is a gambit that Satan uses to divert our attention from the big, important issues in life by setting up sneak attacks in little areas.

Be careful – watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks …

I Peter 5:8-9, TLB

Satan can get us “shadowboxing” against these minor offenses; and if he can divert our attention to cause us to overlook a big attack against us or our family, he’s winning the skirmish! We don’t want that!

When we engage in spiritual warfare, we can take away some lessons from boxers:

  • We must practice. (Philippians 4:9)
  • We must work on endurance (Romans 5:3-4) and resistance (James 4:7).
  • We must take one step at a time (Psalm 119:133).
  • We must continually improve our technique (I Timothy 4:15).
  • We must face the enemy (II Corinthians 10:3-5).

I must confess that even during the time I spent on some of the diversionary problems, something in my spirit was saying, “Look out … you’re missing something,” but no, I was too busy. I couldn’t take the time to let the Lord show me what Satan was doing … diverting my attention from something important.

However, there is something that we possess as Christians that the devil is deathly afraid of. He is no match for it. It is our ultimate assurance of total victory. We can go in with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and defeat the enemy in the Name of Jesus.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:11-12

God has given us the tools of victory. We must focus on what God is calling us to do and stand against the daily distractions that divert us from serving Him.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Ephesians 6:14-17

Beloved, we can defeat Satan in all aspects of our life through prayer, faith, reading the Word, determination, and help from the Holy Spirit. As we walk with God, we are secure against Satan’s attacks. With God on our side, nothing can stand against us (Romans 8:31). Christ has already won the victory and Satan knows it (II Chronicles 20:17).

Say this faith declaration out loud: Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing the devil’s plan to get me embroiled in “shadowboxing” against the small nuisances of worldly life, instead of focusing on You. Help me discern what the deceptive hand of Satan is doing and become better armed against his weapons, large and small. Thank You for keeping my mind on Your priorities, realizing that even as I battle, the victory has already been won! Amen.

Scripture Reading:

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luke 10:19

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Deuteronomy 20:4

In my book, The 9 Strategies of Satan, I will prepare you to win the spiritual war, and overcome the enemy. Get it here.

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