Hebrews 12:1
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
I came across this article a couple of days back,"When Roberto Goizueta took over as CEO of Coca-Cola in the 1980s, he was faced with intense competition from Pepsi that was eating into Coke's growth. His executives were Pepsi-focused and intent on increasing market share 0.1 per cent a time.
Roberto decided to stop competing against Pepsi and instead compete against the situation of 0.1 per cent growth.
He asked his executives what was the average fluid intake of an American per day? The answer was 14 ounces. What was Coke's share of that? Two ounces. Roberto said Coke needed a larger share of that market. The competition wasn't Pepsi. It was the water, tea, coffee, milk and fruit juices that went into the remaining 12 ounces. The public should reach for a Coke whenever they felt like drinking something.
To this end, Coke put up vending machines at every street corner. Sales took a quantum jump and Pepsi has never quite caught up since."
Well, that was quite a strategy!
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
I came across this article a couple of days back,"When Roberto Goizueta took over as CEO of Coca-Cola in the 1980s, he was faced with intense competition from Pepsi that was eating into Coke's growth. His executives were Pepsi-focused and intent on increasing market share 0.1 per cent a time.
Roberto decided to stop competing against Pepsi and instead compete against the situation of 0.1 per cent growth.
He asked his executives what was the average fluid intake of an American per day? The answer was 14 ounces. What was Coke's share of that? Two ounces. Roberto said Coke needed a larger share of that market. The competition wasn't Pepsi. It was the water, tea, coffee, milk and fruit juices that went into the remaining 12 ounces. The public should reach for a Coke whenever they felt like drinking something.
To this end, Coke put up vending machines at every street corner. Sales took a quantum jump and Pepsi has never quite caught up since."
Well, that was quite a strategy!
But when I read this, I could sense that this principle of “gaining” market share applies to our spiritual lives as well. The enemy's goal is to increase his market share in our human "hearts". To this end, we see that every aspect of human life in this fallen world, is heavily influenced by the devil, which is a deliberate attempt to trap not (just) the unbelievers, but rather the elite warriors of God's kingdom. From sinful addictions, all the way to seemingly innocuous entertainment and luxury, we see the crafty setup that has the potential to pull us away from pursuing the things of eternal value.
Some might think that these worldly pursuits will not affect our spiritual walk, as long as we believe that the One who is in us, is greater than the one in the world. While I genuinely believe that there's no force that can defeat us because of the power we have through Christ Jesus, I also believe the reality and the craftiness of the enemy and that he will try his best to pull us into his territory through subtle means. As Peter says, we ought to “ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)
Samson was a man of God, and he was a strong warrior, who single-handedly brought victory after victory for Israel. When the enemy camp (Philistines) knew they couldn't overpower him through direct attacks, they devised a scheme and used Delilah as a trap. The Philistines (who symbolically represent the devil and his army) said, "Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him;" (Judges 16:5)
Was Samson not a man of God? He certainly was! Did he not have God's power dwelling within? He certainly did! The devil was totally aware of the power given to him, but what he also knew was that he had to employ a different strategy to defeat Samson. If he can't come as an enemy assaulting us, (for He knows we'd use God's power to overthrow him), he'll come as an angel of light to deceive us! All he needs, is to turn our hearts away, little by little, not merely towards sin, but to ANYTHING (even the good things in life!) that can keep our focus off God. The enemy will try and do everything in his ability, to keep us from running the race. As the author of Hebrews says, we ought to lay down every weight (and not just turn away from sin) that can bog us down and interfere with our race.
How do we know what's keeping us from running the God-given race? "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things" (John 14:26). We ought to rely on the Holy Spirit, to know what is it that's keeping us from doing God’s perfect will. As He reveals and convicts our hearts of anything that's adding unnecessary weight and slowing us down, let His grace lead us into repentance and obedience to His Word that purifies and edifies us, as we live our lives in surrender to our Holy God. Let the Psalmist’s prayer be ours as well,
Some might think that these worldly pursuits will not affect our spiritual walk, as long as we believe that the One who is in us, is greater than the one in the world. While I genuinely believe that there's no force that can defeat us because of the power we have through Christ Jesus, I also believe the reality and the craftiness of the enemy and that he will try his best to pull us into his territory through subtle means. As Peter says, we ought to “ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)
Samson was a man of God, and he was a strong warrior, who single-handedly brought victory after victory for Israel. When the enemy camp (Philistines) knew they couldn't overpower him through direct attacks, they devised a scheme and used Delilah as a trap. The Philistines (who symbolically represent the devil and his army) said, "Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him;" (Judges 16:5)
Was Samson not a man of God? He certainly was! Did he not have God's power dwelling within? He certainly did! The devil was totally aware of the power given to him, but what he also knew was that he had to employ a different strategy to defeat Samson. If he can't come as an enemy assaulting us, (for He knows we'd use God's power to overthrow him), he'll come as an angel of light to deceive us! All he needs, is to turn our hearts away, little by little, not merely towards sin, but to ANYTHING (even the good things in life!) that can keep our focus off God. The enemy will try and do everything in his ability, to keep us from running the race. As the author of Hebrews says, we ought to lay down every weight (and not just turn away from sin) that can bog us down and interfere with our race.
How do we know what's keeping us from running the God-given race? "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things" (John 14:26). We ought to rely on the Holy Spirit, to know what is it that's keeping us from doing God’s perfect will. As He reveals and convicts our hearts of anything that's adding unnecessary weight and slowing us down, let His grace lead us into repentance and obedience to His Word that purifies and edifies us, as we live our lives in surrender to our Holy God. Let the Psalmist’s prayer be ours as well,
“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.” (Psalms 119:37)
The MSG paraphrase puts Psalm 139:23 this way,
Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.
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