Today I’m ready to watch the 58th Super Bowl battle (Kansas City v. San Francisco). I’ve watched football my whole life. Sadly, what I know about the game could (maybe) fill a thimble. I say I watch the game, but what I really do is watch the Super Bowl commercials and the half-time show (in that order). Yep … looking forward to seeing my Clydesdales!
A football game (Super Bowl or not), or any game, reminds me of what my daddy would say, “Deborah, remember the best defense is a good offense.” He applied this adage to the winning strategy of each game. Yes, preparing for a game is very much like preparing for battle.
According to Wikipedia, “the best defense is a good offense” is an adage that has been applied to many fields of endeavor, including games and military combat. It is also known as the strategic offensive principle of war. Generally, the idea is that proactivity (a strong offensive action) instead of a passive attitude will preoccupy the opposition and ultimately hinder its ability to mount an opposing counterattack, leading to a strategic advantage. I find this “best strategy” for battles of any kind can be applied to our lives. For believers, it’s to prepare us for the battle of life with prayer and Holy Scripture.
In today’s world, there has never been a better time for believers to shift into an offensive position. We live in a crazy world. It’s essential to put on our “armor” to give us a strategic advantage to put evil on the defensive. Constant prayer prepares us to take up our sword and to march forward, reclaiming territory stolen from us by fear and doubt.
For the believer, the best offense is a spiritual one: staying rooted in the Word of God and bathing ourselves in prayer to ward off the inevitable attacks of temptation to test the outer edges of our faith. If we prepare correctly, we can go on the offense by marinating in, meditating on, and memorizing God’s Word.
“His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
“God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
So, folks, utilize the best strategy to prepare yourself for battle … get up, suit up, show up, and pray up … every single day.
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com.
