Many of us grew up playing team sports—whether soccer, baseball, football, hockey or something else.

Early in the game you tend to identify the strongest players on the other team. You pay special attention. You check them more closely. They’re the ones who can really sting you if you’re not careful.

In this I see a parallel to our life with Jesus. When you are experiencing spiritual growth, you should expect opposition. If you are growing, if you are serving, if you are identifying your spiritual gifts, if you are growing in grace, if you are cultivating godly character… You. Should. Expect. Opposition.

Satan is on the other bench looking for the ones who are doing his side the most damage.

In light of this, the apostle’s words in 1 Peter 5:8 are good counsel: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

This sometimes comes as a surprise to Christians. I’m not sure why, but it does. The name Satan literally means “adversary.” John Calvin reminds us about something important: “believers are to wage a protracted conflict before they gain the glory.”*

The good news is that there is nothing to fear. Trust Christ. He is greater. Trust his word. It is true. Along the way there is much joy and victory. Live in God’s love and holiness. In so doing God beats back the adversary to the point of exhaustion on the sidelines. 

The fact that you are often opposed means you are taking ground from the enemy. In a way, it’s kind of a compliment. Be encouraged that God is growing you and using you for the advance of his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Fear not. Rest in God. Push ahead.

“Believers are to wage a protracted conflict before they gain the glory.”*

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Notes:

–New Podcast and Blog: “January can be tough–so here are 6 ideas to help.” Tune in to ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe, or click here (includes text version).

–*John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries: The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Romans and to the Thessalonians, trans. Ross Mackenzie (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1980), 398.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.