Winning the Spiritual Tug-of-War
September 8, 2010

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:13-15.

If you've ever been in a tug-of-war, you know how the battle can wage for a short time and then suddenly one team will pull the other over the line. As believers, we're engaged in a spiritual tug-of-war with the world. It's a battle we don't want to lose. To help assure our victory, Peter gives us some timely advice. First, we're to "prepare our minds for action." Can you imagine winning a tug-of-war with a robe wrapped around your feet? In the ancient world men wore long robes which had to be tied up when there was work to do. Similarly, we must get rid of anything in our life that slows us down.

Second, we must be "self-controlled." We don't want a substance, like alcohol or drugs, to control our minds. Nor do we want lust to drive our lives. Instead, we want to be able to manage our lives in a way that honors Christ.

Third, we're to fix our hope on the return of Christ. Rather than focusing our attention on power, pleasure, or possession - which fade away - our hope is to be on the One who will soon return for us.

Fourth, we're to devote ourselves to holiness. As followers of Christ we're not to be controlled by our "evil desires." Before we met the Lord, we had no choice. Now we do. As believers we're to show the world how God's people live.

Living a holy life demands discipline. Consider going on a mini-retreat with your accountability group. Once you get away, discuss what you can do to live holy lives, and then come up with a specific plan to help accomplish those goals.