Leverage
Lest Satan should get an advantage of
us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
2Corinthians 2:11 KJV
Kurt and Stevie decided to settle the
matter by means of arm wrestling. They’d grown up watching the
movie ‘Over The Top’ starring Sylvester Stallone, the
truck-driving good guy, who beat the odds by winning the Las Vegas
Arm Wrestling Tournament, and the top prize of a new semi.
Today it wasn’t a truck at stake, but
a single baseball card of disputed ownership.
“No cheating!” Stevie admonished.
“I don’t cheat!” Kurt spat back.
“I do what Sly did to gain an advantage!” he countered, referring
to Stallone’s positioning his hand slightly over his opponent’s
thumb to help cancel any size advantage by the use of leverage.
“That’s not fair! You’re bigger
than me! I get to go ‘over the top!’” Stevie argued, as they
wrangled for position.
Few things are as entertaining as two
adolescent boys settling their battles through competition. Spurred
on by an increase in testosterone, they exaggerate body language,
posturing in an attempt to intimidate each other and gain a
psychological advantage. This contest proved to be no different as
Kurt and Stevie fought for any advantage. After all…there was a
baseball card at stake!
Unexpectedly, Kurt hollered, “Go!”
and instantly, Stevie was pinned.
“That’s not fair! I wasn’t
ready!” Stevie argued, rubbing his sore arm, pointing out yet
another problem with young aggression.
†
Leverage, defined as ‘an advantage
in position or in means at one’s disposal’ is what Satan
uses to gain unfair advantage when he detects weakness. Paul
encourages us not to be ignorant of these devices.
In today’s text, Paul is speaking
about forgiveness for sinners, by sinners. We are not to act as
Satan, taking unfair advantage of others, and unwittingly becoming
one of his pawns. As difficult as this sometimes is, we need to take
a breath, step back, and ask God to provide the desire to exhibit the
same grace we ourselves have been extended.
If practiced faithfully, grace and
forgiveness become the leverage by which we overcome the enemy’s
wiles.
Prayer
“Lord, help me discern
any advantage the enemy would use as leverage in my life. Give me
wisdom and conviction to live for You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
No comments:
Post a Comment