Think Again!

Chapter 4: Pillaging Schemes #1-6 • 49

today does not really count, or, we will deal with the issue later, or, it will not make a difference now anyway. All of which are blatant untruths. Today always counts.” 23 A third way to entice us to relax is by constructing a list of rules to follow. Rather than engaging in dynamic spiritual conflict that looks carefully at how we walk because the days are evil (Eph. 5.15-16), we can rigidly obey a list of do’s and don’ts. If we think we can check off all our duties for the day, and then be satisfied for a job well done, we are falling victim to this scheme. List-making spirituality reveals how low we set the bar compared to God’s standard. If you think you can relax and take a day off, beware! You put yourself in a vulnerable position when you let your guard down. The adversary wants you to settle for lesser things, ignoring the Spirit’s urging to pursue a life of adventure in Christ. He gets you to relax, settle in, take it easy, ignoring the passions he gave you for the Kingdom. Scheme #6: Overreaction We can over-react to circumstances and regret it later. When I was a boy, I was an avid UCLA basketball fan during the John Wooden championship years. Every game was tape-delayed and shown at midnight, and I would get permission to stay up late and watch the games. During UCLA’s record-breaking winning streak that had extended to 88 games, they faced Notre Dame on national television. With under four minutes to go, UCLA led 70-59, but I watched in agony as Notre Dame went on a 12–0 run to win the game by one point, ending the historic streak. I ran out of the house and cried. Certainly my love for UCLA basketball produced real sadness. But my reaction was not proportionate to the weight of the event. It was an over-reaction to the loss of a basketball winning streak.