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Oct 27, 2022 06:00am

You had me at “Ahoy!”

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Raising boys is both an honor and an adventure! I learned early on to step over the piles of dusty sports gear, partially eaten snacks, and game system controllers. Supporting “wildlife” sometimes included picking sunflower seeds out of the dryer and supplying snacks for small armies. Teaching our sons to hit and steal (only on the ballfield) was decades of fun! Yet, we never had to instruct them in morphing into pirates. Sword fighting with any pretend weapon came innately. In total disclosure, their Dad often played along or may have initiated it! (No Pirates of the Caribbean theme song was required to initiate the big battles!) Truth be told…even the dogs picked sides defending their turf, and let’s not forget the sound effects by all parties. Big battles demand volume 9, right? Without any warning, the play tended to escalate and the battle often intensified. The majority of the endings were not epic, but usually an attempt to save a falling lamp, frightened pet, or declare victory in some type of ARRRRRG dialect or accent. Sadly, my inner scallywag wasn’t usually celebrated by sword fighting. My pirate fascination probably was more the “Spongebob Squarepants” version of “Shiver me timbers!” where fewer referees and band aids were needed.

God knows a bit about raising a son, too. I’m almost convinced that He gave a nod to the game of baseball during the temptation of Jesus by Satan (Matthew 4) in using His Word 3 times against Satan before calling him “out.” Truly, God is the author of domination and the Holy Spirit’s offensive weapon for Believers is the Sword of the Spirit (His Word). God doesn’t need human methods, strategies, orientations, or opinions for victory. Let’s be clear; it will only be God who gives the victory. Gideon gives testimony in Judges 7, but those same stories should be unfolding around us (and in us) each day when our weapon of choice is the Sword of the Spirit. II Timothy 4:14-16 exhorts us to be changed, led, and continue in cultivating that special inward endowment given by the Spirit that will deliver us. Engage. Step up. Be offensively prepared with the custom-fitted weapon and surgical precision for the divine outcomes…His glory and our spiritual growth.

Unquestionably, “Satan is allergic to scripture,” as stated by Dr. Tony Evans on this topic. And to keep him sneezing and coughing; let’s:
1. Read the Word in context often!
2. Ask God to reveal Himself in scripture.
3. Be sure of our salvation and be active in discipleship.
4. Love God and serve others.

Anticipate “in your face” battles, not merely “let’s pretend” childish scrimmages. Be ready. From pretend pirates to skilled swordsmen, let’s suit up and execute His battle plans while holding fast to the victorious finish He has already secured. That’s a battle plan guaranteeing victory…Arrrrg!