I Wanted to Kick Satan's Ass!

Okay, so I am not drinking/drugging/porning anymore. No need to congratulate me for responsible behavior. I have a bit of pent up frustration in being unemployed -- obviously God has a plan and a purpose (and a job) for me. But it is a bit disheartening not to cut the mustard, so to speak, in terms of being "qualified" to be a janitor or a stockboy. So, instead, I wanted to kick Satan's ass!

Now, I realize that Jesus has already done the job. Praise You, Lord!! But there are days, like today, I wanted to invite the Serpent of Old into the square ring and bust a Rocky Balboa on his already defeated, lying self. Secular as he is, Rocky has always been a hero to me. I've spent 28 years in the ring of sinning with drugs and pornography, and only recently have I understood what the Lord did for ME on the Cross at Calvary. FREEDOM!! But, in return, He wants me to follow Him. John 12:25-26 is good for me to remember here: "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."

Rocky had some tough opponents: Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, Ivan Drago, Tommy Gunn, and Mason "The Line" Dixon. Win or lose, the Itallion Stallion found his heart both in and out of the ring. Of course, Rocky isn't Jesus, and in the battle of Good vs. Evil, I am proud to announce (spoiler ahead for the unbeliever!) that, at the final bell, Jesus stands victorious over Satan. So, I ask myself: "Why do I want to fight the Devil?"

Then it hits me...that's what I've done for the past 28 years!! I've climbed into the ring with him, and he's hit me with his 1-2 combination of drugs & sex. Down goes Fontaine! For so long, I kept getting up, just like Rocky, going the distance, only to wade into the flurry of punches I met. BAM! BOOM! DOWN GOES JOHNNY...AGAIN!! Punchdrunk? Stupid? Bullheaded?

In a way, I believe God has given me not only a "new heart" for Him, but also unmeasurable depths of perseverance. Yes, I keep coming back. And finally...finally...I've understood that I can humble myself before my Lord and Savior to let Satan raise his own arms in "victory" over me. It doesn't matter what the Enemy believes or thinks...he just wants me to keep fighting against him, keep "coming back" to the pleasures of sin, and keep being pummeled into the canvas of the ring time after time after time. I've finally gone all the distance I'm going in my desire to kick Satan's ass...I'm throwing in the towel and embracing my corner man, Jesus Christ!! He loves me, loves my battered and bruised soul back to life, and whispers into my ear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Now, come follow Me!"

Spiritual warfare continues. I still have to fight against the temptations to climb into the ring at the behest of the Enemy. But in Christ my freedom is eternal. In the Lord my strength comes in humbling myself to hang up the gloves. And in Jesus I can raise my hand in victory, for His glory. His final bell will ring on the glorious Day of His choosing.