Bill Mathis had been fighting in the boxing arena since he could first remember. His father had passed away from lung cancer while working for a coal plant in his early childhood. He was taken in by his uncle Tom, who’s idea of a perfect end to a long day was to strap on a pair of boxing gloves and loose some aggression. His uncle had taught him, that in the ring, everyone respected you, especially the man looking up to you from his back on the canvas. Bill had done very well for himself in the junior circuit, and managed to land himself a scholarship to the local college to box. He soon was deemed by the college paper, Captain Hook. Bill had developed a left hook that would snap a neck of a large grizzly if given the chance. He proceeded to take title after title during his collegiate courier. During his senior year of college however, things changed. It was in the second round, the bell rang, and he was off, no sooner than he had thrown his first punch, his head was snapped back by a precisely placed jab. It was almost as if his opponent knew his move, before even Bill did. He quickly snapped to, and picked up his hands once again. He went in for the kill, yet once again, a staggering blow to his abdomen rendered him a snapping pain. He would later find it had fractured his rib. The remainder of the fight, carried this same pace. His attempt, quickly overcome by precision placement of his opponents glove. Bill had officially lost, by decision his first fight.

Following later that night while talking to his coach and his uncle Tom, he asked what had happened. Uncle Tom’s response was quick, “looks like you met someone who likes respect even more than you”. Bill scowled at his uncle and winced as he pretended to punch him in the gut. His coaches response was a tad more insightful though, “Bill, he knew you, before even fighting you”. Bill just stared in confusion at his coach. He had never met his opponent before, what in the world was he talking about? His coach went on to explain that every match, had been video recorded, his past four years. This was done so that he could review his performance, and work on weaknesses. Using these tapes to refine his skills. However it appears either someone else was recording as well or, they have gained access to the tapes. They countered every strength, and took advantage of every weakness. They really did know, his moves, prior to even he. As Bill took this in, his pain dissipated, and he began to feel a sense of violation. This was not right, however, he in some way respected it. After all it was a fight, and what better way to win, than to know your opponent. Even more so, what better way to win, than to know your opponent, even better than he knows himself.

I am hear brothers and sisters to let you know that there is one, who knows you, before even fighting you. One who knows you, better than you even know yourself. This one, is our true enemy. He is Satan. From the Hebrew word for Adversary. He seeks, to kill and destroy. To wipe your seed from this earth, to rob your soul from the one whom created you.

In Job, Chapter One verse Seven, we read of a conversation between God, and Satan. When God ask Satan “Whence comest thou?” Satan’s answer to the Lord, is “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it”. One would be a fool to not take heed to this. Satan has been here since the beginning of this earth, walking to and fro, seeking whom he might destroy. He by planned meditation has carefully noted every fault of man. He has first hand knowledge collected about you from the beginning of time. We must understand we are all, sons and daughters of Adam. Sons and Daughters of Adam, all carry strengths as do we do weakness. There is not a Saint one, that I am aware of in reading the word of God that has not fallen to the snare of the enemy. In doing so, our fore fathers, as we for the generations to come, have given our Adversary “tape”. Tape of our strengths, and cases upon cases of our weaknesses. He knows exactly what to do, to cause you defeat. He knows the flesh of all whom where before you, and all whom will be after you. He knows you.

Howbeit, there is a plan. It contains two parts, to each, you must adhere to with vigor. You must see the vision, for as the word of God states, people with out a vision will perish. We as our opponent, must review the tapes. We are to know our strengths, and our weaknesses, not just ours per say, but ours as in the creature of man. In doing so, we will know the contrivance of our enemy. We will know his next move, even as he derives upon it.

Last but by no means least, Second Corinthians, Chapter Five verse Seventeen, states, “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The Greek word Kainos, denotes new, of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not new in time, recent, but new as to form or quality, or of different nature from that which is contrasted as old. (ref. Vines Dictionary) We are of a different nature, we are new, yet only so in Christ. Christ is the only man, who has fought the fight, and finished un-defeated. We are to walk in the Spirit of Christ. Walk in the Spirit, and in doing so we will be ready, for the attacks of our Adversary. One can not do so without dying to ones flesh daily, or in my case every second of everyday. This is our only hope to come through victorious. We must clothe yourself with the Righteousness of Christ by faith in His promise to us. That in Him all things are to become new.

Repent, be Baptized in the name of Jesus, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Walk in it, in newness, and you will taste the victory. All Glory to God.