necessary violence

It happens every time I watch any sporting event that I have the slightest rooting interest in. It is innate. Well, if not innate, it was learned early on, reinforced during my “glory days” and perpetuated by a little “wanna be” spirit. What is it, you ask? It is that “violent growl,” for lack of a better term, that comes out of me when I see someone lay someone else out, hit a big shot or make an amazing catch. You know the growl…”yyeeeeeehhhhhhsssssss,” — insert rumble and gravel in voice here.  My wife doesn’t like it. It isn’t like we fight over it or anything  but she rolls her eyes at me and usually that is enough. Sometimes she’ll just say something like “really?” Translation: “you are a grown-up, sitting on the couch. Do you really think that is necessary?” No, maybe not necessary but pretty darn close.  Seriously, anyone who has competed against someone else knows that there is a level of intensity that must be brought in order to succeed. Often intense concentration and effort separates the winner from the loser. Thoughts toward the opponent may not be “violent” but certainly a strong will to defeat them must exist.

When the Bible talks about sin, it clothes it in the enemy’s jersey. Sin stands in the way between you and your goal of living for God. What if we treated sin like Algeria (my first ever world cup reference) or, better yet, a world cup referee! (2nd ever world cup reference). I hear a collective “violent growl” out there now!

Paul reminds us constantly that we have to put sin to death. You don’t put things to death passively. Yes, sin is ultimately defeated by the Cross and we cannot add to or take away from that. But, what I’m talking about here is walking daily with Christ in light of the Cross. The Scriptures consistently speak of pursuing God with all diligence. We must treat sin like a cancer that desires to consume our souls. We attack cancer violently, knowing that allowing it to live means death to our physical bodies. We should be more violent in our war against sin. Kill it while it is little; don’t let it grow.

yeeeeeeeeehhhhhhssss!