Part 2: APPLICATION

For those unfamiliar with football terminology:

Quarterback - the offensive player who hands the ball off and throws it to other offensive players

Halfback - the offensive player who normally runs the ball

Wide Receiver - the offensive player who normally catches passes from the Quarterback

Cornerback - the defensive player who normally guards against the Wide Receiver

VIDEO: Half Back Pass, UVA vs Miami (click this link to view in a new window)

The major key to guarding against this trick play: the Cornerback must stay with the Wide Receiver and not assume the play is a run until the Halfback crosses the line of scrimmage (where the ball was originally hiked to the Quarterback).  The rules of football allow the offensive player (usually the Quarterback) to make a forward pass as long as he is behind the line of scrimmage.  Once he passes that line, he can no longer attempt a forward pass.  Though defenses may have different strategies, one game plan would require the Cornerback to assume a pass until the Halfback crosses the line of scrimmage.  At that point, the Cornerback can abandon his responsibilities of guarding the Wide Receiver and pursue the Halfback.  In the video here, the Miami Cornerback falls for the trick, assumes the play is a run, and takes that one step towards the Virginia Halfback (watch closely at the 0:23 mark).  The trick play has worked, and it results in a touchdown.

It comes down to everybody doing their job.

Bill Belichick, New England Patriots coach,

on the key to defending the trick play

The same is true for us as Christians.  Our first key to guarding against the enemy’s tricks was PREPARATION; our second key is APPLICATION.  If we are going to guard against the enemy’s tricks, we must apply the principles and strategies that we’ve learned from God’s Word.

Ephesians 4:27  God’s Word Translation
Don't give the devil any opportunity to work.

And what can we do to ensure we don’t give the devil a place to work, or, as other translations say, give him a ‘foothold’?  By doing everything that Paul includes in the verses surrounding our text.

Beginning in Ephesians 4:17, Paul begins a section that the NIV translators call “Instructions for Christian Living”.  The instructions continue to chapter 5 verse 21.  If you want to know how to guard against the enemy’s tricks – to not give him an opportunity to work, as Paul says in our text – you must follow the instructions that God provides all throughout the New Testament, including the instructions for Christian living in this section of Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:17-5:21 (click to view these verses in a new window)

This is APPLYING the Word of God in your life.  Doing all that Paul tells us to do in this section of Christian living will ensure that the devil has no room to work in our lives – no chance to trick us.  Paul introduces this section by discussing how unbelievers live.  Then he begins in earnest the instructions for Christian living with these words.

Ephesians 4:20-21 NIV
That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

There’s that word we discussed in last week’s sermon and blog: truth.  It’s one thing to know the truth.  It’s something else to do the truth.  And to know the truth but not live by the truth allows the devil all kinds of room to work in your life.

James 4:17  God's Word Translation
Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning.

To know what is right – in other words, to have been properly prepared – but then to not do right – to not apply what you have been taught – is sinning.  Many Christians live their lives rather pleased with themselves for not committing terrible sins.  But James 4:17 deals with another type of sin that we often ignore, the sin of omission – that is, not doing what you should do.

Back to our football illustration…

The Cornerback has been prepared – he’s been coached.  He knows that he is supposed to stay with the Wide Receiver until the Halfback crosses the line of scrimmage.  But if he doesn’t do what he’s supposed to do – if he doesn’t apply what he knows – then he will fall for the trick play.

The football player has a lot to remember.  There are a lot of assignments and a lot to apply.  And to be honest, there’s a lot that we have to apply in our lives as well.  Just look at all the instructions Paul gives us in our Ephesians 4-5 text:

What we aren’t to do – lie, have uncontrolled anger, steal, have corrupt longings, and grieve the Holy Spirit

What we are to do – tell the truth, work hard, help those in need, build one another up, be kind and compassionate, and forgive each other.

Then Paul gives us twelve more guidelines, beginning in chapter 5 – follow Christ in love, avoid all immorality, refrain from obscene language, don’t allow others to deceive you, walk in the light, seek God’s will and do it, use every opportunity for doing good, don’t get drunk on wine, be filled with the Spirit, encourage each other and worship God through music, be thankful for all things, and submit to one another.

Wow!  That’s quite a list.  Whoever thought being a Christian was easy hasn’t realized all that God requires of his children.  And I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to see God’s people not living their lives in accordance with God’s Word.  And it’s not because as a pastor I want to somehow, in some oppressive way, control people’s lives.  But to live right and not sin – to do what the Word of God says to do – will keep the enemy from working in your life and having his way with you.  And to be honest, doing what is right will keep you from tricking yourself.

James 1:22  NIV
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.

So those that don’t live (APPLICATION) according to the Word that they’ve heard (PREPARATION) actually become their own worst enemy.  In these situations, the devil can just sit back and do nothing, knowing that we are ruining our own lives.

Consider Cain…

He was angry that his offering was rejected by God, and he wanted to take it out on his brother Abel, whose offering was accepted by God.  Then God gave Cain this warning:

Genesis 4:7  NLT
You will be accepted if you do what is right.  But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out!  Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.

Don’t let the devil control you.  Don’t put yourself in the position where you fall easily for his tricks.  You know the truth of God’s Word.  Apply that truth in your life and give the devil no opportunity to work.