STAYING UNDEFEATED

In sports, an undefeated team is very rare, especially at the higher levels of competition. In 1972, the Miami Dolphins (16-0) played the Washington Redskins (13-3) in the Superbowl. Miami's victory made them the only undefeated team ever to win a Superbowl. In a game that ended with the score 14-7, the Redskins only points came on a fumble by Miami kicker Garo Yepremian into the hands of Mike Bass, who ran it back for a touchdown with about two minutes left in the game. Miami didn't just win every game, they scored a total of 430 points to their opponent's combined score of only 219.

Whenever a team dominates their opposition, sports enthusiasts, and especially coaches at all levels, want to know how they achieved such a remarkable, record setting season. There are several factors: less mistakes, less penalties, healthy players, and most of all, preparation. Coach Don Shula has written three books, and has spoken to hundreds of audiences about winning. But he has never focused upon staying undefeated. His focus has always been on preparation; the team that is best prepared will almost always win. Preparation means knowing one's opponent so well, that you know what he will do before he does. That is how one remains undefeated.

Christians have to be ready for whatever their opponent throws at them. First, we need to identify the opposition. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others" (Eph. 2:2-3).

Satan's main weapon is deceit; he lies to cause us to doubt God and His Word (Gen. 3:3-4; Lk. 4:2-7; Jn. 8:44; Eph. 6:11-17; Rev. 20:8-10). The best way to protect yourself against a liar, is to know the truth. Jesus said, "I Am...the Truth..." (Jn. 14:6). Jesus said to the Father, "...Thy Word is truth" (Jn. 17:17).

The world is filled with temptations; its things are to be desired, its positions of prestige and power appeal to our vanity, its wealth causes man to count on himself instead of being dependent upon God (1 Jn. 2:16). In Matthew 4:3-9, Satan appeals to the Lord's physical need, to His "lust of the flesh" (His need for bread - v. 3), His "pride of life" (His identity as God's Son - v. 6), and the "lust of the eye" (he shows Him all that he would give Him - v. 8-9). Satan even uses the Scriptures to try to deceive Him (v. 6). But Jesus considered all that the Word had to say, instead of being tricked by a single verse taken out of context.

Bottom line: Know your opponent and you will stay undefeated! Forewarned is forearmed.