In volleyball the setter sets up the ball for their teammate to take the shot. The other team sees the set-up and they prepare for the block by jumping up with their arms raised. We have an enemy, who is finite, but is playing an infinite game. He is playing the long game. He can see us being transformed by our relationship with God, he can see us stepping out in wholeness and freedom. So he blocks. He can throw up old doubts, fears, anxiety or a million other triggers. And a lot of times it’s our own speech that takes us down.

The block can work both ways!!!

In his book, James, wrote to help the Jewish followers learn how to live every day life in their Christian faith. He talks about the tongue in Chapter 3. He talks about how the bit can control the horse and the rudder a large ship. Verse 5: “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.”

I learned something interesting about the word ‘boast’. It comes from the words: ‘Megas’ and ‘Aucheo’ and it means what you think: large, great, in the wildest sense, arrogant. But it also means: murky, obscure, dark, impede vision, and miserable. And also: glory, joy, rejoice and boast.

So, it makes sense when James in verses 9&10: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.”

In any given day we can give God glory, tear down someone, lift ourselves up and talk ourselves out of doing or believing something. The tongue has power, how we speak matters.

“‘But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8

We need the wisdom, guidance and correction of the Holy Spirit to help us learn how to use our speech. We need to watch for “any kind of haughty language that wounds or provokes others, stirs up strife or exalts ourselves.”
(Strong’s commentary)

We don’t block the attacks of the enemy by acting and speaking like him. We need to sound like heaven, with the authority of heaven.

Another thing I loved about watching volleyball during the Olympics was the fake spike. When the setter would set up the shot and one player would jump pretending to spike it, but another would spike the ball. The opposing team would block the first player, leaving the second player free to score. We can counter and score when we walk and work together.

Also, did you notice that after every play, the players would come together in a huddle? They would celebrate a point; they would plan their next move; encourage and rally around each other. I loved that!!!

We are not meant to live this life alone. Who are your teammates that support you?

How are you speaking to yourself? To Others? About Others? To our enemy? To the doubts, fears etc…

Yes, the enemy will block all our attempts, but we know we win in the end. The problem may be that we are not acting on that knowledge.

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
1 John 4:4
(John is referring to false prophets who are “from the world and speak from the viewpoint of the world”)

On Sunday, driving to church I was filled with so much anxiety. I had a choice to make: allow those thoughts full reign OR take control and switch the narrative. I spent the drive praying and speaking God’s truth about who I am, to myself. I had a great day at church!

For me, that was ‘Match Point’, I didn’t let my anxious thoughts win. I blocked and scored! Woo-hoo!!!!

Father, we need Your ‘super’ to empower our ‘natural!’ Come out fighting and have a great day!!
All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo

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