In all these things we are more than conquerors through [God] who loved us.  -Romans 8:37

AS a child, I tried to imitate comic-book heroes; I was ready to wage battle armed with a wooden sword, a cork shield, and a vivid imagination. After I heard a bit about the book of Revelation, my curiosity drove me to read it. I made it to the third chapter. The fantasy aspects of the book grew and grew in my mind as I realized that the conqueror always received the prize.

I asked an adult, “Who is the enemy I need to vanquish?”

“Sin,” was the response.

How dangerous it must be, I thought, to confront this foe! I will have to use my sword, my shield, and if necessary, my fists.  Today, I continue to think about the word conquer. Over time, I have become convinced that the most subtle enemy is the one that, in a thousand ways, attempts to turn us away from being constant in prayer; from reading and meditating on the Bible, from attending church; and from rejoicing, praising, and adoring God. Let us be ever alert to invisible but powerful pressure to change our focus. And let us continually turn our gaze back to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. See Heb. 12:2.