Daily Devotional

In my travels I have visited several ancient ruins, including the Flavian Amphitheater in Rome, more commonly known as the Colosseum. During those ancient battles, the gladiators would sometimes fight in small rings within the much larger circular arenas. It is my understanding that this is where we the modern concept of a three-ring circus. Only in those days, these bloody battles to the death were hardly family entertainment.

There are three arenas in which we fight three deadly battles:

• Battle #1. Men Against the Deeds of the Flesh: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outburst of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these (Galatians 5:19–21) as opposed to the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
  
  
• Battle #2. Me Against the Devil’s Tactics: doubt, discouragement and division) (1 Peter 5:8–9).
  
  
• Battle #3. Me Against the World’s Twisted Values: sex, money and power (1 John 2:15–17).

Although the three battle fronts of our war against sin rages daily in each of our lives, I can assure you it is truly a winnable war (1 Corinthians 10:13), if we use the God-given tactics clearly presented in Scripture: Putting on the whole armor of God (Read Ephesians 6:10–18).

I am especially challenged by the meaning of the words of the Old Testament Prophet, Jeremiah, as he implored the people in his day: “Let us examine and probe our ways . . . .” (Lamentations 3:40). Notice that word “probe.” It’s the Hebrew word chaqar which means to examine, search out, investigate, and to ponder. It even means to taste. I like that.

That’s exactly what we need to do. We need to taste our lives and to be honest enough with ourselves to admit, “My life doesn’t taste that good anymore.” And since 90% of taste involves smell, it’s also time to admit: “My life doesn’t smell that good, either.” However, I am immediately drawn to the promise of 2 Corinthians 2:14:

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place."

I would imagine those ancient arenas smelled of blood, sweat and tears. My brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ came not only to give us victory but to make our lives a sweet aroma in the nostrils of our Holy God. He also makes it possible for us to smell good enough for the whole world to notice the godly fragrance of Jesus wafting from us. So, I suppose it would be appropriate for every believer to ask a fellow disciple, “So how do you think I smell today?”

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