As the team lost a major semi final match at the World Cup, the coach had this to say; “We were overpowered by the opposing team and outsmarted by them. We have learnt our lesson. We would pick up from here.” As sincere as his comment was, it was too late to make any difference in the tournament. The entire team had assumed strength.
Friend, in your pursuit of purpose and destiny, you must never assume strength. Assumption is not only the lowest level of knowledge but also a great killer of destiny. You don’t want to get to critical juncture in destiny only to discover how weak you are. Wise people know where they are per time and take conscious effort to work on themselves (2 Corinthians 13:5, Revelation 2:5).
The undoing of Samson was that he assumed strength (Judges 16:20). He had been going on empty for too long; he was used to achieving results at the expense of his walk with the Lord (Judges 16:1-4). Never pray for a life of progress that is built on weakness. True progress is built on process. It is built on reality, not assumption.
In life, you are either getting stronger or you are getting weaker; there is no middle ground (2 Samuel 3:1). If you are not getting better in your prayer life, you are getting worse. If your consecration is not improving by the day, sin is already lurking around you and knocking on your door (Genesis 4:7). Assumption is lethal.
Whereas, weakness happens by default; strength is consciously and consistently built. You don’t have to do anything to be weak; just do nothing (Hosea 7:8-9). But to be strong, you need to work at it. Just as no one builds muscles without intentionally hitting the gym, you need to hit the gym in the spirit. But when you refuse to do spiritual exercises, you go flabby by default (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
One of the most important decisions you can make this season is to get stronger. This is also the season when the devil launches his greatest attacks. He knows that you would get carried away with the festivities and frivolities around. Remember that David lost his guard when he chose to take a break at the wrong time (2 Samuel 11:1-5). Christianity is a marathon, not a sprint. Be instructed.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria