Engaging Our Culture: July 17-Fighting Your Inner Demons

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played”

Bible Verse of the Day:

By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! ² I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. ³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete, 2 Corinthians 10:1-6.

Biblical Connection:

Today is the first round of the 2025 British Open, the final golf major of this year. Harry Vardon’s family was forced to move when the construction of a new golf course bought their land. Throughout the film the Greatest Game Ever Played, Harry has flashbacks of the four men who told his father they had to move. Images of these men appear on Harry’s driver during the 1913 United States Open. This is one of the tricks minds play on human beings to bring up their past.

In a letter to the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul brings up the concept of taking your thoughts captive. When minds dwell on the negative, these thoughts can become self-fulfilled prophecies. If you have endured a rough life, past failures could turn into inner demons which can haunt you throughout life. However, by making thoughts obedient to Christ, self-doubt can be erased by belief and faith in Christ, Matthew 21:18-22.

Closing Song:

The popularity of sports psychology continues to grow in professional golf. While Harry Vardon developed his own pre-shot ritual to block out his inner demons, inviting Jesus into your thought life translates into all aspects of life. May your faith be an example to others by daily taking your thoughts captive to avoid evil sown into your mind by the Devil.

by Jay Mankus