Survivor

We have a couple of tv shows the whole family likes to watch together. One is "Survivor" and the other is "Amazing Race". Usually these shows are family friendly and fun to watch. We all pick our favorites and critique the ones we don't favor. All the contestants come onto these "reality" shows with their own agenda in mind and not just to play the game. Some agendas pop up at the beginning of the season and some just surface throughout the game.

Last night was the season finale of Survivor. 2 of the remaining 5 contestants, had been on the series 2 other times, each. They know "how" its played, they know what you have to do in order to "win" either an immunity challenge as an individual or team or win the whole game and walk away with the prize. Interestingly, neither have "won" the game and been awarded the title of Survivor.

Last night I really started listening to what these "adults" said to each other and how they acted. They will lie, cheat, steal, connive, backstab, etc. to get their own way and to get further in the game. This season "prayer" was discussed and shown many times ~ I'm not calling into question their faith but it was evident that not all had a mainstream, Evangelical view of faith & God. Theirs was more new age, wordly, love creation faith. Honestly & integrity were also words that were openly tossed about. But, their take on honesty was "I'll be honest and upfront with you as long as it gets me somewhere and helps my agenda but if it suits my purposes, I will change my tactics without alerting anyone if I want to." But when they were caught in their dirty dealings & lies, they were "hurt" that others thought ill of them and their excuses were "they were just playing the game".

Which really got me to thinking....How many times do we do the same things ~ ours just aren't shown on National Television in front of millions of people.

*Do we deal dishonestly with others to further ourselves along through life?
*Do we "play the God card" when its convenient or do we live for Him everyday, no matter what?
*Do we "forget" to do things intentionally or neglect to pass in information because that fits better into our own agenda?
*Do we lie about our intentions, our views, our own agenda to get our way, or do we deal openly and honestly with people?
*Do we do/say one thing and turn around & do something different to make us look better?
*How often do we defend what we've done if we get caught or try to justify the actions so the consequences are lessened?
*Do we get upset or self righteous when others don't recognize our thoughts/opinions as valid or do we weigh both sides & pray about what God thinks is right?
*Who should we care about impressing? God or man?
*At then end of the day, can we look back and be satisfied that we did our jobs/chores/etc. with integrity & honesty ~ would the Lord have the same opinion of our actions?
*Do we want everyone to know our opinions, interpretations, ways of doing things ~ or do we want to point to the One who knows all, sees all, and created all?

I am guilty of many, if not all of the above at different times. And I think everyone of us, is also. Our ways may fool our friends, relatives, acquaintances but the Lord knows the intentions of our hearts. We can't hide the truth of our sins from Him!

Proverbs 27:19 "As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man."

Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

As Christians, we are in a battle. The battle began in the Garden & will end when the Lord chooses. We can daily approach our tiny corner of the battlefield with prayer, guidance, humility, love and integrity & honesty.