Most people are familiar with the game Super Mario. Throughout this video game, Mario is trying to finish without dying so he can go to the next level. Some tokens can make Mario bigger or have a cape in the game. You may be asking how Super Mario and making it to the finish line go hand in hand. Allow me to explain. As we go through our lives, the enemy likes to send distractions our way and throw us off course. Throughout Super Mario, different entities are trying to distract Mario from finishing the course. If you recall, if Mario gets too close to the entity, he will either die or shrink, depending on his size.

The closer we get to God, the more we read our Word, the stronger we become. When the enemy tries to distract us, we can fight back with the Word of God. For example, putting on the Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) will help us withstand his attacks. I mentioned early on that in the video game, if Mario gets too close to the entities, he will die. Sin or falling prey to those distractions can result in a spiritual death with God. Suppose someone has a habit that they are struggling with; if they are not rooted and grounded in the Word, they can potentially fall into that sin, and their relationship with God will result in spiritual death.

For example, let's say someone had a drinking habit in the past and now they are sober. They go to an event with family and friends, knowing they have been on a sobriety path. Let's also note that they have a job interview at a prestigious company the following day at 8 AM. This individual is offered a drink several times and declines several times until the very last time, they end up taking a drink, and before you know it, they are drunk out of their mind, end up at home somehow not knowing how, oversleep the next day, misses their interview,  and someone else gets the job; Now, maybe they're upset at God. Their anger towards God sends them on a downward spiral, and it just worsens. In this example, this person's finish line was a possible job opportunity at this prestigious company. Still, the distraction that the enemy sent caused a spiritual death with God, and their life went downhill after.

John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." He wants to steal your peace, joy, promotion, relationship, future, you name it. He wants to kill your dreams. He wants to destroy your future, your life, your family, etc. I used drinking as an example, but to be honest, it could be bad relationships, smoking, gossip, overspending, etc. Whatever the enemy has tried to trip you up with, I encourage you to hit back with the Word.

Matthew 4 says, "But Jesus said, "It is written, 'Man is not to live on bread only. Man is to live by every Word that God speaks. Then, the devil took Jesus up to Jerusalem, the holy city. He had Jesus stand on the highest part of the house of God. The devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. It is written, 'He has told His angels to look after You. In their hands they will hold You up. Then Your foot will not hit against a stone.'" Jesus said to the devil, "It is written also, 'You must not tempt the Lord your God.'" If you have dreams that the Lord has placed in your heart, I encourage you to make it to the finish line. Anytime the enemy tries to distract you, repeat the Word to him.

One thing to be aware of is that the enemy often comes with the same distractions. If you no longer smoke, the enemy might try to send someone your way to see if you want to hang out and smoke. I believe that if the enemy can't get you to fall back into your old habits, he will try other ways to get you to fall. The critical point is to stay on guard and seek God continually.