There's a Crack in Your Armor Perry Stone

I enjoyed the sport so much that I enjoyed the practice, knowing that each type of training would make me a better athlete. In track I usually placed in the long jump and high jump; I also enjoyed the training during the week before the competition with other schools. However, wrestling was the least enjoyable of all the sports. In fact, I eventually dropped out of the 135-pound weight group and retired for good from the idea of wrestling competition. In football, as the pace of the game picked up, you could at least get a break in the huddle and catch your breath before the next play. During track meets I would watch others, anticipating my turn in line. In wrestling the entire match was nonstop action—grabbing arms and legs, tugging, pulling, yanking, jerking—and brought misery when the opponent had you on your back and you were attempting to breathe with much of your opponent’s weight pressing on your chest! We know from Paul’s revelation that there are four demonic competitors: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and wicked spirits in heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). Some of these spirits rule from the cosmic heavens, others on earth, and others through people. Thus we have conflicts above us, around us, upon us, and near us. These invisible yet tangible spirits and enemies of righteousness are experienced masters of lies, deception, and evil strategies. They have thousands of years of experience in dealing with nations, leaders, and common individuals. However, understanding how Greek athletes trained and seeing the parallels to our own spiritual wrestling will bring insight to help you better understand how to prepare for your ultimate contest with the