Hulk Hogan, a world wrestling superstar, got in the face of his opponents. He’d poke his finger in their chest, push his face into their space, and proclaim without any fear that he’d SNAP THEM IN HALF LIKE A TOOTHPICK!!
I want you to be a better trash talker. Why? Because your fiercest enemies are trash talking all the time. If you listen to them, you will lose.
The Bible teaches you to respond with some trash talking of your own and put these enemies in their place. Well, it’s really not trash talking but truth talking because it comes from God. Here it is, “‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
Take a cue from the Bible here for some truth talk!
When Jesus died, he paid for your sins. When Jesus rose, he signed the receipt one time for all your sins. You are forgiven for everything for everlasting. Here is truth talk: “Hey sin, Jesus died and rose so God’s law cannot curse me, you do not make me dirty, and Jesus’ empty tomb empowers me to say ‘no’ to you, sin!”
When Jesus died, he became the victim of death for you. When Jesus rose, he became the victor over death for you. Here is truth talk: “Hey death, do you really think you won? You think I’m afraid of you? Jesus rose and you are not in charge. New life from Jesus with my name on it is in charge, and I’m going to live that life now and in heaven. And you can’t stop me!”
When Jesus died, the devil thought he won. Then Jesus rose to life, exalted to all glory and power, and chained the devil to hell forever. Like a vicious dog, the devil barks a lot but can only go so far. He’s chained, limited, and imprisoned. Here is truth talk: “Hey devil, sure you’re real, but I’m not afraid of you trying to intimate me and manipulate me. You are full of lies, but Jesus is my truth and life. He is Lord, not you!”
There is nothing in your earthly life that can defeat death, nothing in your person or soul that can take care of sin, and no weapon powerful enough to protect you from the devil. But Jesus conquered them all for you, and gives you his victory!
That’s reason enough to improve your trash talk (truth talk) game.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, you have risen and given me the victory. Help me to live like it. Make me stronger as I approach my enemies without fear. Empower my words with your living truth. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. The word “therefore” connects the victorious promises of God (trash talk, truth talk) to what it looks like when we believe and live those promises. So, what does it look like?