Movie Message - The Dark Knight Rises
“Peace Has Cost You Your Strength, Victory Has Defeated You. ”
How many times are we defeated by our victory?
This is a powerful question that struck me after hearing what has become one of my favorite quotes from the Dark Knight Rises. Often times after our struggle of wining spiritual battle has come to a close, we relax and let our guard down.
In those moments, when you win spiritual battles, when you flee from your temptations, when the enemy hasn't hit you with anything crazy in a while, when life offers you a moment of respite and victory embraces you with arms open wide- DON'T. GET. TOO. COMFORTABLE. In whatever situation continue to grind, stay focused, stay motivated, stay hungry and remain consistent because when the next challenge comes along you never want to be caught off guard.
Bane says quote this as he is dispensing a "grade A" beat down on Batman. Like this is no average cinematic fight. Batman, yes (dun-nun-nun-nuh-duh-nuh-nuh-nuh Batman!) that Batman, is getting absolutely annihilated by Bane. He's taken 8 years off from fighting crime and it shows. His passion is still there and Bane's comment shows it, he says, "You fight like a younger man, with nothing held back. Admirable, but mistaken." All of Batman's usual defenses, the use of "theatricality and deception" are no longer effective against someone who knows his tactics all too well. He is outwitted, out strategized, overpowered and left a broken shell of who he used to be, large in part because he did not prepare for the coming battle, during times of peace.
Many of us make the same mistake as Batman, dusting off our Bible's to do intense battle with an enemy thats studied our every move. He's seen us relish our downtime after victory and eat our fill. He's seen us coast on the laurels of yesterday, not preparing for the coming storm that soon approaches. He's seen us not prepare, and is prepared to attack our blind spots, weak spots with challenges and fiery darts that are polished and sharpened, yet we haven't taken the time to polish our sword or dust off our shield for practice. As a result we rely on muscle memory to kick in, when God had new strategies to teach us. Unfortunately too often we expect to win new victories with old strategies and God is calling us to learn and grow, not coast and stay cozy.
In our downtime, we often make the mistake of taking our helmet off as if we are constantly not at war. When we let our guard down because we feel we have won, that is when the enemy decides to strike. Often it's not the hardest of blows but it's something, a thought perhaps, or a feeling that you can't shake. After watching us eat our fill of the spoils from our victory our adversary decides to strike. It starts with a subtle nudge of the Flesh, "Just text her back its nothing major, just friendly conversation." "Just watch a little bit, you can always turn it off when you're done", "Seriously you think anybody cares about that, this is just between you and ____ no one else needs to know?" "You're going to fall later anyway, you can't resist forever may as well partake now." Because we were willing to submit in these subtle ways the enemy comes for us even harder with every foothold we give him. Give him and inch he'll take a mile and take you on a journey you never thought you'd go on.
Thats why its so important that we stay sharp, stay fresh, stay ever ready. If Jesus is our blueprint who shows us the way then as our example we see that he stayed current and was connected to the Father on a regular basis. From miracle to miracle, from temptation to temptation he was constantly prepared for each situation with fresh insight, and deep connection to God. Yet in our lives we are thinking that last weeks victory is going to keep us through this weeks trial? Not so! We need fresh pursuit of new perspective from God. There are so many battles to fight, hills to mountains to climb and valleys to traverse. We must stay Current and HUMBLE so that our victory does not become the thing that ends up defeating us.
Supporting Scriptures:
- Ephesians 6:10-20 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
- Galatians 3:9 - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
- 1 Peter 5:8-11 - Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- Mark 1:35 - And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
- Luke 4:1-2a & 13 - And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. ; 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.