Nowadays, our society marks its victories with a symbolic object known as a trophy. According to the dictionary, a trophy is “an object, reminder of a success or victory; an award given in a contest; spoils obtained from a war to credit triumph.”
I remember being sent to a dealership in Austin, TX to setup a new mainframe and computer equipment. We thought it was quite odd that the owner’s office was heavily guarded and always locked. We had to request permission to enter the room in order to install the owner’s new equipment. When the owner’s secretary opened the door for us, I was in awe seeing the different hunting trophies the man possessed. There was the head of a lion, several antelope and a rhinoceros hanging from the walls. Not only that, but on the floor he had the skins of zebras being used as carpets. He also had the stuffed remains of a gigantic bear standing over six feet tall. On his desk there were elephant tusks that served as decorations. As I looked at that scene, the Lord spoke to me and explained that in the same manner, the devil would like to have us as trophies and expose us in his infernal galleries. That is why the Bible advises that we should run away from the devil in order to avoid becoming fair game. The Bible also provides the experiences of some characters that, without caution, got themselves caught by the devil and became his trophies. The question thus rises, who are the devil’s trophies?
I. THOSE WHO BECOME AN AWARD ONCE THEY’VE LOST THE OBEDIENCE CONTEST
“The next day, when the Philistines came to rob the dead, they found Saul and his three sons dead on Mount Gilboa. They cut off Saul’s head and stripped off his armor. Then they spread the good news all through Philistine country in the shrines of their idols and among the people. They displayed his armor in the shrine of the Ashtoreth. They nailed his corpse to the wall at Beth Shan.” (1 Samuel 31:8-10)
A. Saul started out as an excellent contestant
1. His name means “Desired”
a. Without a doubt he was loved deeply by his father
2. He was obedient and fulfilled even the simplest of requests
a. Some of his father’s donkeys had gotten lost
b. When asked to go look for the donkeys, Saul immediately obeyed
c. No complaints, arguments or excuses
B. It was during this quest, that Saul had an encounter with God’s prophet
1. Samuel had been told by God about the young man’s visit
2. The encounter was awesome and life-changing
a. Saul was anointed king
b. Saul was given clear instructions on how to be anointed with God’s Spirit
c. Saul’s heart was changed
3. Saul was also advised about the importance of obedience
“When these confirming signs are accomplished, you’ll know that you’re ready: Whatever job you’re given to do, do it. God is with you!” (1 Samuel 10:7)
C. Saul seemed to be willing to obey and please God in all he did
1. He was eventually presented as the new king
a. Without a doubt, Saul was scared and he hid
2. When others challenged his authority, he simply forgave
a. There were those who criticized him harshly
3. When others needed help, he risked it all to provide it
a. Nahash (Serpent) had threatened to injure 7,000 of Israel’s men
b. He wanted to gouge their right eye as a sign of their defeat
c. Saul allowed God’s Spirit to guide him in order to rescue the people who were in danger
i. He gathered an army
ii. He surprised the enemy and destroyed them
D. Unfortunately, Saul began to disobey
1. He offered the sacrifice which should have been offered by Samuel
a. Because of this, Saul’s kingdom would not endure
b. It would be given to someone else
2. Still, Saul was granted another opportunity to display obedience
a. Saul was to go and destroy the Amalekites completely along with everything they owned
i. They were to be destroyed for their evil actions
ii. They were a threat to the middle tribes of Israel
iii. 500 years before, they had attacked Israel’s people who had lagged behind because they were tired and weak
iv. God wanted to keep His word and punish these people
b. But Saul decided to disobey the instructions once again
i. He took all the possessions that were good
ii. Worst of all, Saul decided to leave Agag alive
3. Saul was finally cast out
a. For his disobedience
i. That drove him to lie
ii. That caused him to act recklessly
iii. That caused his pride to surface
b. For taking God’s Spirit and presence too lightly
4. He suffered grave consequences
a. God’s Spirit finally departed from him
i. An evil spirit began to torment him
ii. Saul became a coward
iii. He became extremely jealous
iv. He was became a murderer
E. In the end, the devil defeated Saul
1. He committed suicide
2. He influence his armor bearer to follow his example
F. Today, the devil would love for you to become his trophies
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
1. If he can make you lose the obedience contest, he’ll have you for lunch!
a. The devil is not too concerned about where you’ve come from
b. He’s not concerned either about what God’s plans are for your life
2. The devil will always be there to challenge you to disobey God
“For everything in the World — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2:16)
a. The example of Jesus
i. The devil challenged Him to turn stones into bread
ii. Challenged Him to throw Himself from the top of the Temple
iii. Challenged Him to bow down and worship in exchange for worldly kingdoms
iv. But Jesus defeated him at every challenge
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15, 16)
3. But we have all we need to win and avoid becoming the devil’s trophies
“If your heart is broken, you’ll find GOD right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. Disciples so often get into trouble; still, GOD is there every time. He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken. The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good. GOD pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.” (Psalm 34:18-22)
What a waste our lives would be if, after serving God for such a long time, the devil would end up making us his trophies. Can you imagine him boasting to his demons in hell? What stories would he tell about you and how he finally defeated you? But this does not have to be a reality. Because Jesus has paid the price, you and I do not have to end up like Saul and become the devil’s trophies.
