Champion

Champion

noun

1. a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, especially in sports.
2. a person who fights or argues for a cause or on behalf of someone else.

Champions view themselves differently than the average person does. Here are some characteristics of champions.

First of all, champions see themselves through the eyes of God. Their identity comes from God and not from people or possessions. Champions are not intimidated by what others think about them. Champions don’t need others to tell them who they are because they know who they are. Champions are people who have been through thick and thin, hold their ground in conflict and bear up against adversity. Champions are people who hold out under stress and stand firm even if they have to stand alone.

Champions persevere under pressure, they wait calmly and courageously. Champions resist weariness and defeat. In other words, they do not allow their circumstances to rule them.

The Apostle Paul is a great example for us to follow when it comes to facing hardships. Acts 20:22-24 says, “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul understood that overcoming in life required him to press through challenging times and overcome a victim’s mentality. Just like Paul, champions are people who prevail in life. In other words, they gain the upper hand and the mastery.

Champions are not ashamed to stand up for what they believe in. They are not intimidated by other people’s opinion. Winning in life requires us to take on these characteristics.

Finally, those who have the mentality of champions have also decided to take control of their passions. In other words, they have learned to control their thoughts, their words, their actions and their attitude.

People are not born champions, rather champions are grown and developed. They have taken the principles discussed and applied them to their lives on a consistent basis.

~Marlando Jordan

Champion

transitive verb

1 : to act as militant supporter of : uphold, advocate always champions the cause of the underdog. 2 : to protect or fight for as a champion

I read the following devotion recently about the Holy Spirit. When I read the title “He Champions You,” it really resonated with me. I usually think of the word champion as a person who wins a title or an award in sports. Like a surface level accomplishment. Thinking of champion as a verb is a much richer, deeper concept. When we champion something or someone we are upholding, believing, supporting and advocating for it/them. For me, understanding that the Holy Spirit is championing me brings such comfort and confidence. Not confidence in my abilities, but confidence in God’s. If God allows the Holy Spirit to champion us, it should confirm in our hearts that the God of the universe is for us. He champions us so we can champion Him. I pray the following devotion encourages you today.

Your friend,

Tiffany

Benefits to Having The Holy Spirit, A 5-Day Devotional by Jeannie Cunnion

He Champions You

In John 14:16–17, Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”  

It’s easy to ignore the Holy Spirit when we’ve been told, or have just assumed, that He isn’t all that relevant or necessary to a thriving faith. “Why do I need the Holy Spirit when I have Jesus?” is a fair question a lot of Christians ask. But today’s passage will help ensure that’s a question none of us will ask again.

The Greek word translated “helper” in this verse is parakletos; which literally means “called to one’s side.” But this wasn’t just any helper. See, even more exciting is how Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be “another Helper.” The Greek word translated “another” in this verse is allon; which, in this context, translates as “another of the same kind.”

Jesus is assuring the disciples, and us, that the Holy Spirit isn’t “less than” Him or even “similar” to Him, but just like Him! 

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit coexist as the eternal (no beginning and no end), omnipresent (existing everywhere at all times), omniscient (knowing everything), omnipotent (all-powerful) Godhead.

The Spirit’s presence is the manifestation of the Trinity among us today, and though He carries the same authority and shares the same attributes as God the Father and God the Son, He performs distinct functions. This is important and speaks to the tragedy of the Spirit often being neglected and forgotten. God the Holy Spirit does specific work in us that differs from that of God the Father and God the Son. 

In the ESV translation, we just read that the Holy Spirit is called “another Helper” by Jesus, but in other translations—because parakletos is too full of meaning to translate into just one word—the Holy Spirit is also called our “Comforter,” “Counselor,” “Advocate,” “Strengthener,” “Intercessor,” “Standby,” and “Champion.”

What will make a dramatic difference in how you live is knowing that God Almighty dwells inside you by His Spirit, and then believing that everything that is His is yours. His power. His wisdom. His strength and joy. His peace and comfort. His love. God manifests all of Himself, in His people, through His Spirit.

If you’re struggling to love an unlovable person, or forgive an offense that the world tells you is unforgivable, or heal from a devastating heartbreak, the Holy Spirit wants to help you. He is able to help you. How do we know? Because the Holy Spirit’s role is to make us more like Jesus, and this is who Jesus is. He loves His enemies, forgives His accusers and killers, and brings wholeness and healing to brokenness.

Where there are strongholds of sin that need to be broken. Where there is spiritual warfare that needs to be won. Where there is toxic thinking that needs breakthrough. This is where the Spirit of God is desperately needed and more than capable.

Do we believe this? Everything we need is inside of us—all and only—because the Holy Spirit inside us is all-sufficient. This doesn’t mean we don’t need community or friendship or help from outside sources. It means we can have confidence because the God inside us wholly equips us for what’s before us.