Kryptonite and Christians

Have you ever watched anything with Superman in it? For super hero’s he’s one of best and oldest characters – and he’s the most famous. No matter if you’ve watched him or not, there is something that comes up in the story line which threatens his powers: kryptonite.

This comes up over and over again as his enemies seek to use it for his demise. It comes up in different plots as it’s the only thing that can defeat him. Yet, time and time again, Superman finds a way to overcome these attacks and display his dominance as a super hero.

For us, there is Kryptonite for every area of life. This affects relationships, marriages, parenting, careers, attitudes and yes, Christians too.

There are weaknesses that lurk around the corner and seek to devour God’s plan and derail key parts of our lives. This happens all too often as defeat screams in victory over areas that are important to us, which is why we must be sober and vigilant (see 1 Peter 5:8).

But what should we look for when it’s Kryptonite and Christians?

Jesus has given us power over the enemy, and we can defeat him. In truth, there is nothing he can do to us that God hasn’t already solved. Therefore, we have to know what Kryptonite he uses against us so we can be wise and overcome it.

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:18-19

These verses give us His great commission, and they also show the Kryptonite the enemy uses against us. You see, our greatest cause and calling is to lead as many people to Jesus as possible. It’s simple and direct. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. This is the call and mission of every Christian and church, period.

But, our enemy uses Kryptonite to distract and weaken us. The main way he does this is selfishness. This is the biggest weapon he uses to trick families, individuals, churches and leaders. It’s this scheme that can look good, sound, godly and appear to be spiritual, yet destroy His purpose.

This Kryptonite shows through behaviors like majoring on the minors and making it hard for people to come to Jesus. Too often, rules and expectations are laid on to others but not even practiced by those who enforce them. When this happens, momentum is crushed. Excuses are made for why there is little or no growth and to why they are right, while others are wrong.

We have to quash this since it boils down to the Kryptonite of selfishness.

But something happens when we are selfless and think of ways to show Jesus to those around us. From this attitude we see people through grace and mercy. We see doctrine or style as something we have but not something we use to exclude others. We constantly think in terms of bridging people to Him and reaching them where they are. Remember, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. So we go to them.

When we are selfless, we discover who we were made to be, and we do what He wants us to do. When this happens, God’s Spirit will move like never before.

Isn’t this what we want?

Of course it is! Therefore, we must know our Kryptonite and defeat it. I encourage you to think bigger than yourself. See the bigger picture and be a part of it. Believe that when others are blessed, you are too. Reach for someone, because someone reached for you.

This is how we live. This is how we discover our purpose. This is how we live to the fullest. Smash the Kryptonite, and arise to new levels by living selflessly.

In Christ this is possible. One step at a time,