A story is told about a band of Caesar’s soldiers.  They were brave warriors sailing toward a little island off the coast of Britain, readying themselves for the conquest of that island.
In response to their impending attack, the villagers grabbed anything they could get to fight with—sticks, pitchforks, rakes and rocks.  They started down the hill to meet these soldiers and defend their island.
When the soldiers got out of their boat, they turned around and set fire to the boat and shoved it out into the ocean.  When the people of the village saw that, they laid down their pitchforks, rakes and sticks and surrendered.  Do you know why?  These brave warriors had not come to retreat; they had come to conquer or die, but not retreat.
How about your Christian life?  Have you kept a boat pulled up on the beach?  Perhaps you’ve said, “Well, I’m going to quit drinking, but I’m going to keep a bottle of liquor—just in case I go back.”  You will. And do you know why?  Because you are already backing up.  The devil has already gotten you intimidated.
What you need to say is, “I will overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, the word of my testimony and I will love not my life unto the death.  I am going for God.”
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