Staying Faithful When the Game is Rigged
- Osayi
- Oct 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 1
What would be your response when the game is rigged?
When you're excelling, hitting all your milestones, but the data is manipulated to distort the score?
It's an interesting revelation to know the true story, but the contrived narrative is so much more tantalizing to those who don't want to see you succeed. The need of some to simply use your gifts and abilities to serve themselves and elevate their brand at your expense can be well...telling of how the game of life is often played.
Acknowledgement isn't Weakness
Here's the first thing to know. It's okay to acknowledge it. It's okay to admit you feel frustration, anger, or irritation. These are normal reactions to deception or betrayal. When those close to you try to use you while also sabotaging your success, it’s a natural reflex to want to push back. But we cannot let these emotions fester and harden into bitterness. Nor should we let them dictate our actions, leading us away from the purpose we are meant to fulfill.
The testing isn't always easy and it doesn't always feel fair. But that is the reality of a broken world. In a broken world, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the spirits that people allow to drive their actions. Broken people are susceptible to being vindictive, and some of us are more broken than others. So, yes, people may cut the line, take credit for your work, or even trip you up in the race just to get ahead. Sometimes, the game is rigged. But your response to those moments makes a difference.
You can:
1. Spend your time replaying the wrong that’s been done.
2. Retaliate and try to get even.
3. Quit or switch races altogether.
4. Strategize your way back into the race.
Which would you choose?
Option 1: Drains you. Trying to prove you were wronged only wears you out. It pulls your energy and focus away from your purpose and wastes precious time on things you can’t control. It can leave you stuck.
Option 2: Hardens you. Retaliation may feel good at first, but it can harden your heart, making you someone you weren’t meant to be. The gradual bitterness can erode your soul.
Option 3: Delays and denigrates you. Quitting might seem like an escape, but it just delays your progress. And worse, it chips away at your confidence.
Option 4: Realigns you. You can refuse to see setback as failure and realign with your purpose. Refocus on your mission, trust God’s plan, and let His wisdom guide you. This option keeps you on course.
Your choice matters. It’s a reflection of how you value yourself, the race you’re running, and the legacy you’re building.
So, I pose this question:
What choice allows you to be faithful to your mission without compromising God's glory in your life?
Notice what this question isn’t asking. It’s not asking what makes you feel good. It’s not asking what will make you look the best. It’s not even asking what will make you outshine others.
No, this question shifts the focus from you and directs it towards God’s purpose and will for your life. It’s a reminder that your success isn’t about personal satisfaction, it’s about fulfilling God’s plan in His time and in His way.
Seeking God’s Wisdom
If it’s truly God’s ultimate purpose that matters, then we need to seek His guidance, rather than relying on our feelings or personal goals. We have to overcome ourselves by drawing wisdom from His word, remembering that the word of God doesn't return empty without accomplishing its purpose. His purpose will prevail.
The enemy-often through human vessels-may delay God's plans but he cannot derail God's plans for your life. When you're submitted to Him, His purpose will stand. So, let your trust in the Lord overcome the desire to act on your emotions, and let His wisdom guide you. Trust that God who is Sovereign saw this coming, and will realign your steps as long as you remain faithful to who He has called you to be. When the enemy wants to throw you off course, stand firm. God is testing your faithfulness.
The Testing: Faithfulness in a Broken World
The enemy tries to tempt us to step out of the race, to quit, to compromise. But God is testing our faithfulness to stay in it. The testing may feel unpleasant, especially when those who are keeping score or running alongside us lack integrity. But God gives us wisdom in these moments:
“Be wise as a serpent, but innocent as a dove.” (Matthew 10:16)
Notice the comparison to a serpent and dove. The serpent was the creature Satan embodied to deceive the first man and woman. It represents the enemy, cunning, calculating, and deceptive. The dove, on the other hand, symbolizes the peaceful presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus draws our attention to both.
To be “wise as a serpent” means we need to be aware of the enemy’s tactics and to strategize accordingly. The enemy is subtle, often preying on our weaknesses. We need to be alert, observant, and ready to outmaneuver his schemes.
However, being “innocent as a dove” calls us to respond without compromising who we are as children of God. Our strategies are not to mirror the enemy’s wickedness; they are to reflect God’s character. This means we don’t retaliate with evil, and we don’t let anger dictate our actions. Instead, we are to respond intentionally, but with purity and integrity.
Wisdom and Innocence: A Powerful Combination
This wisdom, “wise as a serpent, innocent as a dove,” eliminates the option of retaliation. When we match wickedness with wickedness we mirror the enemy, not the Savior. We're also not called to passivity. Outwitting the enemy requires strategic action, but it’s action aligned with God’s will, not driven by fleshly desires.
In those moments when you’re tempted to lash out or give in, remember who you represent. You don’t just represent yourself, you represent Christ. And ultimately, every action will be accounted for. As the Scripture says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19). Wrongdoers will not go unpunished. God's justice is perfect, and in His time, He will right all wrongs.
Trusting God in the Process
Here’s something worth holding onto: God’s goodness outlasts any temporary setback. His purposes for your life are greater than any momentary challenge, and His promises are true, no matter what the scorecard stipulates.
So, take heart. When others choose wrongly, always choose what is right. When they rig the score, press on and stay the course. Respond in faithfulness. And trust that God will provide the wisdom, strength, and clarity you need for triumph. You can finish the race well if you don't give up, and through it all, God’s glory will shine.
Final Thoughts: Grace in the Journey
If you've experienced any form of betrayal by trusted friends, family, or church leaders, please hear my words. Not everyone represents Jesus. Do not let their actions distort your understanding of who God is or cause you to turn away from Him. Jesus loves you. Your circumstances does not change that. God is good and faithful to those who have submitted their lives to Him. Hang on to His words and let it fill your heart with the comfort and reassurance you need for each day.
And this may not be your reflex, but pray for those who have distorted His image through their wrongful actions.
Remember that in Christ we have come under grace, and grace is what allows us to keep running the race, despite the obstacles. So keep running the race God has set before you faithfully, wisely, and with a heart set on His glory. The game might be rigged, but He’s the ultimate referee, and He has the final say!
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