"Speed is the rapidity of action. It applies to both time and space. Speed over time is tempo-- the consistent ability to operate quickly. Speed over distance, or space, is the ability to move rapidly. Both forms are genuine sources of combat power. In other words, Speed is a weapon. In war, it is relative speed that matters rather than absolute speed. " - MCDP 1 Warfighting
In a race, it does not matter how fast I am running unless I am running faster than my opponent, (assuming, of course, my objective is to actually win.)
In a fight, it does not matter how skilled I am in throwing my fists unless I am more skilled than my opponent.
In a marriage, it does not matter how much I love my wife, unless I love her more than any other.
In a survival scenario, it does not matter how long I can live, unless I can outlive the circumstances acting against me.
We all know this to be true, the importance of relative speed over absolute speed, but so often we focus our efforts on the absolute. Focusing on the absolute is helpful if it is absolutely faster than the adversary - This presupposes we have done our research on the enemy. A fallacy I have encountered is focusing on how often I am reading my bible, how often I am in prayer or intentional thought and practice of the gospel, all of which is in vain if my mind is more devoted to the things of the world. The relative love, as opposed to the absolute measure of love of Holiness needs to be pursued. My love of Holiness bears no fruit if my love for wordiness outweighs it.
spot on. passions produce pressure. the insist on being practiced. when two passions clash, the more intense one will prevail. our passions are often at war within ourselves, which is the natural state of the regenerated Christian who now possesses two natures: an old man and a new man. war is the two opposing wills attempting to win. however, we are not at the mercy of our passions, we have the ability to feed which passions we prefer and to empower and equip and outfit them with the energy and firepower they need to win the battle. Napoleon famously said that an army marches on its stomachs. so it goes with our passions. the ones you feed have what they need to win their battles.
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