The reality TV show genre has been around for a long time. Most of them feel scripted and are so over the top and dramatic. But there is one that has consistently been a social experiment unlike any other, the CBS classic Survivor.  

On Survivor, strangers are marooned on an island together with the challenge of being the last one standing by voting other competitors out of the game. The twist is the winner is voted on by the people that were voted off, every decision has a lasting impact.

The slogan of Survivor is to Outwit, Outplay and Outlast and the tension of the show is all about who is your ally and who is your enemy in disguise?

While I cannot say that I’ve watched all 48 seasons across the 25 years, I can say that I’ve reflected on the slogan over the last 25 years of my life by asking the question: in my faith, am I preparing to “outwit, outplay and outlast?”

Outwit.

There is constant tension on Survivor of who is on your side, who can you trust and who might just be really good at lying and what advantages might they have? That tension is always controlled in one way; the ability to discern the truth.

In our Christian walk, our enemy is incredibly deceitful, sowing discord and confusion just waiting to snuff out our torch. And we, like the players in Survivor, have to know how to discern the Truth.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

-         1 Peter 5:8-9

How do we stay firm in our faith and Outwit the devil? James 4:7-8 tells us that we must draw near to God. As we draw closer to God, the devil will flee from us.

As we study the Word of God, we learn how to discern the Truth from lies. Then, our confidence and identity are in the Lord and we can Outwit the devil and all his schemes.

Outplay.

Survivor is not won by the static, and likewise, we cannot sit idly and expect to outplay the devil. As 1 Peter tells us, “Satan is on the prowl, seeking to devour.”

The most common phrase from contestants across all the seasons of Survivor must be “I came here to play.” The players that have won the show did not do so passively, but they battled every day, digging deep in adversity and by building relationships with like-minded people to further advance toward the goal.

When Satan looks at our lives, does he see someone who came here to play?

Ephesians 6 implores us to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Our enemy is holding nothing back, he is fighting to destroy our eternal soul. How are we preparing to return that vigor and foil all the attacks of Satan?

When Satan looks at our spiritual lives and the battle for our soul, he should know that “we came here to play,” and he should see that we don’t play alone!

Players on Survivor who have good people around them, make it to the end proving that good alliances are critical for success.

Through the salvation we have through Jesus Christ, we live, and we must build one another up. Are you surrounding yourself with those who want your success and growth in life or people who are just looking to get ahead by any means necessary? (1 Thessalonians, Proverbs, 1 Corinthians)

Outlast.

Unlike Survivor, we already have the script for the finale – Jesus is going to outlast the enemy! And, according to Romans 5, we have also obtained access to that coming glory! Amen!

We will outlast the devil, but this does not encourage passivity. Like Survivor, every decision we make has an impact and we must outwit (study God’s Word and Truth) and outplay (practice spiritual discipline and godly company) every day and at every turn.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

-         Hebrews 10:23-25

As I watch Survivor, know that I am praying for the saints and for the Church. I pray that together we may encourage each other in our faith so that the devil knows that we came here to play and we’re going to outwit, outplay and outlast with the help of Jesus Christ!