ODJ: fighting the good fight
May 28, 2010
Fight the good fight for the true faith (v.12)
READ: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Jacqueline’s eyes flash fury and fire. She’s the embodiment of the hot-tempered, angry, fight starter described in Proverbs 15:18, 29:22. It’s not surprising then that rather than pleading with her landlord for more time to pay her delinquent rent, she beat him up and gave him two broken ribs.
The landlord was not the first person to suffer Jacqueline’s wrath. She has slugged both strangers and neighbors alike, and two years ago she hit her husband so hard he ran off—never to return.
A while back, however, despite her behavior, Jacqueline was the direct beneficiary of two of my friends’ generosity. She was so touched by their kindness—something she hasn’t extended or received much of in her lifetime—that she decided to give up physical combat. Jacqueline has now gone 5 months without throwing a punch.
While “right hooks” aren’t highly regarded in Scripture, we’re nonetheless called to engage in a lifetime of tenacious fighting against opposition and temptation that aims to hinder our walk with Christ.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul explained that we must “fight the good fight” as we remain true to the faith (1 Timothy 6:12). In another letter, the apostle says we’re to approach spiritual warfare as an athlete would approach a competition, with discipline and with the goal of obtaining an “eternal prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25).
Finally, Paul wrote, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Unlike Jacqueline, we realize that the ultimate enemies we face are not human. Let’s choose today to prayerfully, carefully battle against our unseen enemies as we lift up the truths of Jesus. —Roxanne Robbins
What attacks from your unseen enemies have you been experiencing? What do you need to do to be better prepared for spiritual warfare?
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