Fighting does not come naturally for me. I wish it did…

Perhaps because I grew up 20 years removed from the Korean War and heard of constant threats from the north. Or perhaps because I was bigger than most other kids my age and I didn’t want to hurt them. I don’t know, but fighting does not come easily for me.

But as Christians, we are commanded to fight and to conquer. What are we to fight? Certainly not other Christians or our spouse! But the world, the flesh, and the devil! 

“You once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience – among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh…” Eph 2:2-3

And Jesus says in Rev 2:7, “To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” 

And the Apostle Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim. 4:7

The Christian life is a fight to the end. If you are not fighting, then you are either dead or seriously backsliding. The current (the world, the flesh, and the devil) is moving downward and we must constantly swim upstream to survive.

– The world: The desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride of life. This is envying and yearning for what we don’t have, and being proud of what we do have.

– The flesh: Sexual immorality, drugs, alcohol, addiction of any kind…

– The devil: His lies about God and about our redeemed status.

This fighting is done internally and daily. It is done with discipline and vigorous watching. It is done with comrades in arms. It is done by beating up our body and making it obedient if we have to.

Fight the good fight of faith. Or you will die.

PH