“Fight the Good Fight!” The great apostle Paul would pass on this final charge to his novice apprentice and spiritual son, Timothy. What do you expect to hear from an overachiever, who diligently surrendered all that he was to pursue such a fulfilling and satisfying life in Christ? This no-nonsense leader reminded us all that no one can avoid confronting conflict on this side of eternity. This is not so encouraging if you are trying to get by on life’s journey without a fight. Here is the deal, the struggle never needs to stop you from finishing strong.
This charge is about having the correct approach and strategy when facing opposition. Oftentimes, when you get pushed in a corner for too long, you may start swinging and hit anything that’s in your way. As a result, so much is lost because you hurt anyone coming towards you in your aim of fire. What will make the difference between an excellent fight and a losing quarrel? A good fight is not just the one that ends with you standing, but the one that brings God the glory. Deuteronomy 20:4 says it like this, “For the Lord, your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
The advantage is to position yourself on the winning side. The power punch will always come from the place of God’s purpose. We are frequently in the ring fighting against what we should be fighting for. Have you ever found yourself not backing down and in the end, won the battle, but lost the war? This is especially true when it comes to relationships we should be protecting. We are busy fighting against people and not fighting against the problem. If we spent more time targeting and destroying our pride, then perhaps we will preserve what matters most. There are many times you need to fight against the enemy of your soul. Overcoming temptation and your flesh takes skill and strategy. Are you ready to win? This is what you must know: God is the game changer. You must allow Him to go with you, “ultimate victory comes from the Lord God” (Proverbs 21:31b). . If the Lord is leading you, then He will show you what you must protect and what you need to push out. Your outlook may have the power to change the final outcome.
For further encouragement, read Psalm 35:1-10.
