Fighting the GOOD Fight

Fight the good fight of faith… 1 Timothy 6:12

Clinging to my dad’s leg, I hid my eyes behind my hands until his cheers gave me the courage to peek between my fingers. I saw two boxers in the heat of battle and it was intense. As a little girl, this was a Friday night ritual for my dad and me. My dad was an avid boxing fan, and… well, I was just a daddy’s girl wanting to be wherever he was. Pulling his chair close to the tv, my dad would cheer and shout, and there I’d be, sitting right by his feet in the midst of the action. It was a memorable time in my childhood, and even now I realize how much God used those “natural” fights to teach me about the “spiritual” battles I would later face. 

I remember vividly, my dad’s excitement when the guy he was cheering for won. He would always say, “Wow! That was a good fight!” I realized then that a good fight was a fight that was won. It’s the same for us today in the spiritual battles we face. This is why 1 Timothy 6:12 encourages us to fight the good fight of faith. It’s a good fight because through Christ the battle has already been won.

We can become so familiar with this passage of scripture that it loses its impact on our lives. And yet, this truth is so vital for us to walk in victory. It is inevitable that we will face battles. The Bible tells us not to be surprised by the fiery trials we encounter. It also reminds us that we have an enemy that wants to steal, kill and destroy, and he’s described as a roaring lion, prowling about, seeking whom he may devour. We need to have this revelation that the fight is fixed, so we send that lion creeping back with his tail between his legs!

Below are a few lessons I’ve learned about fighting the good fight of faith.

1. Train for the battle

The best thing you can do is train for battle. Boxers don’t enter the ring without rigorous training. Why would we not train and prepare for the battles that are inevitable? Yet, so often this is the case, and when the battle hits we’re unprepared. We prepare by reading our Bible regularly and saturating our lives with the truth of God’s Word. We prepare by spending so much time with God there is no doubt in our mind who our God is and who He created us to be because believe me, that’s the first thing satan will attack in battle. He doesn’t fight fair. He goes for the sucker punch. So let’s not be a sucker and take that punch. Let’s train hard so we see him coming and are armed and ready for the fight.

2. Use your greatest weapon

Satan’s only weapon against us is lies. He’s weak but he tries to wear us down. His lies only work if we believe them so be ready for the enemy to bombard you with lies. When he does, combat his lies with your greatest weapon – THE TRUTH (John 8:32). Child of God, you got a mean right hook! It’s a power-packed punch to the enemy when you combat Him with the Word of God.

I was reminded of John 8:44 in the midst of a recent battle. It tells us that the devil is the Father of all lies. He only speaks lies because there is no truth in him. So guess what? If the devil said it…IT’S A BIG FAT LIE. Now, think about what the opposite of that lie is? That’s the truth satan doesn’t want you to grasp a hold of, but you must. Find scriptures in the Bible that counteract his lies. Jesus fought the enemy with the truth. He said “It is written…” and the devil didn’t have a leg to stand on. God’s truth is greater than any lie satan will ever throw at us and no lie can ever stand against the truth of God’s Word. Remember, God’s promises to us are yes and amen and His word NEVER return void. In fact, His Word will always accomplish what it sets out to do. Read the Word, meditate on the word, listen to the word, sing the word, play it while you sleep so it gets into your spirit if need be. Just be sure to immerse yourself in God’s Word so that you spot those lies a mile away. 

3. Stay close to your Trainer

Looking back at those boxing matches, I remember the bell would ring and the boxers would go to their corner where their trainer would whisper in their ear. Sometimes you could tell they were encouraging them, and other times you could tell they were giving instruction. Stay close to the Lord in the midst of your battle. Psalm 144:1 says, “Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle…” There are strategies that God wants to download to you that will ensure your victory. Too often we go through things and we run to man looking for answers. Seek the Holy Spirit and listen for His small still voice. You will receive encouragement and instruction that only He can give.

Spend a lot of time with God in prayer and worship. The last thing we may feel like doing in the midst of the battle is worshiping God, but it is the best thing we could ever do. When we worship God we are taking our eyes off the circumstances and magnifying God. Worship is warfare. Pray in the spirit when you run out of words to pray. It will strengthen your inner person and release the power of God in your life. These are all weapons God has equipped us with to fight our battle and win!

4. Keep your eye on the prize

The battle may be exhausting, friend, but don’t give up. Natural fighters go through all they do because they are after the prize. Well, we have a prize waiting for us too. It’s our destiny in Christ. It’s all the good things God has planned for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

The battle you’re facing may have come from Satan, but God will use what the enemy meant to destroy you for His good and glory. God has a plan and a destiny for your life and no devil in hell can stop it. Don’t go by what you see, but call those things that are not as though they are. Keep your eye on that prize and when you feel weary, remember your victory is right around the corner. What is your heart’s desire? What has God promised you? Start declaring those things over your life. Say, “I am coming through this battle stronger than before. I am going to walk in the destiny that God has for me. This battle may be tough, but I’m tougher because Jesus lives in me and His plan for my life will come to pass!” Keep your eyes on that prize! It’s your victory in Christ Jesus!

Father, I pray for all my sisters and brothers going through the battle. I pray that they would be encouraged as they fight the good fight of faith, knowing that the fight is fixed and the battle is won. I pray for a fresh infilling of your strength and joy. I pray that your Word would illuminate in their hearts and minds, pushing out every lie. I pray that they would get a picture of the angel army encamped around them, knowing that all of Heaven is fighting for them. I declare that they would know that they know they are coming out stronger than they went in. What the enemy meant for harm, you’re going to turn it around for good in their lives, Lord. I declare great is your faithfulness over my brothers and sisters in Jesus’ Name. Amen!