We don’t like the idea of having to fight because it takes consistent effort.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (NKJ)
What is a “good fight”? One you win! Or better yet, one that has already been won and all you need do is apply it.
Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (the cross). (NKJ)
If the devil is defeated, why does he cause so much trouble? He is a rebel. Rebels are not lead; they are forced. Let us look at the example of the tribes of Gad and Reuben when it was time for Israel to enter the Promise Land.
Numbers 32:20-23 Then Moses said to them: “If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the Lord for the war, 21 and all your armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven out His enemies from before Him, 22 and the land is subdued before the Lord, then afterward you may return and be blameless before the Lord and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the Lord. 23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out. (NKJ)
Fight the right fight, use the right weapons, and be obedient. Using His weapons and fighting to keep the Word active in our hearts will bring rest.
Hebrews 4:1-3b,6,11-12 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJ)
The Word of God is the only weapon that will keep the enemy under submission.
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (NKJ)
The devil likes to get us fighting the wrong battles. First, he wants us to believe he is stronger than we are. That the battle is still ongoing when, in reality, he has already been defeated. Now, we must enforce what Jesus did on the cross.
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (NKJ)
Secondly, the devil wants us to think people are our enemies. We do not fight flesh and blood, nor with carnal fleshly weapons.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (NKJ)
It’s the battlefield of the mind. The constant bombardment of thoughts attempting to get us to think contrary to the Word of God which is where we get our faith from.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJ)
We are marooned without putting faith into action.
1 Timothy 1:18-19 Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith. (Berean)
True faith is agreeing with God’s word; not trying to get God to agree with you.
