Fight!

By Rene Williams

The word “fight” has many definitions. But the word generally alludes to combating an enemy, battling some kind of force or waging war against a person. Well-known prize fighters like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman and Mike Tyson were known for intimidating their opponents in the ring shortly before getting a TKO or by simply outlasting their opponent. Regularly, these fighters walked away winners. Although some fights may have lasted only a few seconds, it wasn’t as easy as it looked. These fighters underwent rigorous training including endless hours punching bags, jumping rope and running – all to get in prime condition for the few moments they had to obliterate their opponent. Underneath those shiny winner belts were years of preparation, all of which gave them the respect as “a force to be reckoned with” in boxing.

Although prize fighters may fight for a title, a belt or a purse, outside of the boxing ring, people fight, too – and for a plethora of reasons. Life’s “boxing ring” can be even bloodier than the real thing. As a matter of fact, people are dying right now in different parts of the world, fighting for a variety of causes. But it all comes down to the fact that they believe that there’s something they feel they should have that currently belongs to another.

Well, the physical world mimics the spiritual and when it comes to fighting, there is no exception. In the spirit realm, there are battles happening incessantly. Angels and demons are battling daily for people’s souls. Angels battle against satan’s imps to protect us, to guide us and to make sure that the enemy doesn’t have his way with us. If they are battling for us, how much more do we need to battle for ourselves!

Do you consider yourself a fighter? Have you been training to take on your enemy daily? Do you realize there are some things in this life you will not receive if you aren’t willing to fight? Do you realize that this even applies to things the Lord has promised you?

If we look at the story of Israelites and the Promised Land, we can see that although God spoke that He would give them “every place that the sole their foot shall trod”, they still had to take the land. How nice it would have been for them if the people already living in their Promised Land had said, “We know God has promised you this land, so we’ll go ahead and start packing.” But as you probably know, they didn’t do that. In the 8th chapter of Joshua, God clearly states His intention for them to go to war. The Bible says, “1 The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. 2 You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king”. Here the Lord is giving specific instructions to Joshua to go to battle. As a matter of fact, there are numerous accounts in scripture where God instructs His children to go to war.

If we’re honest with ourselves, intentionally going into combat is not a pleasant thought; it’s something that none of us wants to do. But it’s not all bad. Not to sound like a commercial, but there’s good news. God, as He did with Joshua, has already assured us of victory.

My child, there are many things in this life you’ll have to fight for to obtain. There are some things stored up for you – just waiting for you – but you will never obtain them if you don’t set your mind for confrontation. The fact remains that we have a daunting enemy. His goal is to make sure we walk away with less than the Lord intended. His objective is to make sure when we get in that ring with him (or one of his imps) that we are so intimidated and frightened that we either “take a dive”, that is, to just fall out and give up the fight, or just walk out of the ring. His ultimate course of action is to take us out of this life entirely. He is a formidable adversary.

But what we have on our side is more than satan could ever have. Let’s look at Deuteronomy 20. Scripture says, “1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’"

Isn’t that awesome news? Isn’t it wonderful to know that although we have to fight, we’ve already been assured of victory? One of the most amazing victories in the Bible, the story of David and Goliath, is a reminder of the faith of David and the unyielding faithfulness of God. Although David had just a rag and a rock, was just a boy and had never been to war, David had so much faith in God that he RAN to Goliath and “slew” him.

Let’s all step out in the faith of David and confront the battles which are before us. Read the 6th chapter of Ephesians and get girded up. Are you stepping away from a situation because you feel you’re not up to the fight? Have you allowed the enemy to steal what was rightfully yours? Do you feel that if you fight, your success is unsure? Well, get your boxing gloves on and prepare for the ring. God has already promised you the victory.