Fight the Good Fight of Faith
by Keith Crews
Christians are soldiers in the Lord's army. “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (II Timothy 2:3). As soldiers we must be focused on our mission and not allow the affairs of this life to deter us. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10). As soldiers, we must equip ourselves with truth, righteousness, faith, and the word of God, and we must pray (Ephesians 6:10-18).
The fight we have is a spiritual battle against the devil, and we must be prepared. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (I Peter 5:8-9). Even Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15-16).
The book of Revelation describes great battles between God’s followers and Satan (Revelation 12:7-8; 16:13-14). God will always prevail over Satan. The serpent was told from the very beginning that Christ would prevail. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15). The battle belongs to the LORD, and He will deliver His people. “Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands” (I Samuel 17:47). “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).
We do not war according to the flesh, Paul wrote. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (II Corinthians 10:3-6). The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16). Our sword is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
The war we wage is one of controlling our lusts. “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles” (I Peter 2:11-12). “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:14). We must set our minds on things of the Spirit of God. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:5-6). Cain was told, “And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). We have God’s help. “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13). Paul said, “Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into
subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (I Corinthians 9:26-27).
Paul told Timothy, “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” (I Timothy 6:12). At the close of Paul’s life, he wrote, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (II Timothy 4:6-8).
We are soldiers of Jesus Christ. We wage war every day. We take the fight to the enemy. We will not give up. We fight valiantly for ourselves and the souls of others. We will keep the faith. “Watch, standfast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13).
