Fighting Does Not Mean Winning, But Winning Does Mean Fighting

The king of Israel sent back this answer: “A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.” [1 Kings 20.11]

Threats are just that, threats.

Ahab's advice (if you will) here to Ben-hadad was telling to say the least. But even more telling is the timeless lesson Ahab's advice gives us today.

Our enemy, the devil, makes threats to us every day. No, most of us don't hear the devil's voice, but we hear his threats: threats that warn that a certain number of us will get sick, experience hardships, and suffer. He threatens us that we need insurance because tragedy will eventually necessitate it. He threatens us that our financial future is uncertain and that we must prepare for it as well as the present.

Note: I am not proposing here that we throw prudence to the wind. I am not proposing that we neglect taking care of our bodies and our finances. Like Ahab, however, I am proposing that we understand that the devil's threats are just that, only threats. No, we have not defeated him in every circumstance yet, but, Jesus has and we have His testimony that we can too.

So, what do we do?

We fight in the confidence of Jesus Christ. We resist sickness and poverty because our Savior has told us we have His Name to move every mountain.

But why do we do this? Just to be healthy and wealthy? NO!

We go in the power and might of God's Holy Spirit because His Kingdom is to be built. Jesus said it best (quoting Isaiah), “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”

We are on mission. This does not mean we will not face trials. But it does mean we can have confidence that we are not defeated just because we are threatened! Our job is not different than Jesus demonstrated on earth.

As long as we are alive, we are fighting - fighting the good fight of faith as Paul the apostle put it. No, fighting does not mean winning, but winning does mean fighting!

Father, I don't want to cower to threats! Help me to fight the good fight of faith!