"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” (1 Timothy 6:12)
A good fight is a fight with a favorable outcome. Apostle Paul referred to the fight the Christian is engaged in as a good fight. This is so because the outcome of our conflict - with sin, Satan, the world and every battle the Christian is involved in - is already predetermined in our favor. “But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph (as trophies of Christ’s victory)….” (2 Corinthians 2:14, AMP). We are also in a good fight because we have Strong Allies on our side. Jesus Christ, our Big Brother and Intercessor is our Defense Attorney. The Holy Spirit – the Mobilizer and Executor of the Godhead is working assiduously for us, while our Father, the Almighty God Himself remains the Final Arbiter on our behalf. The scriptures say who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies (Romans 8:33).
King David was reputed to have never lost any external battles. How did King David (though under the old covenant) able to win all the time? Below are some crucial points that will enable us to win all the time:
1) Fight the opposition: “…. See, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite… and his country. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle” (Deuteronomy 2:24). God told the Israelites here that in order to possess their possessions they have to engage the opposition in battle. Stop singing “que sera sera” (whatever will be, will be!).
2) Intimacy with God: One thing King David had going for him at all times was the presence of God. He knew how to access God and hear him because of his addiction to praise. This made him win all the time. Getting back to Ziklag, and realizing he had lost all he had, he let out all emotions by crying till he could cry no more. Afterwards, he encouraged himself and called for a praise and worship session in order to hear God tell him what next. He invariably recovered all – his wives, children, valuables, his servants families and treasures. (Reference: 1 Samuel 30)
3) Grow in Grace: The grace of God is His divine ability working in His children. David grew to become a giant killer by the grace of God (Psalm 144:1), ditto Apostle Paul and every giant of faith (1 Corinthians 15:10). To grow in grace also means to grow in the art of spiritual warfare. The knowledge of God causes His grace to multiply in every area of life including spiritual warfare (2 Peter 1:2). “… and as long as King Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh…” (2 Chronicles 26:5-7).
4) Have a plan : In 1990/91 during the Gulf war, the first strategy by the Allied forces against Iraq was Operation Desert Storm which was later revised to Operation Desert Sabre. The battle plan was to first shock and awes the Iraqis with massive airstrikes bombardments to be accompanied by massive ground assault. The enemy always has a strategy against every child of God. If you are an observant Christian, you will know how Satan tries to trip you all the time. Arise with counter plans to his strategies.
5) Team up with others: David had his strong men. He conquered Jerusalem with the help of his strongmen. There are some breakthroughs you cannot singlehandedly gain. You need Other People’s Prayer, Other People’s Anointing, Other People’s Revelation, etc . “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him, and a threefold cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV). The Bible enjoins us not to forsake the assembly of other believers as the Day of The Lord approaches (Hebrews 10:25).
CONCLUSION: The Bible enjoins us to FIGHT the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12); be strong in the Lord and in His power (Ephesians 6:10);wage a good warfare (1 Timothy 1:18); not to give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27); Submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7); subdue the flesh (1 Corinthians 9:27). Brace up today and continue the fight in Jesus name. Victory is guaranteed!!
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
