How To Know Something Is Worth Fighting For

Last week, in the message, Is It Time To Flee?, we discussed how the Bible gives precise instructions on when we are to FIGHT and when we are to FLEE.

But you, O man of God, FLEE these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 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 6:11-12 (NKJV)

Sometimes there is a need to get involved in a fight on behalf of our faith, but we can not enter that battle haphazardly or casually -- we must move forward with intentionality. And a significant part of choosing to fight spiritual battles with intentionality is choosing to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10 NKJV)

No one can put on the armor of God for you; it’s something you must do yourself.

Memorize the armor elements and pray through their placement in your life daily, the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, loins girded with Truth, the sword of the Spirit, and feet Shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. God has called and commissioned you to fight the GOOD FIGHT of faith, and you must be equipped for battle, “Fight the GOOD FIGHT of faith…” (1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV)

There are two kinds of spiritual fights that exist, one is the good fight, and one is the bad fight. Let’s examine examples of the differences between the two.

BAD FIGHT vs. GOOD FIGHT

PERSONAL RECOGNITION vs. GOD’S GLORY

PERSONAL OPINION vs. GOD’S TRUTH

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE vs. GOD’S PLAN

PERSONAL PREFERENCE vs. GOD’S PRESENCE

PROVE A POINT vs. BLESS OTHERS

TEAR DOWN vs. BUILD-UP

HURT OTHERS vs. HELPS OTHERS

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY vs. SOUND DOCTRINE

We best sum this up by saying that a GOOD FIGHT happens when we fight for others, not against them.

• Hell’s PLOT: We fight each other.

• God’s PLAN: We fight for each other.

It is not God’s plan for us to be fighting each other; we are to be fighting for each other! Why? Because we do not wrestle against FLESH and BLOOD, we wrestle against powers and principalities! Yes, you may be dealing with a personality, but that personality is hosting spiritual darkness. Never lose sight of that truth. It will help you to keep the fight from becoming personal.

When the enemy uses people to come against us, hard conversations become unavoidable. But, unfortunately, those conversations can often feel like a fight. So, how do you have the necessary discussions and maintain a good fight, not a bad fight?

When HARD CONVERSATIONS must take place, follow this strategy:

1. CONVERSE PRIVATELY FIRST

Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. - Matthew 18:15 (NKJV)

2. SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE

...no longer be children… carried about with every wind of doctrine...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in Christ-

-Ephesians 4:14-15 (NKJV)

3. FILL YOUR SPEECH WITH GRACE

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. -Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)

4. OFFER BLESSING, NOT CURSING

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…” If your enemy is...thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” -Romans 12:12, 20 (NKJV)

At the best you can do, there will still be moments when you recognize a SPIRITUAL fight is becoming increasingly PERSONAL. I borrow Paul’s recommendations for suggesting your next step, “Now I urge you, brethren, NOTE those who cause divisions and offenses...and AVOID them. (Romans 16:17 NKJV)

The takeaway of that verse is that sometimes, when dealing with challenging personalities, we have to take good notes (if you’ve ever been through a legal battle, you know what I’m talking about!), and on occasions, altogether avoid them.

Another way of saying it is that sometimes we have to understand that there will be personality conflicts with people. However, we can still love and bless them while simultaneously setting healthy boundaries, so that offense and bitterness do not take root within our hearts.

It’s essential to align our battle strategies with God’s instructions because the result will be something we can celebrate, “I want you to be wise in what is GOOD… And the God of peace will CRUSH Satan under your feet shortly.” (Romans 16:17-18 NKJV)

Give God praise! This approach is how you will win! It’s amazing what happens when you stop trying to fight your way -- the bad fight -- and fight God’s way -- the good fight!

“Fight the GOOD FIGHT of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called…” (1 Timothy 6:12). In this letter, Paul is telling Timothy to fight the GOOD FIGHT. Years later, Paul writes another letter stating, “I have fought the GOOD FIGHT, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV)

• I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH!

Don’t you want that proclamation to be your testimony?

Your kids are worth fighting for... your family is worth fighting for... your calling is worth fighting for… God’s church and God’s truth -- sound doctrine is worth fighting for... Don’t stop fighting! Fight the GOOD FIGHT, it won’t come cheap, and you may have to sacrifice your pride, personal recognition, and even personal preference at times. But, I challenge you to realize that there is no more remarkable testimony than to say, “I have kept the faith, I have fought the GOOD FIGHT, God CRUSHED the enemy under my feet!

You can view the message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/smWkQi0Gu9o

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES

How To Fight Your Battles

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

- 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NKJV)

God is using 1 Peter 1:13-16, a New Testament verse that in part quotes the Old Testament, to help us understand that holiness is to be carried out generation after generation. What does it mean to be holy? In its most simple form, set apart. When God commands you, “Be holy, for I am holy,” He is commissioning you to be set apart from the world for His service.

In this message, How To Fight Your Battles, my goal is to relay what I believe Scripture teaches regarding the battlefront of the Christian life. Do you ever just think…I wish I weren’t this way…I wish I could change…I wish I could be different? If your answer is yes, you need to understand something; there is a war inside you.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish. -Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)

This scripture proves that we have a war going on inside of us. Sometimes you wish for something different, yet you continue to handle and deal with things in the same way. This is because we all have spirit and flesh. These two inner realities are constantly fighting against each other—the Spirit wars against the flesh and the flesh wars against the spirit.

Your soul is made up of your mind, your will, and your emotions. The soul is a battleground. Your flesh wants to pull your soul into the things that lead to further destruction, but your spirit wants to pull your soul into a life-giving place. The one you feed the most is the one who wins. Paul said it this way, “Sow to the flesh and you will reap of the flesh, but sow to the Spirit, and you will reap the things of the Spirit” (Ref. Galatians 6:8).

Our flesh feeds on things of this world, but our spirit feeds on God’s Word.

The flesh’s appetite is described in 1 John 2:16: For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but of the world.

The flesh will always desire to feed in one of these three categories, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life; all sin stems from one of these areas.

The appetite of the Spirit is described in Luke 4:4: But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

Are you feeding your flesh, or are you feeding your spirit?

Your answer is essential because feeding the flesh can cause separation from God and create a feeling of “shame on you.” But when you feed the spirit, you are in the presence of God, and you experience great peace within your life, a “peace beyond yourself.”

Are you experiencing separation from God, or are you set apart for God?

You are in one of two places:

1) Set apart from the world by the Word

2) Separated from the Word by the world.

Often understanding is limited when it comes to recognizing what it means to be set apart for God. Yet, the Bible has some powerful verses regarding this exact thing:

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. -2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV

Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart (be set apart) from iniquity.” -2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)

How do you know if you are SET APART?

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, -2 Timothy 2:22-25 (NKJV)

Are you AVOIDING:

1. Youthful lusts (v. 22)

2. Foolish disputes (v. 23)

3. Quarrels (v. 24)

4. Prideful correction of others (v. 25)

Are you PURSUING:

1. Faith, love, and peace with other believers (v. 22)

2. Gentleness (v. 24)

3. Patience (v. 25)

4. Humility (v. 25)

Paul is teaching us that there are some things you must run from, and there are other things that you must run towards! First, we must focus on feeding our spirit! Second, we must yield to the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to pursue holiness in our lives because sin act’s like an infection within the soul, and it will spread until it causes death.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. -James 1:14–15 (NKJV)

Holiness doesn’t bind; it frees! It frees us from the decay and death of sin. And liberates us into the life and peace of Jesus.

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. -Romans 8:6 NKJV

If I could summarize this message in one sentence, it would be this statement, You are separated from God by the world or set apart for God by the Word, and everything God sets apart He surrounds.

And...that is how we fight our battles victoriously:

It may look like I'm surrounded

But I'm surrounded by You

It may look like I'm surrounded

But I'm surrounded by You

It may look like I'm surrounded

But I'm surrounded by You

It may look like I'm surrounded

But I'm surrounded by You

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

This is how I fight my battles

-Elyssa Smith (UPPERROOM)

I invite you to view this message, How To Fight Your Battles, in its entirety at this link: https://fb.watch/7rsfWXQ4ry/

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES