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Fight The Good Fight
Fight the good fight of the faith. — 1 Timothy 6:12
I love this short text because fight is used both as a noun and a verb. The word means to exchange in a violent battle. And this statement by Paul infers something and clarifies something.
First, it infers that what Paul tells Timothy to do will be hard. It might be one of the hardest challenges in Timothy's life. And I believe spiritual leaders and mentors should tell their disciples that being a disciple is hard. In addition, they should push them to do hard things sometimes. We have soft spiritual men, husbands, fathers, and leaders because we invite them to do easy things. In my humble opinion, we have lowered the bar too far. I think we should do exactly the opposite. We should tell them more often to do something hard and learn to put up a spiritual fight. To fight for their marriage through infidelity rather than opting out. To fight for the right to embrace their spiritual beliefs at work rather than caving to shame and fear. To fight against the sin, they have had issues with for years and give it a beating rather than allowing it to beat them up.
But! And this is a big "but."
The second thing Paul does is clarify that it may be a hard-fought fight, but it's not against people. It's not a violent battle against people in a cage. Instead, it's a battle for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness in Timothy. And as he enters the ring with people who want to battle with him, he will have to first fight a hard-fought battle within himself. And that's where every good battle of faith is fought first, right within our hearts and desires.
This is the battle we need to be fighting. It's the fight right before the fight. It's the fight we fight right before we fight with our wives. Or the fight we fight right before we indulge in a selfish desire. That's the good fight. That's the hard fight. And that's the one we need to fight with more effort. So stop being a wuss, and get out there and fight cause that's the best fight we can ever fight.
ASK THIS: What fight are you fighting today? Is it a good one?
DO THIS: Stop being a wuss and fight it.
PRAY THIS: God, help me to see the first fight. The one right before the wrong fight.
PLAY THIS: Surrounded (Fight My Battles).
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Amen John let’s keep each other in prayer as we pray for our kids.
Good stuff Vince. I’m going to try using one of your devo’s for a new 1x/month Men’s Night Out starting after the holidays to reach other guys who don’t engage in our full GodBuddies discussions on Saturday mornings. I’ll send the link out via text the night before with a reminder of our gathering and we’ll discuss it briefly over a beer at a local pub. Keep up the great work!
Are there men in your group that quietly battle with alcoholism?
A cafe may be a better choice?
Thanks for the suggestion, Dennis. We did consider this but determined guys are more likely to grab a beer together whereas women will go out for a cup of coffee. We are not aware of any current struggles among the guys we’d reach but –as we all know, we hide it well but hope that as we develop connections, they might open up or we’ll see anyone over-indulge, which could lead to additional conversations.
I think only one buddy in my circle actually drinks at all. They’d more likely enjoy a breakfast at a local burger joint
Loved the analogy today of the recognizing the “First Fight before the wrong fight” is is an excellent visualization of what I need to be looking for.
Thank you God and Vince
God, help me to see the first fight. The one right before the wrong fight and staying focused on the right fight.
Amen
Good word , good reminder that as men we called to fight for the faith and to fight for the souls of those we love. pray and fight with me as I pray for the salvation of my children.
Sheldon
Zachery
Zenia
Amen to that! I want to pray and fight for my children as well! Zoe, Cate and my stepsons Caleb and Levi! Lord, lead and guide us as we fight the good fight. In your holy and mighty name. Amen!
Love the idea of fighting the fight that occurs before the fight.
Thank you Vince for this devotional-a message I need to hear over and over again. My battle with addictive idols-most recently games, has beaten me up, but praise be to God that by His strength I have been free of their influence since October 24th. Everyday is the battle to withdraw and engage in my selfish desires. No more!
Praying for you and with you brother as you fight those addictive idols! You’re never alone, God will see you through!
Thanks Pastor Vince! Using the word FIGHT so many times is, and will always be appropriate because men are called to FIGHT! With passion and conviction, please keep reminding us of this!
When I was a child, I thought like a child, I spoke like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways! (1 Cor. 13:11)
If Godly men will not be men and fight, then who will?
Today and everyday I fight to keep my emotions in check. To live by faith, reason, and purpose rather than anger, sadness, and fear. Alot of days, or at least portions throughout the day….I lose. I give in. Sometimes before I can think and sometimes even inspite of knowing what I am doing. I may regret it even in the moment. But I lose. All too often. But I am determined to do better and one day to hear “Well done.” It is my last real goal in life.
I’ve shared before my battle with addiction – food, sex and porn. I know this fight, and for a long time I tried to enter that fight on my own, without God, without a brother to hold me accountable and pray with me and for me. It’s going on two years of recovery and there are days when temptation is strong, selfish desire is strong and on those days I cannot be a wuss – I own it, pray through it, and call my brother in Christ and talk through it. God is good – the battle is real – and so is the victory! Thanks Vince for always calling us to be better men, to fight those internal fights so that those around us see God’s work in our lives.
Last week you said we’re going to do “Nehemiah”
He corrected himself the next day.