Defining 'The Fight'

Tuesday July 22, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-the knowledge of Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Fill my consciousness constantly and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse:Jeremiah 15:19 ESV

Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.” 

Verse of the day: Matthew 16:15-16

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Readings: Psalm 31-32 Acts 23:16-35

What ‘The Fight’ Really Is

“Strive to enter through the narrow door” (Luke 13:24),

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.” (John 18:36)

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)

The same root, Greek word-‘agōnizesthe’ is seen all three places. You can see the root of our word agony here.

It is the same now as it was then. We are to fight to take hold and hold on to the kingdom of Christ. We need to see that the apostles-all the followers of Christ were as human as we are and wanted to physically fight for the Lord they loved and the reason they did not was because of Jesus-He was there to stop it.(Peter cut off an ear…)

The alternative to entering the narrow gate, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction” (Matt. 7:13) is destruction.

Our fight is with our flesh. We are not fighting against anyone. We are told to love our neighbors and our enemies-not to do harm. Our fight is against our own sin.

Jesus demands from His followers serious personal discipline. He tells us to fight-Paul tells us to fight. Jesus says for us to watch-“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38)

The danger in our lives is that we have become as comfortable as the well-to-do Jews of that time. The numbers tell us that we are in the top 5% of the wealth in the world when we live with the comforts we enjoy.

Jesus tells us to be vigilant and fight.

Now, in every war there are lulls in battle. But we are always on the front lines because the battle is in our hearts and minds. There is no time to let our guards down-but-the scripture is full of promises to us who are serious about the fight.

Our growing faith is a key-we must be seeking growth-

5 ”Let your gentleness be evident to all, the Lord is near.

6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.…” Philippians 4.

Tell the Lord that you want to rest in His gentle power; and you want to free yourself from worry and thank Him for His provision knowing that He is guarding your heart and mind.

The battle is His. (1 Samuel 17:47)

...because He loves us...He will do it…

Father In Heaven,

May I lift Your name high and may I learn from You how to fight for entry through the narrow gate. Give me stronger faith for today. Forgive me for putting down my weapons. Lead me away from lethargy.

Great and mighty warrior God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen