How to Fight a Good Fight

February 12, 2016

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. 2 Timothy 4:7-8a

1. BE FAITHFUL. Don’t underestimate the value of a life of faithfulness by only waiting around for an eventful day. King David as a young man was trustworthy with his daily responsibilities when his dad sent him to take food to his brothers and check up on how they were doing (1 Samuel 17:17-18, 20a). Delivering cheese, bread, and grain doesn’t seem like the beginning of a big destiny. But in the context of obedience, God used David to take down a giant and defeat an army.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

2. CHOOSE GOD’S WEAPONS. When it comes to the fight of faith, human methods don’t quite fit. When King Saul offered his armor to David before his battle with Goliath, David refused and instead chose five smooth stones to go with his slingshot (1 Samuel 17:38-40). As followers of Jesus, our greatest weapon is love and our five smooth stones come from the Word of God.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. . . Acts  1:8a

3. RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT. No matter what is looming before you, God is greater. The power of the Holy Spirit never changes, and He will help you overcome the battles that weigh you down. Don’t rely on your own power. Keep standing in faith and let God win the fight for you.

Press on,
Pastor Jeff

PRAY THIS PRAYER
I will fight the good fight, I will finish the course, I will keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8a). I refuse to quit. Thank You, God, for the tenacity to stand my ground and believe that all You have promised will come to pass in my life, in my church, in my city, in my world. I will fulfill everything You have purposed for me—not by might, not by power, but by Your Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). In Jesus’ Name, amen.

faith·ful, adj.
Strict or thorough in the performance of duty. True to one’s word, promises, vows, etc. Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant. Reliable, trusted, or believed. Full of faith; believing.

Copyright © 2016 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. “Faithful.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 09 Feb. 2016. Dictionary.com.