The Fight: Claiming God’s Victory in LifeSample

Your Fight is Spiritual

For the last few days, we’ve been using fighting analogies to introduce spiritual truths because life is like a fight – if you’ve lived at all you know that’s true. But unlike the fights in WWE competitions, the fight we experience every day is very real – so different than the rehearsed choreography and staging of the WWE.

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul says the spiritual battle we face is not just spiritual, it’s evidenced practically – it is a spiritual battle, but we fight it practically. And every aspect of our life is part of that battle, everything is connected – work, home, leisure, family, friends. So how, practically, can we live a victorious life? Paul gives four tips in this scripture for doing that.

First, he says, fight like a slave. He’s talking about how we approach work here. Did you know that the average adult will spend 54% of their awake time at work? Some people are just trying to get through their jobs, counting the days until retirement. But God wants us to enjoy work, to give it our all, and to work as though we are working for him and not man – that motivational change will change your life.

Second, fight like a boss. Whether you own the company or are simply in management, you have an opportunity to honor God by the way you conduct your business – be kind, honest, fair, generous; lead the employees underneath you, and honor the owner/boss. And, always point people to the one who’s leading you – Jesus.

Third, fight like a child. That means when you live under your parent's roof, you obey them and when you’ve reached adulthood and move out, you honor them. Involve your parents in your life and be involved in their lives, take care of them when needed. Always remember that family is a gift from God and should be appreciated always.

Finally, fourth, fight like a Dad (or parent). Don’t frustrate your kids and intentionally make life difficult for them. Overdoing leadership or discipline can crush their spirits. You need to be engaged in their lives, but don’t overdo it. Always remember they need a parent more than they need a friend – sometimes kids need to be told No. Tell them about God, share what you’re learning, and ask what they’re learning. And always be honest with them. Be real when you miss the mark – you’re going to fail your kids, be honest when you do – fess up to your mistakes, and ask your kids’ forgiveness. This will help develop your kids into people who are real with God, not hypocrites, and they’ll be real with people as well.

Let’s go on this journey of life together and fight like God wants us to fight, always remembering that the victory has already been won!

Pray: Father God, thank you for your clear instructions about how to live the victorious life you’ve already planned for us. Thank you for my family and my job, help me to never take them for granted but to enjoy them as the gifts they are. Help me to always fight from a position of victory, understanding that the battle is a spiritual one that calls for spiritual tactics to fight. Thank you for the victory I already have in you. In Jesus’ name, I pray.