23 Apr Fight the Good Fight of Faith by Sandra Chambers
1 Timothy 6:12 says we are to “fight the good fight of faith,” but what does that look like practically in our everyday lives? I was recently reading a devotional by Joyce Meyer who said we are to: “Think aggressively; plan and calculate, like a general preparing for battle.” As I read this I thought—YES—but how do we do it in our everyday lives?
First, we must know our weaknesses—where has the enemy attacked us in the past with doubt, fear, temptation, unforgiveness? His attacks start either in our minds or emotions. We begin thinking thoughts that are not in line with God’s Word, or our emotions are on edge with fear, disappointment or temptation.
Plan of attack: Make a list of the areas where Satan has attacked you in the past. Then be alert when you start thinking some of the same thoughts or begin to experience some of the same negative feelings. Write out scriptures that deal specifically with the attack you are facing. Read them aloud; better yet, memorize them!
Second, Satan will make us think we are all alone in our doubts, fearsand temptations. He always tries to isolate us from God and from others.
Plan of Attack: We all need one or two close friends with whom we can be totally honest and real and who will encourage us with God’s truth. Sometimes we just want someone who will agree with us and have a pity party with us, but what we really need is a sister and friend who will speak the truth in love to us, even if it hurts.1 Thess. 5:11 says we are to encourage one another and build each other up. Make a coffee or lunch date to share and pray together.
Third, pray! Don’t believe Satan’s lies that you are not good enough; that you’ve sinned one too many times; that you’ll never win the battle.
Plan of Attack: Pray honest prayers. Be real with God. Read the Psalms. David, who is called “a man after God’s own heart” bared his soul before God, telling him just how he felt—the good, the bad, the ugly! And God accepted him and heard his prayers. How much more will He hear our prayers because we are in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and help you pray. Romans 8:26 tells us that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness for we don’t know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us. And remember, God has given us all the spiritual armor we need to defeat the enemy (Eph. 6:10-18).
Sandra has a passionate desire to help Christians develop a purposeful, powerful and passionate prayer life. Her book, LORD, IT’S BORING IN MY PRAYER CLOSET (How To Revitalize Your Prayer Life) is available at Amazon and on Kindle. It’s a great personal read or can be used for a small group study on prayer. Check out Sandra’s blog at PrayerWaves.com.
She also teaches an online class on prayer at Beadisciple.com.
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