This “Application“ column goes with the Bible Lesson for Sept. 13, 2020: “Fight” (1 Timothy 1:12-19; 6:11-16)
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By David Faust
Ironically, it was a fighter who informed us that peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Paul compared himself to a boxer throwing punches (1 Corinthians 9:26). He saw the Christian life as a battle against dark spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12). As death approached, he said, “I have fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Not all fights are good. Some are petty or even humorous. The author Kevin Leman quips, “My wife and I live in a two-story house. On most any issue, she has her story and I have mine.” Followers of the Prince of Peace, even whole denominations, spend too much time bickering among themselves. Mark Twain is said to have joked that he put a dog and a cat together in a cage as an experiment to see if they could get along. They did, so he put in a bird, a pig, and a goat. After a few adjustments, they got along too. Then he put in a Baptist, a Presbyterian, and a Catholic, and soon there was not a living thing left!
What makes a fight good?
Right Cause
We don’t have to debate every subject and offer opinions on every issue that comes along. “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23). Marvin Phillips said, “Satan’s greatest weapon has been to keep the people of God arguing about lesser things.”
But some causes are worth fighting for. Nehemiah urged, “Fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes” (Nehemiah 4:14). Paul flexibly adapted his methods of presenting the gospel to different audiences, but he remained firm and unbending about the gospel message itself (1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 15:1-3). Jude said to show mercy toward doubters, but “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3, 22). Let’s choose our battles wisely.
Right Motivation
Political candidates promise, “I will fight for you,” but are they in the race mainly to satisfy their own egos and push their own agendas? The “good fight” is motivated by love for God and neighbors, not by selfish ambition.
Right Methods
Christians shouldn’t fight dirty. It dishonors God if we try to win battles by compromising our ethical principles or relying on our own cleverness. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).
When Paul told Timothy to “fight the battle well” (1 Timothy 1:18), he used the word strateuomai (from which we derive strategy) to describe the fight. Later he instructed Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12), and here he used agonizomai (the source of our word agony). Even in agonizing situations, our strategies must align with God’s will. “We do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
Right Outcome
Though he endured many struggles, Paul looked forward to “the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:8). Life is filled with battles, but the Lord has won the war. When the good fight is finally over, we will have forever to celebrate God’s victory.
Personal Challenge: What is one battle you need to fight right now? What is one current battle you would be wise to avoid?
I like how you included part or even all of the Bible verse you were referring to in your lesson. That way I didn’t have to stop and look it up if it didn’t come to my mind.