Imitating the popular spirit of the day, many brethren have raised the “white flag” and refused to engage in any type of spiritual aggression at all. But, while Christianity is indeed a religion of peace and love, it is also one that includes warfare and combat—spiritually speaking. Paul’s charge to Timothy was to “fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12), and “war a good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). The clarion call to join the battle rings clearly throughout the pages of the New Testament.
We fight against Satan and his ministers. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The master of deceit seeks to engage us in battle constantly. His work is clearly seen through his ministers who try to deceive us and lead us down the path of destruction (Matt. 7:15; 2 Cor. 11:13-15).. Satan and his minions are behind every threat to our soul and we must be willing to engage them in battle.
We fight against the lusts of the flesh. Peter urged that we “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). The things in life that can give us the most pleasure can also cause us the most pain. Satan knows this and he uses fleshly lusts to lure us away from the path of righteousness. We must be willing and able to recognize this wicked plot and fight against it.
We fight against the vain philosophies of this world. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8). There are hundreds of false doctrines and ideas that are promulgated throughout the world. These doctrines are dangerous because they have deadly effects. They can destroy individuals and entire congregations at the very foundation. The empty philosophies of man must be defeated and it is the children of God who have the responsibility to do it.
The battle that we fight is the most important battle in the world. With the word of God as our weapon (Eph. 6:17) we will be victorious. Not a single false idea can withstand defeat by the power of God (Rom. 1:16). The only question is our own willingness. Are we ready and willing to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 1:12)?