We’ve all probably been there where we’ve wondered what life would be like on a distant island… You dream, even if just for a moment, about how long you could make your savings stretch if you just went full out Tom Hanks Cast Away style. Maybe you take your family along with you instead of a beach ball, and maybe your island isn’t fully secluded, but to just escape from the hustle and bustle of life can sometimes seem like a great alternative. While we all probably have a bit of a flight instinct in us, I believe we are actually equipped with a fight instinct; however, this fight instinct typically goes discovered or unleashed.
This past Sunday, we discussed how we have an enemy who schemes against us. He is real… his name is Satan… and Jesus says this enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). I’m not going to recap my sermon here other than drawing attention to the opposition that exists. Where I want to focus in this post is on our response to this opposition.
Yes, you will have days where flight is your first response. We can convince ourselves that avoiding the situation or checking out of our current circumstances is our only option, but I want you to know that you are equipped to FIGHT! Here’s the good news though…
You don’t actually have to fight because Jesus will fight for you! You only have to draw close to Him. Your offensive weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), but the Word made flesh is actually Jesus (John 1:14), so this means Jesus will fight for you. Still the news gets better…
With His resurrection, He’s already WON! The battle is over. We just draw close to Him, seek Him, embrace His ways and truths, and trust in who He says we are. As we do this, we are then empowered through Him to stand up instead of backing down. This world may not fight for you, and it will often fight against you. Thankfully, Jesus has overcome all things, and if you follow Him, His victory becomes your victory!
Now, with all of this being said, two things are true…
1- You can still choose flight… You can run away, do things your way, or simply avoid your difficult circumstances. Emotionally, you will wear down and fleeing your adversity will eventually run you down to the point of exhaustion and total frustration. (Let’s just not do this)
2- If you choose to fight (let Jesus fight)… You still may not get what you want. Just because Jesus fights for you doesn’t mean He fights for your desires. If we let Him fight for us, then we have to trust that the victory He claims is what’s best for both us and His glory. We must believe that Jesus is simply better… Better than getting our way, better than being right, better than everything.
Give God a chance to fight for you. He will show you what He’s capable of and increase your faith unlike ever before. If I can help you stand up against whatever you’re facing, then please don’t hesitate to reach out (josh@thegroveknox.org).
