FIGHT MY BATTLES

When our youngest daughter was in her elementary years she was infamous for backing our cat into every corner of our house on a regular basis. For those of you "non-cat" people, that's a BIG "no, no." Immediately, our ninja-like calico with enormous "wolverine claws" would morph into "beast mode." Her whole demeanor would change in a "New York minute." Her pupils would become dilated, her ears would go straight back, and that compact little body would tense up. Then, she would challenge our daughter to a game called "scratchy-bleedy." Long story short, my daughter would end up with a new wound (or five) to go along with her already impressive collection. She was not equipped for battle against such a terrifying, furry, four legged foe!

When the enemy backs Christ-followers into a corner, we often choose to fight by "putting up our dukes." However, this is not how we are called to battle. Please understand me. In NO way are believers called to be doormats. That idea, held by multitudes, is simply unbiblical (see the life of Christ, particularly pertaining to the Pharisees!). Nevertheless, I find myself trying to fight how the enemy fights instead of how the Holy Spirit says to do battle. Can you relate?

In 1 Samuel chapter 17 we see the familiar David versus Goliath account. However, there's a portion commonly missed by believers that is critically important . . . it's the part that describes how we are to fight our battles. This takes place before David actually goes into combat with Goliath. Check it out: "Saul said to David, "Go and the LORD will be with you." Then, Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. "I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine" (verses 37-40).

Did you catch it? Saul gave David his own tunic and covered him with armor. This seems about right for battle, doesn't it? Who wouldn't go into a physical battle clothed in armor?! However, this wasn't just any ole' battle. It was a spiritual battle as well. Knowing this, David refused Saul's weapons and instead armed himself with his staff, five smooth stones, and his sling. Note that the "staff" is an illustration of "God's power," which is reinforced over and over throughout the Old Testament. David also took five smooth stones and his sling. Now, don't underestimate the incredible force and precision David must have used with the stones and sling to bring Goliath down. But, compared to the weapons the enemy had it was quite the disparity.

That being said, this is how believers typically choose to approach battle: We try to fight the enemy using foreign weapons and end up neglecting the power of God. God is not a "wimp" who ill-equips His children for battle. In fact, He's given every believer His very Spirit to live inside them! There's no one stronger than the Person of the Holy Spirit. Think about it. Thanks to Jesus, the very Spirit of the Living God lives inside of you, believer! So, why would we choose to use otherwise?

Please note that this battle plan must reside within the context of our personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. If we as believers don't abide with Him intimately (John 15) we'll be caught in a mess when battles arise. As a result, we will lose in our own strength. However, when we stand armed hand in hand with the Holy Spirit He'll give us everything we need to go into battle and stand in victory. "David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled . . . all those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give all of you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:45-47).