Fight The Good Fight Of Faith

1 Timothy 6:12

The Nature Of This FightNotice 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We are in the flesh (sarx), but the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (sarkikos or that which pertains to the flesh)•The weapons are suited for the combat•If not carnal, then they are spiritual•Then the arena is spiritual also•Paul describes this in 2 Corinthians 10:5

as “…every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God…”

(Eph. 6:12) “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

(Eph. 6:12) “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness,

(Eph. 6:12) “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”

The Battlefield Is The Mind

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7a, NKJV).

One chooses in the mind whom he will serve (Rom. 6:16)

To capture the mind is to capture the soul (2 Cor. 10:5)

We must keep the goal firmly fixed in our mind (Col. 3:1-2)

Fight The Good Fight Of Faith

Some have lost sight of being in a fight (1 Tim. 6:12)

Christians are soldiersNot called to be generals, but as foot soldiers (2 Tim. 2:3-4)

While there are many soldiers, there is but one leader (Heb. 2:10)

Soldiers are equipped & ready at all times Every necessary piece of battle wear is

provided (Eph. 6:10-17)•This armor is to be “put on” (Eph. 6:11).

Nowhere is there an order to take it off!A prepared soldier will be able to “…stand

against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11) 1 Peter 5:8 identifies the devil as our

adversary •“Adversary” means “an opponent” [like in a

lawsuit] (Vine, p. 36)•“Devil” is “an accuser, slanderer {from a

word meaning} to accuse, to malign” (Vine, p. 308)

What are the schemes of the devil? Sin presented as a virtue, or even as a religious

act The vileness of sin is disguised with excuses The hypocrisy of church members is used to

dismiss sin Love and mercy stressed while obedience

ignored Never be strong enough to stand against sin Christ saves us from sin’s consequences rather

than from sin itself Saints are few in number and misfits in society We are lulled by the idea that we shall be

accepted because of good deeds and offerings, and not because of our relationship to Christ