Another qualifying statement about the fight required of us has to do with its goodness of character. The injunction to engage in the fight of faith is inherently tied to goodness. Why? The fight is first good by design because God authorized it as noted earlier. Being good can only come from following the good doctrine of Christ (1 Tim. 4:6). Our fight is also good in that its focus is on the cause of good and right, not upon self or selfish desires. When one denies self in the battle between flesh and Spirit, part of the consequent fruit of the Spirit is goodness (Gal. 5:16-24; Eph. 5:7-10).
One who fights the good fight of faith will not use the carnal tactics of the devil because he has been filled with the goodness found in the truth and shows that goodness forth in his character. Though the forces of Satan will falsely accuse him of evil, objective evaluation will show the soldier of Christ has engaged in "good works" (1 Pet. 2:11-12).
We live in an age where some in halls of academia and even in halls of Congress blur the distinction between terrorists and honorable soldiers who uphold the law and principles of right. They see the use of force on the part of both soldier and terrorist as analogous. They fail to see the honorable soldier fighting to maintain justice as different from the terrorist murdering in disregard for justice. They fail to distinguish between the honorable soldier who fights to restore lawful order and the terrorist who fights to overthrow that lawful order and impose one of his own liking. In short, their failure to distinguish between the two is a failure to distinguish between the nature of goodness and evil. Those who cannot understand the differences between honorable soldiers and terrorists say more to discredit their own lack of discernment than to discredit lawful use of force.
Sadly, we have a growing number in churches across the land who cannot see the difference between fighting the good fight of faith and "spiritual terrorism." Their attempts to label honorable debate and controversy as "spiritual terrorism" do not change the charge of God to engage in such, but such charges do manifest their utter lack of biblical understanding. When one looks at all fighting for truth as "bad," "evil" or "terrorism," his evaluation clearly differs from God's.
As we prepare for the warfare commanded, let us always remember that we have been given all of the equipment necessary for battle. Let us remember these inspired words of admonition and assurance:
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:10-17).
Soldiers in battle array are not stationed far from the fray. They are on the front-lines of the war. So it is in the army of God. Our equipment is given for us to use in the spiritual battles surrounding us daily. Our battle armor is strong enough to meet the task and bring us to the victory promised by Christ, even as the apostle said,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full (2 Cor. 10:3-6).
The fight against this mighty foe is not a fight of containment, but until every evil way and every evil thought is vanquished and obedience to Christ reigns triumphant. There is no armistice to be offered to sin and error. Only the unconditional surrender of the soul stained by sin and error is sufficient to cause the change of heart and action necessary for salvation. Yes, it takes courage to undertake such a fight. To that end, the apostle urged,
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God; because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf: having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me (Phil. 1:27-30).
Throughout his life in defense of the gospel, we never found Paul cowering in the corner for fear of the adversaries of truth. His boldness was evident. His determination was resolute. His charge was ever forward -- never retreat. The confidence did not come from an innate bravado, but from an absolute confidence in the Lord who gave him the charge to fight and the certainty of the cause. Those at Philippi were exhorted to form a united front and follow his example in "striving for the faith of the gospel." Only in that way were they using the life God had given them in a way "worthy of the gospel of Christ." There has always been a priority and urgency to the battle against error and evil. Making it clear that he diverted his original intent in writing to meet the pressing demand to "contend earnestly for the faith," Jude said,
Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints (Jude 3).
The word translated "contend" is epagonidzomia, a compound of two Greek words. The prefix of the word (epi) serves to strengthen or intensify the root verb (agonidzomai). From the latter word, we get our word agony. What is the point? We must put agonizing effort and sacrifice into the fight against the adversaries of truth. It requires, not just contending for the faith, but earnestly or strenuously contending for the truth revealed by God. The good fight of faith...
| Is not evil | Is righteous |
| Is not enjoyable | Is tiring |
| Is not easy | Is difficult |
| Is not self-serving | Is self-sacrificing |
| Is not popular | Is hated |
| Is not optional | Is mandatory |
Let us not plant the sword of the Spirit in the dust and replace it with a bouquet of daisies for the enemies of the truth. Let us never be ashamed of the crimson banner of the cross or the truth ratified by the blood of our Savior. Let it never be lowered to raise in its place a white flag of surrender in compromise with carnality.
Let us remember who it is that opposes the truth -- they are enemies of the cross of Christ. When we begin to look with greater favor on those who teach error than on brethren teaching truth, albeit with a different approach, we have our priorities badly out of order. Already we are seeing brethren who join together in associations and "ministry" efforts with those in denominationalism. Hill Roberts and his affiliation with Hugh Ross and other evangelicals is a case in point. How can we fight the fight of faith while making a pact of cooperation with the enemies of the cross? Let us again set our goal upon "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
"By the grace of Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil -- soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. We have come, dedicated and committed, to the task of destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring, upon a foundation of indestructible, strength, the liberties of your people.... The hour of your redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom.... Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on. As the lines of battle roll forward to bring you within the zone of operations, rise and strike. Strike at every favorable opportunity. For your homes and hearths, strike! For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike! In the name of your sacred dead, strike! Let no heart be faint. Let every arm be steeled. The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory!"
Brother Halbrook and I discussed the striking similarities that exist between that struggle in the physical realm and the struggle enjoined upon us in the spiritual realm. The Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands brought tyranny, slavery, misery and death to untold multitudes. With every liberty denied and every atrocity committed, the Filipino people were further humiliated and degraded to an unspeakable horror. MacArthur's stirring words called upon Filipinos to contrast their present circumstances with the bright promise of a freedom within their grasp if only they would rise with courage and meet their responsibility to fight. The Filipino people met the challenge with a dogged determination that still ranks among the most courageous exhibitions in modern history of a people yearning for freedom. Should we not be stirred to greater fervency to the spiritual battle we are called?
Let us remember the slavery and tyranny of sin and error is the most sordid horror of all -- for it enforces its evil cruelty, not just upon this earth, but throughout eternity. Thus, our fight is not a war of containment, but a fight to slay evil and reach the glorious freedom and victory promised by our Lord. The examples of faithful saints of old, who suffered and died in terrible ways in service to the Lord, cry out for us to continue the fight and press on to the victory in Christ (Heb. 11:32 - 12:4). The sacred blood of our Savior calls for us to rise and strike!
Can we summon in our hearts no compassion for the souls of men that would compel us to needful conflict to bring freedom to spirits in jeopardy of eternal torment? Can we not be lifted in spirit and stirred in mind to a call for spiritual battle which aims to defeat the tyranny of sin? Have we grown so complacent in our ease that we can sit by in silence while the truth of God is pilloried by an ever-increasing number of errors from every quarter? Brethren, there is something worse than a growling and gruesome fight -- it is a dishonorable peace with unrighteousness and error.
May the attitude of true soldiers again animate the people of God to arise for a battle with sin and evil too long ignored and too dimly viewed. Let us be steeled with the heart of righteous warriors and strike!