Contending In The Spirit

For we WRESTLE not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot fight a spiritual battle using fleshly weapons. Ephesians 6:12 is one of the most powerful verses on offensive spiritual combat. Believers are often defeated or overcome because they have not learned to fight in the spirit.

God's choice of the word "wrestle" is significant. Wrestling is a natural parallel of a great spiritual truth. Wrestling in the natural world is a sport of mastery in strength following a prescribed set of rules. To wrestle means "to contend in struggle for power over an opponent."

We are admonished by Jude to 'earnestly contend':

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  Jude 3

Consider these facts about wrestling in the natural world as applied to your spiritual warfare:

®        Preparation and training:

A wrestler in the natural world must train to be successful at his sport. He must practice wrestling. He must have a proper diet. He must learn the rules of wrestling and they must be carefully followed to win the match.

       v       A believer must learn the rules of spiritual warfare in order to be victorious.  A proper "diet" of God's Word and prayer is necessary for successful spiritual wrestling. As in wrestling in the natural world, skill is gained through practice.

The primary purpose of training in the natural world is to prepare the wrestler to perform at peak efficiency while experiencing the least amount of fatigue. This is true also in the spirit world. Some people are easily fatigued and defeated spiritually because they are not properly trained for spiritual warfare.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Romans 8:26

®        The nature of the struggle:

Individual championship wrestling is not a team sport. When a wrestler tires there is no substitute team member to send in. Wrestling involves intimate, face to face, personal contact with the opponent.

       v       The same is true in the spirit world. Believers are involved in intimate, face to face combat with the enemy. No other believer can take your place in this spiritual combat. There are no "time outs" in wrestling as in other sports. There are no "time outs" in the spiritual world either. Satan never rests from this war. The believer must never be off guard.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  Luke 22:31

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  1 Peter 5:8

®        The strategies:

There are both offensive and defensive strategies in natural wrestling which are applicable in the spiritual world. Stalling is one technique used in wrestling. Stalling, avoiding confrontation with an opponent is not acceptable in the natural world. Points are lost in the judging system for stalling.

       v       You also "lose points" when you "stall" spiritually and do not aggressively wrestle your enemy. Some believers spend their entire lives stalled in confrontation with the enemy. They never aggressively wrestle and gain the victory.

Apostle Paul, in his encouragement to Timothy, let's him know that there is a battle:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  1 Timothy 6:12

®        Upset balance:

Another important strategy in natural wrestling is to upset the balance of the opponent. Once an opponent's balance has been destroyed, he is kept struggling to regain it.

The Bible speaks much of the importance of balance or "temperance." One of the strategies of Satan in the spiritual realm is to try to upset balance. Many believers have gone astray because of improper balance on doctrinal issues. 

There are two types of balance involved in wrestling: Physical and mental balance. Before physical balance can be destroyed, mental balance must first be attacked. To accomplish this, a strategy of surprise is used. A move is initiated that is distracting and surprising. While the wrestler focuses on this, the intended technique is applied. By leading an opponent to believe some move is about to be attempted, he will try to avoid the imagined danger and leave himself open to the actual attack.

      v       How true this is in the spiritual world! Satan upsets balance through the strategy of surprise or blindsiding. He upsets your mental balance by distracting attacks and while you are fearfully focused on these, he launches his intended assault in another area of your life.

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  Galations 3:1

®        Anticipation:

Anticipation is important in natural wrestling. A wrestler who can discern when a particular move is going to be made is usually able to block or counter attack. When the intended move is made it is not as likely to be successful since it is anticipated and the wrestler is prepared.

       v       The same is true in the spirit world. If you are not ignorant of Satan's devices and anticipate his strategies then you are prepared. You are not thrown off balance when attacks occur.

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.  2 Corinthians 2:11

®        Baiting:

There are moves in wrestling which are made to "bait" an opponent, to tempt and entice him into making a move which will weaken his position. In the spirit world Satan is constantly tempting you to moves which will weaken your spiritual position.

In natural wrestling, moves are planned to place an opponent in a position that leaves him open or vulnerable to attack. Situations are purposely created to do this and advantage is taken of an opponent's weakened position at the instant it occurs.

         v       Spiritually, Satan creates situations which leave us open to attack Then he immediately takes advantage of our weakened position. But you must remember as you wrestle that it is Satan who holds the weakened position. The power within us is greater than his power. He has already been dealt the final weakening blow by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

But we must exercise the advantage given us by the Lord in order to win the match.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4

Don't be deceived by the enemy.  He is already defeated but uses deceptive tactics to get us to the same defeated state as him. 

So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.   Isaiah 59:19

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