Thursday, May 22, 2008

What is a Good Fight?

I love watching war movies with my husband. Partly because I was in the Army for three years and partly because I know we are engaged in a battle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

I don't like the horror of war, of course. I like how the deepest parts of a person's character are revealed. You see unlikely leaders develop into heroes. And people who would normally be admired, turn into villains. Watching them makes me want to go fight for God's Kingdom, to have an adventure, to make my life count for more than taking up a tiny bit of space on this earth. I love verses like this:

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1Tim 6:12

What do you think it means to "fight the good fight"?

8 comments:

Darla DH said...

I don't know! Does it mean what we are fighting for is good....which it is if its God's kingdom? Or fighting good as in opposite of fighting dirty? (with an impure motive or selfish motive) I had never thought of watching war movies like you mentioned; watching for the heros to emerge and being surprised at who turns traitor etc. I wonder if God watching us in our "fight" against the world, the flesh, and the devil watches somewhat the same way. To see who will emerge as what and how. (I know He already knows but I like to think of Him enjoying the play by play too and not just fast forwarding to the ending!) But I'm not really answering your question about what is the good fight. We definitely have something worth fighting for, and it is good and noble.

Tawny said...

I always think of it as fighting for God's kingdom, but that is a good question. Here are two more verses with that phrase in them:

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

I would think it is fighting for God's kingdom. But if we don't do it in a good way, it can't be called a good fight.

I loved your comment, thank you.

Anonymous said...

hmmm, good question, muffin...
the good fight for me is the fight that doesn't end with people rolling down mountains like Jack and Jill...it was over a stinkin pail of water, people! Otherwise, I also think it uses the tried and true "mountain or mole hill" analogy. Rock on to the antiquity of such statements that cross cultures and time!

Jesus is my superhero!

Tawny said...

Ok Cathi, I need lay people talk here on my blog. I am not as smart as Mandy! Are you saying fighting is good as long as it is for something real and noble and true? Not stupid stuff that we decided is important and has NO ETERNAL VALUE WHATSOEVER???? :)

Jesus is THE superhero.
(I understood that part!)

Anonymous said...

can I be emergent and answer "yes"?

Tawny said...

I love emergent. It sounds so "uprisingish" :) So, yes!

I find you fascinating and amusing, but can't understand half of what you are saying. Is that ok with you? :)

Anonymous said...

yeah, neither can I. So we're good!

Anonymous said...

This is why we fight:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1290842731133226060&hl=en

Matthew 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

If we don't stand up and fight it will only get worse.
We are to fight not only to hold our ground but to take back what has been taken from us!
Sherri