“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

“Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

The 1st “fight” of this scripture means: to struggle, to compete for a prize, to contend with an adversary, to endeavor to accomplish something, labor fervently, strive.

The 2nd “fight” means: a place of assembly, a contest, an effort or anxiety, conflict, contention, race.

“Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able.” Luke 13:24

Once through the narrow gate, there will be enemies. The conflict will be continuous. He is not allowed to let anything hold him back.

Entering through narrow door is the first conflict which is followed by the second conflict which endures for life. “I have kept the faith.”

1. The principle element in the battle is to believe.

“Above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5

We must remain in a stronghold or fortress which cannot be taken. The fortress is Christ himself. By faith, we are in Him. Satan tries to entice us out of our fortress to engage us in battle out in the open on his turf. If we abide in Christ, we overcome.

Our greatest work is to believe.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.” Ephesians 6:10

It is Jesus alone who gives power over the enemy.

“And he said, Listen you, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat: Thus says God to you, Don’t be afraid you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

When God undertakes to fight for His people, however numerous or powerful their foes, He will give His people the victory, and in such a manner as to manifest His own glory.

By ourselves we can achieve nothing, but in Christ we are more than conquerors.

“No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

Spurgeon said, “No earthly trial can make Jesus forget the souls for whom He died; He changes not in the purpose of His mind or the affection of His heart.”

By faith we stand in Him, righteous before God, and likewise so in Him we are strong against our enemies.

“Only in God, it is said of me, is righteousness and strength; even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed.” Isaiah 45:24

2. Our biggest battles are inner ones.

No sooner are we willing that the Lord should have His way in our lives, then we are found striving against God. This is conflict but not the good fight of faith.

In Galatians 5 reference is made to inner conflict.

Andrew Murray said, “The believer must not strive against the flesh to overcome it. This he cannot do. What he is to do is choose to whom he will subject himself.”

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one other, that you may not do the things that you desire.” Galatians 5:16-17

“For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13

Through the Spirit. By the aid of the Spirit; by cherishing and cultivating His influences. What is here required can be accomplished only by the aid of the Holy Ghost.

What has been the test you are facing and what does God want you to do in this difficult situation?

He wants you to believe fully relying on Him in your struggle.

No matter what attack from Hell is being manifested against you, His presence will not be taken from you.

God is waiting for you to simply trust in Him, knowing that he will never leave you nor forsake you.

“No temptation has taken you but such as man can bear. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Spurgeon said, “If our temptations were such as none else had ever endured, and there were no way out of them, we might give up in despair; but it is not so. The Lord will not try us too much, too long, or too often. Grace will bear us through.”

God is saying that you will not go under. He will enable you to stand as you seek His face and trust in Him.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says God, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.” Jeremiah 29:11

“For the scepter of wickedness won’t remain over the allotment of the righteous; So that the righteous won’t use their hands to do evil.” Psalm 125:3

The people of God are not to expect immunity from trial because the Lord surrounds them, for they may feel the power and persecution of the ungodly. Egypt’s rod was exceeding heavy upon Israel, but the time came for it to be broken. God has set a limit to the woes of His chosen: the rod may light on their portion, but it shall not rest upon it. Though God permits His to be under the Cross lest they embrace wickedness, yet this Cross will not so rest on them.

This was taken from William Gurnall’s The Christian in Complete Armour