Standing Firm in His Strength
Jesus and Jiu-Jitsu // Devotional #78
There’s something undeniably humbling about being a white belt, especially in your first few months of training. There are all the things you don’t know: What’s a “guard”? What does it mean to pass it? Why shouldn’t I extend past my center line? What’s a strong base? What’s posture? Why am I so gassed so quickly? And why is everyone choking me out so easily?
And then there’s one thing you do know: I have no clue what I’m doing. You keep rolling, but it’s like trying to speak a language you’ve never heard before. The only difference is that the person you’re trying to speak to is actively trying to choke you out (or immobilize your arm, knee, or ankle). You enter into each match mostly unaware of what your opponent is doing and largely unsure of what to do about it, and the consequences couldn’t be more apparent.
But like a white belt who keeps tapping because they have no idea what their opponent is doing, when we live unaware of the enemy’s schemes, we’re opening ourselves up to the same unknowing defeat.
Whether we know it or not, we live our days in an active combat zone. Despite all the ways our culture tries to obscure that reality, from the comfort we pursue to the distractions we’re inundated with, there’s no denying that the very air we breathe is tinted with the scent of war. Only it’s not the smell of blood, sweat, soil, and gunpowder we inhale; it’s the sin that sits in the heart of every man, leaching out in everyday rebellion in defiance of the God who made him.
We are at war yet live mostly blind to the battle unfolding all around us and to the ways our enemy seeks to take us out. Instead of living keyed into this reality, we spend most of our days on autopilot, following the course of our desires, never imagining that our innate desires could betray us in the end. By passively allowing our desires to take charge of our lives, we are choosing, by commission or omission, to live ignorant of the enemy’s schemes, lest our comfort be threatened. And yet we wonder why we so often lack the vitality or motivation to live any differently.
It’s living blind to the enemy just outside our door, who wants nothing more than for us to keep living as if they’re not there, so they can keep stealing from us the very blessing we were meant to live in: a life of empowerment in the Spirit, fully alive for the King and His kingdom.
Even though the war we’re in has already been decided and the victor crowned, the enemy still rages on, seeking those he can devour as he slinks away in defeat. But we don’t have to live unaware of the enemy’s designs, nor as targets ripe for the picking. If we woke up to the battle we’re in, we’d see we’ve already been equipped with everything we need to defend ourselves. All that’s left to do is put on the armor God has already given us.
Read how Paul describes the war we’re in and the armor we’ve been given in Ephesians 6:10-20:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (ESV)
Paul makes it clear: we live equipped to fight the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. We’ve been given the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. We have everything we need to fight.
But how do we fight in a battle that’s already been won? How do we wage war against an enemy who’s already been defeated? We stand firm to the end, persevering until God’s victory over sin and death is made manifest for all to see, for all eternity.
We know the days are not yet as they shall be. On this side of glory, though we are drawn to live a life oriented toward comfort, much of that stems from living in a world marred and broken by sin, where the pain and sting of death feel ever-present. And yet this is the fight we’re called to, to stand in the gap until we join those who’ve gone before us or until all is made new.
We stand firm even when the darkness feels like it’s closing in. We stand firm even when the enemy tries to convince us that our efforts are in vain. We stand firm because we don’t fight alone. We fight in the strength of His might, because He is the One with us, working in us and through us to accomplish the good works He’s prepared for us to do.
Although the outcome is already decided, Paul’s admonition to stand firm isn’t without merit. In fact, because victory is already achieved, danger is close at hand. A defeated enemy is the most dangerous enemy because they have nothing left to lose.
Yes, the enemy is defeated, but on his long way down, he will do everything in his power to take as many out of the fight as possible. He is a lion crouched in the darkness, and his desire is for you and all who belong to the Kingdom of God.
So stand firm in the strength of God’s might, knowing we don’t fight to decide the battle, but to fight knowing the victor has already been crowned. It’s to this King and for His kingdom that we live as ambassadors, like Paul, fighting the good fight and calling those caught in darkness to find life in the light of Christ. Fight not for victory, but from victory, clothed in the very armor of the risen and reigning King.
Take time to consider these questions:
What typically keeps you from clearly seeing the enemy’s designs and desires for you? Have you experienced seasons when you’ve lived blind to the war you’re in?
In Ephesians 6:12-13, who does Paul say we’re at war with, and what does he call us to do in response?
Why can we be confident that God is able and willing to keep us secure in Him for as long as we’re in the fight?
As you end your time, praise God that He has already secured the victory in Jesus, putting death in its grave. Ask Him to give you awareness of the battle around you and of the ways the enemy is actively trying to take you out of the fight. Pray for courage and a willingness to put on the armor He’s given you, fighting in the strength of His might, not yours, confident that He will see you through to the end.
