Good morning people who only engage in the battles that God has assigned for you.
Not every battle needs to be fought. Sometimes maturity requires fleeing, not fighting.
Please look at these two essential scriptures:
Ephesians 6:12 NIV For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Timothy 2:22 NIV Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that our struggle is not against people, but against spiritual forces. Therefore, the battles we are to fight are spiritual battles. Yes, they can include against temptations, but they are spiritual battles which means we need spiritual discernment.
We must fight spiritual battles. Many Christians don’t like and don’t live this statement, but it is essential for every believer. Fighting means fighting. It doesn’t mean sitting, bemoaning or having a pity-party. Believers fight against spiritual opposition, and by doing so, we get stronger and the enemy is defeated!
In addition to fighting spiritual battles, Paul tells Timothy to flee youth lusts. Some things simply need to be run away from. Joseph didn’t try to fight the temptation that came through Potiphar’s wife – no, he fled the temptation that came to his natural senses.
For the record, I want to state clearly that it is strong people who run away from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. It is not weak people that run – it is wise people who run, and wise people will be strong people!
Fools say, “I’ve got this; I can beat this; I’m ok.” NO! Run! Flee! Get out of there!
And don’t just shut the door to temptation, complete the rest of the verse in 2 Timothy 2:22: ‘Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.’ In other words, turn on the light!
We must fight spiritual battles, we must flee lust and pride, and we must pursue all that is of God. This is how we are to live in this world.