Are you a professional wrestler? Are you throwing your leg over the rope and climbing into the ring to wrestle your next masked foe? While you may not be featured on cable TV or Saturday afternoon WWF marathons my hunch is you're guilty of wrestling more than you should.
In the bible we read about wrestlers as well. Whaaat? You didn't know that? Look at Ephesians 6:10-18:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (NKJV)
Many times as a believer we eagerly jump in the ring to wrestle with flesh and blood when it comes to spiritual warfare. But look at the highlighted words I added above. Note the word "wrestle" appears only once (verse 12), while the word "stand" appears four times - "stand against the wiles of the devil", "withstand in the evil day", "having done all, to stand", "Stand therefore". (Verses 11, 13-14) Four times the Holy Spirit tells us to stand. Yet, many Christians are focusing on wrestling their way to victory when the victory has already been won.
The enemy wants to make you think you've got to wrestle. After all, who just stands there during a fight? The only time that makes sense is when the fight is over. Guess what? It IS.
I Corinthians 3:21-23 tells us we are already blessed:
21 Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;23 and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
Does this mean we shouldn't have any battles? Of course not. The battles will come. The enemy will present himself and try to make you think you've already lost. Because if he can bluff you into it, you'll stay out of the winner's circle.
So take heart today. Rest in the fact God has blessed you and even though circumstances may look otherwise, the battle is already won. That includes financial stress, relationship battles, legal wars and of course health battles too. How do I know? I've stared death in the face of every area I just listed. Guess what?
I'm still standing.
