JUST THINKING: The Believer's Wrestling Match

      I was just thinking about a good friend of mine with the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. He has promoted wrestling in high schools, colleges and universities across our state. It reminded me of when, in coaching classes at SAU, we had to learn to wrestle. Believe me, it’s not an easy sport. This caused me to think of what the apostle Paul was inspired to write about the subject — especially for all believers.

Wrestling in the Battle of Good and Evil

         We must remember that our battles, as followers of Christ, are spiritual and emotional, not physical. Paul came from a strict Jewish background in which he persecuted Christians. When he was saved on the road to Damascus, he found himself facing a different enemy with a huge army. Of course, I refer to Satan and his demons.

      If anyone tells you that you will have it easy because you are saved, do not believe them. They don’t know what they are talking about. Every believer who finds himself in the battle for truth will wrestle often.

         Paul wrote to the Roman believers, “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Rom. 7:21-24 NIV).

      Can you identify with Paul? Certainly! When you were lost in sin, Satan had it pretty easy. That is because of the sin nature every human possesses. Doing evil came naturally. We lied, hated, insulted, robbed, cursed and committed many more types of sin. Most of the time, we felt no remorse. But then came the Holy Spirit, who convicted us of our sins, convinced us we needed salvation, then comforted us when we trusted in Christ. Satan hated that!

      The Holy Spirit became our constant companion, inward spiritual Counselor and Referee in our daily and weekly wrestling matches. Again, those matches are spiritual, and our opponent is unseen. Sometimes our opponent is self. We know we should not curse, but we go ahead. We know we should avoid the hatred of both former friends and enemies, but we still do so. We know we should do good, but we end up doing evil. Such are the wrestling matches of believers.

Wrestling Evil Requires Taking a Stand for Good

         Paul wrote to the Ephesians about how this wrestling match we find ourselves in is not easy. He emphasized that believers must be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. One of the most important aspects of sports is preparation — practice. Every believer in Christ must not rely on his head knowledge of life but should be equipped by preparing through learning from God’s Word. In fact, without the Word of God, we will fail in our wrestling matches.

      Paul wrote, “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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Eph. 6:12-13 NIV).

Good Advice

         God has preserved His Word so we might know how to live. He inspired Paul, who experienced the pressures of life just like we do. He admitted that he wrestled with doing the right thing when tempted to do the wrong thing. He advised: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27).