Raging Battles

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Genesis 4:2-8

I. Introduction: Why do we fight spiritual battles on a regular basis? We have an enemy, Satan, who wants to conquer us. Though we win some battles and lose others, some battles seem never ending. Why?

II. We may be fighting half-heartedly

A. We have not decided that we want victory over a particular struggle

B. Sexual immorality

C. Some recognize the sin of sexual immorality and do not want to sin but will not commit to avoiding dangerous situations and saying no. Genesis 39:4-15 – Unlike Joseph who could have rationalized sin but sought escape.

D. Deception – it seems to be working to well

E. Some Christians are quick to tell how important it is to be truthful; however, when a situation arises that they think lying will give them an escape, they choose deception. They think the truth is important but are not willing to fully commit to the truth despite the consequences.

F. There are other sins that a person may oppose in principle but only resist half-heartedly when confronting the sin.

G. One will fight half-heartedly when he has not fully committed himself to Christ despite the ferocity of the battle and the consequences. Like Hernado Cortez who, when invading Mexico to face Montezuma, burned his ships to make retreat impossible—fully committed to victory

H. We cannot think that we have an out or something to fall back on if being a Christian does not work out for us; we must commit to victory and zealously fight until we gain the victory.

I. Our short term pleasures will not provide long term—or eternal—satisfaction and so we must not hold onto them. Fighting without total commitment leads to an anemic spiritual life; we cannot be passionate for something that we may give up easily. To fight with less than total commitment leads to self-recrimination as we berate ourselves for failing though we set ourselves up to fail.

III. We may keep returning to old battlefields

A. Instead of moving on to other battles, some are constantly fighting old battles.

B. I am not talking about common temptations that come up throughout life.

C. This problem is overcoming a particular crisis only to revive it.

D. This often happens with addictions. For example, an alcoholic who stays sober then wanders into a bar when he feels vulnerable

E. He gained a victory over alcohol through dedication—not half-hearted effort but complete commitment. During a time of weakness, he stops at a bar or package store and has to again fight to overcome alcoholism. Some get out a destructive relationship to find they are in another one. Some leave jobs or work habits that inhibit their spiritual growth but find other jobs that recreate the obstacles.

F. We must not start a new fight on an old battlefield

G. Shore up the weakness that leads you back onto the battlefield

H. Do not reenter hostile (tempting) situations

I. James 4:1 – wars come from lusts within but our Spirit must overcome Cain – Genesis 4:3-8 Romans 7:12-15 – War within us that the Spirit must win1 Peter 2:11 – Abstain from fleshly lusts

IV. Some battles are drawn out and we must keep fighting

A. Sometimes we must keep fighting because we are involved in a drawn out battle—perhaps a defining battle whose outcome will determine the course of our life and our eternity.

B. Often we face a singular problem that must be conquered for us to grow Mark 10:17-22 – Rich young ruler had to overcome materialism Mark 8:34-37 – Ultimately we must overcome our selfish desire

C. Though the struggle is difficult, it can be a good sign

D. We still care about winning the battle and want to emerge victorious.

E. We are not ready to quit fighting and accept defeat. Job 2:7-10 – Though Job was fighting a fierce and bitter battle and did not know why, and though he anguished, he would not give up.

F. We still have a will to fight

G. During the Revolutionary War John Paul Jones, the father of the US Navy, was captain of the Bon Homme Richard. While searching for British ships, Jones encountered the larger Serapis and had to fight it alone when his other ship, the Alliance fled. In a fierce battle the Bon Homme Richard was damaged by the guns of the Serapis and his other ship, the Alliance, which came back and accidentally blasted the Richard. As the severely damaged Bon Homme Richard, lashed to the Serapis, began to burn and take on water, the captain of the Serapis yelled to John Paul Jones, “Are you ready to strike colors?” (Surrender) Jones replied with the immortal words, “I have not yet begun to fight.” Several minutes later a hand grenade fell into the gunpowder supply of the Serapis and the ship exploded, the mast shook then fell. The captain of the Serapis surrendered to Jones and, though the Bon Homme Richard sank, John Paul Jones won the battle. We must fight diligently for if we are fighting to overcome sin, God is fighting on our side—but we must not give up the fight.

H. The enemy has not won

I. If we are still fighting a long battle, it means that the enemy has not won. He may not be defeated, but he does not have the victory! We must not hand Satan a victory and must remember that he will not give up ground that he thinks he can win.

V. Conclusion: We must fight the good fight diligently so we can say (2 Timothy 4:7-8.)