Fight the Good Fight of Faith
By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:12
Understanding the Fight of Faith
Faith is the foundation of the Christian life. It is about believing in God and actively standing firm in His Word despite challenges. The Bible makes it clear that we are in a spiritual battle, not a physical one, against the deception and schemes of the enemy.
One of the biggest tricks of the devil is making believers doubt the truth of God’s Word. When people don’t understand Scripture or apply it correctly, they become easy targets for spiritual attacks. This is why studying the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit is crucial. Ignorance gives the enemy an advantage, but knowledge and faith in God’s Word equip us for victory.
Walking in the Authority of Christ
Jesus has already won the victory over Satan. Through His death and resurrection, He stripped the enemy of power and gave believers authority over every force of darkness (Luke 10:19). Unfortunately, many Christians only use this authority when they are afraid or desperate. But we are not meant to live in fear—we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, sharing in His power and victory (Ephesians 2:6). What we believe and focus on shapes our spiritual reality. If the enemy can control our thoughts and emotions, he can influence our decisions and weaken our faith. The way to overcome him is by standing on God’s Word and refusing to be moved by fear or doubt.
Putting on the Full Armor of God
The devil’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), but God has given us everything we need to resist him. The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of knowing and using the authority we have in Christ. Without understanding this authority, we cannot walk in the power God has given us. God knew from the beginning that we would choose to follow Christ, and He prepared blessings and spiritual privileges for us even before we accepted Him (Romans 4:17). When we receive salvation, these promises become ours. However, if we don’t claim them, we won’t experience their full benefits.
The enemy will always try to oppose God’s plans, but we are not powerless. God has already secured victory for His people. The question is: Are we using the authority we’ve been given?
Here’s how to actively fight the good fight of faith:
- Resist the devil’s lies with faith. He wants to plant doubt, fear, and confusion, but we must stand firm in what God has said.
- Speak God’s Word boldly. The truth of Scripture is a weapon against the enemy’s deception.
- Live out your faith. True faith is demonstrated through both words and actions.
- Use the name of Jesus with confidence. We have the authority to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out spiritual darkness.
- Declare victory in Christ. Just as David faced Goliath with confidence in God, we must confront challenges knowing that Jesus has already won.
The Church must rise up and embrace our God-given authority in Christ. The call to fight the good fight of faith requires an unwavering commitment to God’s Word, firm resistance against spiritual opposition, and confidence in the victory already secured through Christ. By embracing and exercising this authority, believers can live in the fullness of God’s power and purpose.
Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church in East Orange, New Jersey.