Once baptized, the Christian faces a serious and continuous fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Each of these opponents poses a formidable obstacle to spiritual growth and overcoming. The flesh, representing human nature, remains a persistent hindrance even after baptism, acting as a major component of the cross that must be borne. The carnal mind is enmity against God, not subject to His law, and must be battled relentlessly to progress toward conformity with Jesus Christ. This fight requires a fierce attitude, akin to a soldier ordered to take no prisoners, crucifying, mortifying, and utterly slaying the flesh. The Christian's warfare is not against other people but primarily against one's own nature, which constantly persuades disobedience to God. This struggle demands patient endurance to serve God, as a soldier's duty is to please the one who enlisted him. Our Father in heaven has enlisted us into His cause, and like Christ, we are to follow through in obedience to Him. Christ, as the ultimate example in suffering, endured more than any of us ever will, showing that spiritual innocence can intensify the warfare. The better one becomes, the harder the tests, paralleling the increasing difficulty of challenges as one advances in any endeavor. God does not make growth and overcoming easy, even with the promise of salvation. Challenges are set before us to achieve His goals, requiring our cooperation in a reciprocal relationship. Obedience to God often provokes spiritual warfare, with impediments represented by human nature that must be confronted. As with Israel's examples, we must trust that God is with us, backing His promises, even when sacrifices and discomfort are required. Drawing back from this fight out of fear is akin to rebellion, a rejection of God's word and promise. Yet, God's assurance remains steadfast—He will never leave nor forsake us, always protecting and guiding through the battles, ensuring we are not tested beyond what we can bear, and granting patience and mercy to overcome.

True Christianity is not an easy way of life, as it involves a constant fight for those serious about glorifying God and achieving spiritual growth. A Christian must be discerning, taking great pains to maintain balance against three primary enemies: human nature, the world, and satan. Regardless of age, social status, education, or gender, these foes relentlessly pursue, making the Christian's journey a true battle to reflect God's character. Christian living parallels the Old Testament instruction of confronting enemies, as seen in Israel's responsibilities to drive out inhabitants of the Promised Land in cooperation with God. Similarly, Christians must confront and drive out old habits, attitudes, and loyalties from pre-conversion days. This warfare, though spiritual and not involving physical weapons, requires loyalty, courage, self-denial, vision, understanding, and sacrifice to become victorious overcomers. Resisting the world's pressures is a major area of this warfare, as its subtle influences can easily be overlooked unless one remains aware and takes protective steps. The world, established on selfish human nature, feeds self-absorbed inclinations, making it crucial to fight and resist its attraction, which influences the heart, because so much is at stake. Regarding satan, though a formidable enemy, his direct danger to individuals is less than that of human nature and the world. While he walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, his influence often comes through the systems and attitudes he and his demons have constructed in the world. God has placed a wall of protection around His people, limiting demonic attempts to corrupt and destroy loyalty to Him. The advice is to be sober, vigilant, and to resist satan, standing firm in faith, knowing that with God's protection and Jesus Christ's victory, satan can be beaten. Submitting to God ensures that satan will flee, and wearing the whole armor of God enables Christians to stand against his wiles, holding ground by moving forward offensively with unmovable conviction.

True Christianity is a fight, a warfare of far greater importance than any war among nations, with stakes that may be eternal in their consequence. This spiritual battle involves every person who has ever been born, some for long periods like Abraham and Moses, and others for shorter times, with varying intensities, but all must war. The Christian's warfare includes hand-to-hand conflicts, wounds, battle fatigue, and discouragement, with sieges and assaults unique to its nature. There are victories and defeats, and the consequences are unchangeable and eternal once the fight is over, with no possibility of reparation. The enemy in this war is the evil triumvirate of the world, the flesh, and the devil. The world serves as a nearby distraction from duties to Christ, while the devil encourages over-indulgence, but the most challenging adversary is the ever-present flesh. This internal struggle is constant, as the carnal heart, the instrument of death, generates sin and must be contended with to prevent its enmity against God from breaking out. Jesus Christ, as the Commanding General, directs each Christian in their unique battle, where the consequences are profound. The Christian must be a soldier, understanding that suffering is part of their lot in life, enduring it with patience and perseverance. Like a soldier, a Christian is called to give wholehearted, loyal devotion, prioritizing their service to Christ above civilian distractions. This warfare demands adherence to the rules laid down by Christ, expressing love through obedience in every activity. The battle is continuous and unremitting, requiring the Christian to crucify the flesh daily, mortifying evil desires with a resolute determination to exterminate sin utterly. Despite the intensity of this warfare, there is hope and assurance. The legal reality of being justified under Christ's blood provides spiritual safety, as if shielded invisibly, even amidst the struggle. Yet, this safety obliges the Christian to cooperate with God during sanctification, using the tools provided by His Spirit to fight and overcome evil drives. This fight is not for salvation but for preparation for the Kingdom of God, transforming the Christian through the practical experience of God's law written on their heart and mind.

In the ongoing series on the Christian Fight, we are reminded that Christian living parallels the Old Testament instruction given to the Israelites. Just as they were to confront and drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land in cooperation with God, we are to confront and drive out old habits, attitudes, and loyalties from our pre-conversion days. Our warfare, however, is not physical but spiritual, taking place primarily within ourselves. It demands qualities such as loyalty, courage, self-denial, wisdom, understanding, and sacrifice to overcome human nature and emerge victorious. The first line of warfare is against our own human nature, a constant enemy within us, described as deceitful and desperately wicked. Beyond this, we must battle the world, a subtler yet pervasive foe. The world encompasses attitudes, values, and conduct that are un-Christian and anti-God, shaped by our past before conversion. Its familiarity makes it easy to take for granted, yet it remains a dangerous influence, subtly drawing us back to old ways that are deeply ingrained in our character. God views the world as a seductive temptress, a competitor for our affection, luring us away from our commitment to Christ. We cannot straddle the fence between God and the world; it is a black-and-white choice with no neutral ground. The world stands ready to devour Christians, manipulating us through appealing senses and self-indulgent cravings, aiming to conform us to its patterns. We must recognize and strongly resist its persuasions, refusing to let it fashion us into its mold. The third enemy in this spiritual warfare is the devil, a formidable adversary, though less directly dangerous than human nature or the world due to our limited personal contact with him. His influence permeates through the worldly system constructed by his demonic assistants, affecting us even in his absence. Yet, God has placed a wall of protection around us, allowing these forces to test us only as He permits. We are commanded to resist the devil, standing firm in faith with a clear mind, fully awake, and ready to fight. This resistance is not passive but aggressive, requiring us to hold our ground and move forward, trusting in God's reinforcement. God promises that if we stand firm, the devil will flee, though not always immediately, necessitating faith and trust in Him during the struggle. Ultimately, the ability to fight this war comes from seeking God, building a relationship with Him through prayer, study, obedience, and meditation on His word. This relationship equips us to resist the devil, control human nature, and remain dead to the world's allure, relying on God's power to overcome these enemies in our Christian Fight.

The Christian fight is a daily battle against the carnal heart, the world, and the devil, requiring resources that only God can provide through a relationship with Him. To triumph in this warfare, believers must put on the whole armor of God, prioritizing the seeking of Him above all else. Jesus emphasizes trusting God over worrying about everyday needs like food and clothing, assuring that God, who cares for even the grasses and flowers, will provide for those who are far more important to Him. Seeking God and His Kingdom first is central to this fight, with the promise that all necessary things will be added to those who truly pursue this path. Establishing priorities is essential for success in this spiritual battle. Commitment is foundational, but it must be strengthened by devotion, which adds an emotional attachment and intense loyalty to God beyond mere obligation. This devotion, coupled with love for Christ, transforms the fight into a deeply personal dedication. Cooperation with God is also vital, as resisting Him hinders progress, while working energetically with Him produces the qualities needed for the battle. Vision is another critical element, helping believers stay focused despite distractions and discouragement by keeping the ultimate goal of God's Kingdom in sight. Time-management is equally important, as time moves inexorably toward God's desired end, and opportunities must be seized before they pass. The Christian must understand that every era presents challenges, yet each moment is ripe with possibilities to grow and overcome. Making the most of every opportunity, no matter how small, is crucial to advancing in this fight, ensuring that God's will is done in every circumstance.

God's calling initiates a profound separation for the Christian, severing ties from the world and death, while binding us to the Kingdom of God and life. This dual separation demands that we live as strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land, prioritizing our citizenship in heaven and obeying the laws of our new nation. As James 4:4 warns, friendship with the world is enmity with God, making it clear that we cannot serve two masters. Once called, we must serve God wholeheartedly, or we risk receiving His grace in vain. This separation fuels the Christian fight, a battle against the constant pull of the world and carnality that threaten to draw us back to our former ways. Our need for faith is paramount in this struggle, as it enables us to resist backsliding and to remain steadfast in our commitment to God's way. Like Abraham, whose breaking away was fraught with challenges, we face difficulties in fully detaching from our past, yet faith must guide us to trust and obey God's will. God's commands often seem demanding, but accepting His calling places the burden of responsibility on our shoulders to wage this fight. We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, as our reasonable service. This ongoing fight requires us to deny ourselves, setting aside personal claims on our time and energy in favor of God's purpose, ensuring that our loyalties and purposes in life remain attached to Him and His Kingdom.

In the journey of faith, the Christian's fight is a central theme, reflecting a battle that requires divine strength and grace. This fight, often termed the good fight of faith, is not merely a human endeavor but one initiated and sustained by God. The Christian faces constant pressure from a hostile world, where skepticism and carnality threaten to erode conviction. This battleground is vast, encompassing every interaction and challenge that seeks to drive a wedge into the believer's spiritual life. Neglect of God's gift of grace can lead to a weakening of this fight, as seen in those who once were zealous but allowed their conviction to slip through inattention. When the right use of faith is ignored, spiritual life risks becoming an intellectual exercise rather than a pursuit of righteousness. Church attendance and religion may turn into mere mental activities, lacking the experiential transformation that fuels true growth and overcoming. This decline results in a faith that is not translated into practical works, leading to spiritual stagnation. The fight demands cooperation with God, who jumpstarts the process with His gifts and continues to work within the believer. It involves working out salvation, not to obtain it, but to carry what is already possessed to its logical conclusion—a life worthy of the gospel through ordained works. God supplies the desire and direction, even when the path is unclear, patiently guiding the believer through the struggle. This teamwork between the Father, the Son, and the believer shapes and conforms one to the image of Jesus Christ, ensuring that the fight is fought with divine support and purpose.

The Christian's fight emerges as a central reality in the life of a believer, reflecting the daily, experiential struggle that arises from walking to the beat of a different drummer. This battle involves two competing, warring dimensions within the mind that must be contended with simultaneously. With the help of God, through Jesus Christ, these challenges must be overcome to prepare for the Kingdom of God. This fight, often avoided by the world, underscores why true Christianity is so difficult. The great need for faith becomes evident in fighting this Christian fight to prevent backsliding to former ways. As illustrated by Abraham's life, breaking away from the old is not always smooth, yet it is essential to trust God and persevere through difficult circumstances, recognizing that God patiently works with each called one to lead them forward.

The Christian fight is a central theme in the spiritual journey, marked by struggle, deprivation, and sacrifice. This battle is not a leisurely endeavor but a rigorous warfare against spiritual forces arrayed against us. Living a Christian life creates stresses as it diverges from the norms of those around, demanding a determination akin to a soldier's conviction in a just cause. Faith is the cornerstone of this fight, essential in every aspect of Christian life, underpinning salvation by grace and serving as the foundation for reaching the spiritual goal of loving as God loves. Faith, as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, fuels the Christian's warfare. It is a gift from God, instilled through hearing His Word, specifically the message of Jesus Christ and the gospel of the Kingdom of God. This faith is not merely intellectual but must manifest in active conviction and perseverance, driving believers to endure trials with a realistic hopefulness rather than succumbing to despair or impatience. True faith operates on a divine timeline, trusting in God's promises and motivating visible actions through an unseen spiritual foundation. The Christian fight requires a steadfast refusal to surrender, embodying a quality of character that actively strains against pressures. Conviction and perseverance are inseparable in this battle, as believers must maintain a strong internal certainty in God's unseen realities, acting with boldness rather than retreating under trial. The examples of past faithful individuals demonstrate that living by faith achieves great things for God, setting standards for current believers to follow. Their lives show that faith must be directed toward pleasing God above all, ensuring that conviction grows through thoughtful listening and yielding to His evidence. In this warfare, faith is not passive but dynamic, producing works that evidence trust in God. The lack of such faith, as seen in historical failures, leads to drawing back in fear rather than advancing, resulting in spiritual loss. Conversely, those who believe and persevere are saved, highlighting the critical nature of maintaining conviction amidst the pressures of the world. The Christian fight, therefore, is a continuous call to endure, to hold fast to the faith given by God, and to live it out through active submission and love, which is obedience to His commandments.