Fight – for His Glory

When is it ok to fight?

There are times in our walk when we face battles. Many of which aren’t with “principalities, power, rulers of the darkness of this world, or spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬) Sometimes, it’s with family, other saints, or even with church leadership. How many times have you heard (or said) something like “(insert name here) has a devil”? When they really mean “(insert name here) really hurt me”? Or have you been asked to “avoid (insert name here) because of (insert reason here)”?

If what we do is “for His Glory,” how do we know if we are fighting the battle in His will or one outside of His will? How do we know if we are operating out of strife or out of love?

The Bible provides principles and examples that guide when to engage in conflict and when to avoid it, emphasizing wisdom, righteousness, and reliance on God’s direction. Here are some key considerations when considering when to fight:

To Defend Others or Uphold Justice for Someone Else

• Proverbs 31:8-9 encourages defending the rights of the poor and needy: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
• In 1 Samuel 17, David fought Goliath in not for personal gain but to defend Israel and honor God.

When God Commands It

• In the Old Testament, God commanded Israel to fight specific battles (Deuteronomy 20:1-4), but victory was dependent on obedience to Him.
• Ecclesiastes 3:8 acknowledges there is “a time for war and a time for peace,” suggesting discernment in knowing when action is appropriate.

Spiritual Warfare

• Ephesians 6:10-18 calls believers to fight against spiritual forces using the “armor of God” (truth, righteousness, faith, etc.), showing that some battles are not physical but spiritual.

To Protect the Vulnerable

• Jesus’ defense of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11) is an example of standing against unjust actions and hypocrisy.

When Not to Fight

Knowing when NOT to fight battles is as important (if not more) as knowing when to fight. The Bible provides insight into when to avoid fighting:

When Revenge is the Motivation

You’ve probably heard “I don’t get revenge, I get even” – getting even is about keeping score, which is the fundamental goal of revenge – to balance the scales. If conflict is fueled by getting even – it’s time to throw out the scoreboard.

• Romans 12:19: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”
• Jesus taught to “turn the other cheek” in Matthew 5:38-39, promoting peace over retaliation.

When It Leads to Needless Strife:

Strife refers to intense and often bitter conflict, disagreement, or struggle. It is characterized by discord, contention, and sometimes hostility between individuals or groups. In the Bible, strife is often associated with selfishness, pride, and a lack of peace, and it is generally viewed as destructive to relationships and contrary to God’s will.

• Proverbs 17:14: “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”
• 2 Timothy 2:23-24 warns against foolish and ignorant arguments, as they create strife.

When It Harms Your Witness

Whether you know it or not, people are always watching and observing how you respond to situations—especially leaders. Often, our behaviors become justifications for others to act in certain ways. We should strive to protect our witness and avoid battles that could damage our walk and the walks of others who are watching us.

• Believers are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to “live at peace with everyone, as far as it depends on you” (Romans 12:18).

When It Distracts from God’s Work

Battles create “DRAMA” – though some love being in the middle of drama, ultimately, it distracts from the work God called us to do. Our mission is to build His kingdom, when conflict is being fed by drama, it’s time to focus on purpose.

• Nehemiah resisted distractions from his mission to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 6:3), showing that some conflicts are unworthy of engagement.

Principles for Discernment

When you don’t know what to do, rely on key principles of discernment:

1. Seek God’s Guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in God to direct your paths, including decisions about conflict. David often inquired of God before going into battle (1 Samuel 23:2).
2. Pursue Peace First: Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone.” – this means with every possible effort that you can sustain… life in peace. Jesus emphasized reconciliation in Matthew 5:23-24.
3. Rely on God’s Strength: When fighting is unavoidable, believers are encouraged to rely on God, not their own strength, as shown in 2 Chronicles 20:15: “The battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Summary

The Bible teaches that fighting should be guided by God’s will, motivated by justice or the defense of others, and avoided when driven by pride, revenge, or unnecessary conflict. Believers are called to prioritize peace, depend on God’s wisdom, and choose their battles carefully, keeping their focus on eternal priorities and their testimony in the world.

All – for His Glory