Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us. Hebrews 12:1

When we respond to attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit with the truth of God's Word, the fiery dart is extinguished and the enemy takes another hit.

There's no doubt, though, that fighting the good fight of faith takes energy! But then so do selfpity, anger, unforgiveness, and self-loathing. Each of us must decide where we're going to put our energy when the battle grows fierce.

It is one thing to study war and another to live the warrior's life.

COMBATING RESISTANCE Turning Pro It is one thing to study war and another to live the warrior's life. — Telamon of Arcadia, mercenary

Good soldiers know that if they don't recognize who their enemy is, they are destined to lose the war. That is also true for those of us who battle in God's army. Even though Jesus put the enemy under His feet and won the victory for us, we still must move into that victory. There are still battles to be fought in prayer.

Our battle is spiritual, and what we accomplish in the spirit realm is as important as what the highly trained, prepared, and equipped soldier does in the physical. We must know our weapons and be highly skilled in using them. But first we must put on the armor God has given us in order to stand strong against

Our battle is spiritual, and what we accomplish in the spirit realm is as important as what the highly trained, prepared, and equipped soldier does in the physical. We must know our weapons and be highly skilled in using them. But first we must put on the armor God has given us in order to stand strong against the enemy.

I am engaged in spiritual warfare every day. I must never let down my guard—I must keep armed.

The Christian is likened to a boxer, who masters his own body and practices self restraint, and all the way through the New Testament you'll read words like this describing the Christian life: fight, wrestle, run, work, suffer, endure, resist, agonize, persevere. All of these are New Testament words describing the Christian life. It is to be a disciplined life.

I have been, and will go on, fighting that damnable, dirty, rotten business with all the power at my command.

I believe in the immortality of the soul because I have within me immortal longings.