As I was reflecting on the boxer on the way he fights, it occurred to me he just doesn’t get into ring and throw a punch at his opponent. He trains and studies his opponent. No boxer can realistically expect to win a fight just by deflecting an opponent’s punches — they should be prepared to hit back too.  However, too many Christians today are trying to dodge the hits or just curl up in the corner hoping someone throws in the towel for them.

We are fighting an unseen enemy. He comes by many names rejection, envy, anger, cancer, hopelessness, death, etc. Satan and his demons are spirit beings trying to “steal, kill or destroy…” John 10:10, they are very powerful ones too and because of this, it is necessary to put on “the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph 6:11).

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:14-18