"Fight Like Hell..."
These aren't my words, but words spoken by President Trump, just before the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. "We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore." Seems to me that "fighting like hell" has not strengthened our country. It has weakened our country and the world. And made all people less safe.
Three days ago, when speaking to the U.N. General Assembly on September 24th, President Trump told our European Allies, "Your countries are going to hell." One minute we're challenged to "fight like hell." Then, our allies are told that hell is where their countries are headed. And hell's to be avoided at all costs.
Well, I agree hell shoul be avoided. But in the end, for each of us, it's not a political decision. However, hellish tactics have invaded our political battles and spread beyond. We struggle to trust, listen and speak kindly to one another, in our homes, schools, churches and workplaces.
So what does it look like to "fight like hell"? Well, I hope I'm not an authority, but some things seem obvious. First, make everything about you. It's them versus me. And them has no limit. Second, avoid listening to learn. Keep your mind made up, no matter the cost. And there will be costs.Third, Remember LOVE is a four letter word (like forgiveness) and a sign of weakness. Fourth, money is the only green that matters. Th earth belongs to us. Fifth, Hold onto power, however you can. You make the rules. You rule. And sixth, distort truth just enough to confuse some and convert others.
Well, I feel like my brain needs a bath after writing the above. But thank God, there's another way. Fight like heaven! And, if we don't, we will lose our souls and all that really matters. So, what does it look like to fight like heaven?
Well, first, look at Jesus. "I have come that you may have life. And have it to the full." (John 10:10) It was never about him. It was always about us. Second, "Come let us reason together..." not my idea, God's. (Isaiah 1:18) Third, Love one another and your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18 and John 13:34) Fourth, "You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24) Jesus didn't shy away from speaking about money. Read Luke 12:15. As to God's green earth, Psalm 24:1 reminds us, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." We're caretakers of resources and inhabitants.
And fifth, Jesus reminds his followers, Serve. Don't demand to be served. ( Matthew 20:25-27) In John 13 we read about Jesus washing the disciples' feet, including Judas Iscariot's feet. Jesus stoops to serve. The sixth is heaven's way of dealing with lies, distortions and manipulating truth to serve self or an agenda. For starters, Speak truth. Jesus refers to lying as the language of the devil, hell's honcho. (John 8:44) We can also go back to the Ten Commandments and see which deal with forms of deception: stealing, bearing false witness, maybe manipulating Sunday to be me-day, killing people's reputations through lies. But you get it. Don't lie. Speak truthfully.
Well, I refuse tit for tat. Six ways of identifying hell's tactics and six of heaven's ways to fight evil. So, here's the seventh of heaven's weapons of mass instruction. Be prepared. This is no playground fight between blue versus red, haves versus have nots. Nor is it a battle over semantics, although, sometimes words wound.
So, do as someone who knew about fighting battles. Read what the apostle Paul wrote, after instructing readers on some ways to live out their faith. He concludes," Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you may take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against...evil." ( from Ephesians 6) Read the chapter and find fortification to be faithful to the finish.
And since it's Fall, it's time to change wardrobes, in order to deal with changes in weather. So take a look at what the best dressed Christian wears, according to Ephesians six, not Elle or LLBean magazines. It's six pieces: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (God's word).
So, are you ready to fight like heaven?
Well, we know what to do. Pray. Put on our uniforms. Prepare to love, even the unlovable.
Like us, sometimes.
And them.
Holy help!
Available.
Holy
25 Comments
Amen!
Thanks, dear Kaye. We're in it together.
“Fight Like Heaven!” I much prefer! Thank you. I needed this today!
Love,
Niffy
Just reread what I wrote and noticed an extra "holy" at the end of the blog. Whoops! On second thought, it should read "Wholly!"
Thanks. I wrote it because I needed to stop and reflect on a better way. Love hearing from you, dear Niffy! Stay safe. Hope the hurricane doesn't hit North Carolina.
Thank you dear Jan. So good, I love your heart. ❤️
And I love your heart, dear Wendy. And Steve's. Great day today for Homecoming at Gordon College.
Amen!
So good to hear from my, my precious daughter-in-love. You make a difference in a hurting world with your heart and clinical training.
Thanks, Jan. This is a good reminder for all of us.
We all need reminders, dear Mark. Heard a great speaker tonight at Gordon College, John Rinehart, author of Gospel Patrons. He spoke about Tyndale and the man who supported and protected him, Humphrey Monmouth, while Tyndale was trnslating the Bible into English. Thank God, for both men, and for your dad, Ken Taylor and Tyndale Publishing. God's generous gifts to all of us through known and unheralded men and women of faith and courage.
Thanks again, dear sister! This is Biblically spot on!!!
There are so many ways God equips us to, Fight like heaven! If your case, it's through music. Praise is a powerful weapon. "At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves."( II Chronicles 20:22, NLT) Keep singing, dear Radina.
Amen! Plus Micah 6:8, one of my go to verses in my life.
It was one of Jud's favorite verses. I called him a Micah man. Praying for you, Ron and ways God uses you to fight like heaven.
Speaking the truth in love.
Loving one another.
I'm working to
turn my eyes on Jesus and
look full in his wonderful face
and can't wait to for the things of birth to grow strangely dim…
Yes, dear David, who we look up to and what we choose to listen to and believe, bend us towards fighting like hell or like heaven. I'm grateful for Gordon alums like you and Elizabeth, who continue to fight like heaven.
Ever grateful for your tenacious grace, grit, and wisdom, Jan!
Oh, how encouraging to hear from you, dear Becky. You and Will are two who continue to fight like heaven. Keep at it, using the unique gifts God's entrusted to you to fight hell with heaven's weapons. Grace is hard to resist.
What an excellent post, Jan. It’s worth reading and rereading. I certainly do not want to use hell’s tactics but rather heaven’s. I read this aloud to Mike on the way to the airport this morning and he asked me to thank you too. I wish all pastors could read this and use your words as a sermon outline.
Thank you , my dear Norwegian sister. We must refuse to use hell's tactics to fight. And then we need to come together and fight like heaven. Alone we can do something. Together we can do so much to mend broken relationship and take care of each other as we would wish to be cared for..
Thank you for the wise and well-chosen words of scripture! We gather under His banner of love.
Yes, my very dear sister-in-love. God's love, which has been lavished on us, is for sharing. And, as hard as it is to do sometimes, it is heaven's super power. And ours. Hug my brother for me and tell him I miss him. And you.
Thank you Jan for this helpful post. Sadly I grew up hearing messages very similar to “fight like hell” and through the ministry of Young Life and amazing Christian leaders I heard the Gospel and was able to learn a better way! I loved your twist “fight like heaven” . As I move into a new stage of life I want to pray and fight like heaven. Stay well and warm!
Peace in Christ
Tina H
Thank you, dear Tina, for your encouraging response. I'm so grateful for organizations like Young Life that have drawn more than one young person towards Jesus. And through their camps and clubs helped young Christians come closer to Jesus and make better choices during the teen years and beyond. For the sake of generations that follow, we must fight like heaven. It's not wimpy. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit in and through us. Tough stuff!