Fight Not to Loose
One of the more interesting combat sport developments over the last couple of decades has been Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA. In MMA, competitors fight each other with a combination of boxing, wrestling, and various martial arts with very few restrictions on what techniques can be used in the match. The match is over either by knock out, TKO, or when one of the fighters “Taps Out.” (A tap out is when a fighter signals submission to an opponent by tapping the mat or the other fighter, and the referee will stop the match.)
One of the more dominant fighting techniques in MMA has been Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A man named Helio Gracie largely developed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Helio Gracie had learned traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu from his brother Carlos. A Japanese man named Count Koma had taught Carlos. Carlos was much bigger and stronger than Helio, easily beating his younger brother every match. Helio began to improvise on the techniques of Ju-Jitsu and to develop a unique fighting style that allowed a much smaller, weaker man to defeat larger, stronger opponents. Helio said his fighting philosophy was, “I fight not to loose.” Indeed, over the years Helio and his system of Ju-Jitsu has produced more MMA champions than any other martial art.
In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul reminds us that our struggle as believers is not with human beings but with “spiritual forces.” I think we often struggle to win victory in our battle because we are not properly engaged in the fight. We are facing an opponent so much bigger, stronger, and more powerful than us, we lose every time we face him. When we rely on our own strength, we get pounded.
It does not have to be that way. Remember what it means to “Tap out” (to signal submission to an opponent)? Jesus never “Tapped Out!” Because of His death, burial, and resurrection He conquered sin and death once and for all. The victory has already been won. When we engage in the daily spiritual fight, we most fight not to loose. We can only do this if we are not the ones’ fighting. If we recognize that it is by the Spirit of God in us, and He is more than sufficient to defeat all the evil spiritual forces that we face, then and only then, will we have spiritual victory in our lives.
We most hold on to the truth that God is in us. Our true power comes from Him. If we would learn to “Tap Out” to Him to submit to His will in all areas of our life then His strength would fill us. Imagine how different our struggles would be if filled with the Holy Spirit we looked at each spiritual fight as one where God had already won the battle? Christian friend, God has already won the battle!
Dear Father,
Help us to submit to you each day. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, and help us to rely on your power to fight for us in today’s spiritual battles. Teach us to rejoice in the conflict, not because we are so strong to victory, but because in our weakness we learn to trust only in your might, that we can give you all the praise for the Great things You have done!
To Him who is able to deliver us from all evil, be all glory, and praise, now and forever!
Amen
Great reminder, Jim! Also, we need to talk some MMA sometime…
That was a great message Jim using the analogy of MMA showing that we must be submissive so the Holy Spirit can work in our lives especially when we are facing a foe that is much stronger and we can’t win in our own strength. Thanks for the reminder.