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"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:11,12).

This coming Lord's Day is Father's Day here in the US. It's a day that we are to especially practice the Fifth Commandment, "Honor your father and mother" (Exodus 20:12). My dad went to be with the Lord sixteen years ago and Brooksyne's fourteen years ago. As time goes by we continue to reflect on their example in living life and specific teaching moments borne out of actual experiences. My dad was a quiet man and his teaching was rarely verbal but rather by example.

Today we offer a Biblical challenge to men to rise up as men of God on "Father's Day", considering a solemn charge to Timothy expressed in the daily Scripture portion. Note the four words beginning with the letter "f" in the text; flee, follow, faith and fight.

Today we just want to consider the final point, "Fight the good fight of faith." I have never enjoyed fighting. I recall a period in Junior High School when a class bully had the word out that he wanted to fight me. That was sure a hard several months. I was terrified. Thankfully, we never had the fight he desired. I would rather avoid conflict than face it. I don't even enjoy books or movies that have physical conflict. It brings about feelings of angst.

But there is an ongoing conflict in the spiritual realm that is unavoidable. We who have decided to flee evil and follow Christ are engaged in this conflict by virtue of being a part of the fallen human race. Supposed neutrality in this conflict is actually surrender and an alliance with the forces of evil. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

The Apostle Paul calls this "the good fight". This specific phrase is only used in the letters to Timothy. (see here) It is good in the sense that God desires His people not to surrender to evil but to take an unyielding stand for righteousness. The good fight is the ancient conflict that began with the fall of Satan that resulted in his expulsion from the heavenly realms. It was seen soon after Creation in the Garden and all through the Bible and human history.

Isaiah 5:20 declares, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Evil is called good and good is called evil. We are awash in moral confusion and we must determine the difference between good and evil and which side we are on. As the great old hymn declares, "For still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe, his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal."

Today we pray for all those fighting the good fight, seeking to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints and standing up for God's truth and righteousness. We are convinced the battle will get increasingly fiercer. Let us all remain faithful to our call and, men, let us be spiritual leaders in our household!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father in heaven, we pray for our fathers on earth, our grandfathers, husbands and sons that they will pursue godliness above all earthly pursuits. We pray that they will resist the temptation to fall into the devil's trap where foolishness and harmful desires will plunge them to ruin resulting in disappointment, loss and heartache. Help them to flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Help them to lead their families in the good fight of faith as they take hold of eternal life. Make them strong in their faith so that they throw away anything that hinders their spiritual walk or that of their wife or children. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.