Spiritual Boxing Until Eternal Life

²⁶Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷No, I strike a blow to my body and make it so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (I Corinthians 9:26-27 NIV)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing identifies boxing as “A combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouth guards, throw punches at each other for a predetermined amount of time in a boxing ring.  Boxing is overseen by a referee over a series of one-to-three-minute intervals called rounds.’

‘A winner can be resolved before the completion of the rounds when a referee deems an opponent incapable of continuing, disqualification of an opponent, or resignation of an opponent. When the fight reaches the end of its final round with both opponents still standing, the judges’ scorecards determine the victor. In the event that both fighters gain equal scores from the judges, professional bouts are considered a draw.’”

Do you agree the earth is a large boxing ring for converted Christians? Do you think the wiles of the devil are plentiful targeting our vulnerabilities to sin against GOD? Do you believe biblical training and spiritual exercises and discipline are essential to become heavy weight Christians? Yes. (I Timothy 4:8)

Perhaps some of us forget to suit up the moment He opens our eyes. I have been guilty of waking up complaining about what could possibly go wrong versus thanking GOD for His grace and mercy to see a new day. This is the very moment to spiritually dress our mind for those waiting to test our patience and allegiance to GOD. “For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.” (Proverbs 4:16)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, and against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil, and there so power forces against us. (Ephesians 6:11-15)

Until we have attain eternal life, we will have spiritual boxing matches as soldiers in the Army of the Lord. So, we should take our words, thoughts and action during combat very serious to fulfill our righteous mission against the enemies.

Remember, “Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” (Provers 26:26-28)

When we get bruises and fall down from the devil’s punches, we get up, we stand straight, and we become heavy weight Christians striving for the crown of eternal life. — Tangie T. Woods

FINAL THOUGHTS

It will be too late suiting up when evil is standing in our faces prepared to throw serious blows to derail us from our righteous journey. Our application of life must be complete one hundred percent with honesty and self-examination to ensure we are in the faith that is professed.

Jesus is our only referee and mediator between God and mankind (I Timothy 2:5). He gave His life for the remission of our sin which should help us avoid and overcome evil flaming arrows and demonic punches.

I encourage us to keep fleeing evil punches for the sake of our soul, and to hear “Go, your journey is approved by the LORD.” (Judges 18:6)