You have to fight for it

It’s just that simple. Most things I do, all “good” things I do are a fight, period. How’s that getting up early to pray going? It’s a fight. My intellect is dull and my flesh is weak…sharpening and strengthening are a fight. What is it that we are fighting against? It’s a good reminder to look at the three-fold enemy of the world, the flesh, and the devil. You’ve got to know your enemy. Do you know that the world is constantly trying to crush authentic, self-sacrificing, prayer-grounded masculinity? Look at the culture, show me how many models of Jesus or St. Joseph you see in the media, movies, or music industry. You are either fighting against the influence of our current culture, or you are part of the problem.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The flesh wars against the spirit, daily. How many of us can’t get up on time? Is that the culture or the devil working against us…no it’s your flesh, in all it’s soft pudginess. Take a cold shower. Easy? Doubt it. Miss a meal, miss a couple meals. If you fight against your flesh on a regular basis, these are doable. Ascetical practices (look this up if you don’t know what I’m talking about) are necessary for all men to fight against their flesh. Not just during Lent.

Romans 7:18 “For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.”

The devil is real, demons are real. They war against the human race. I recently saw the movie “Nefarious”, it’s worth seeing. The movie is a great dramatization of the battle for the human soul that is daily engaged. The battle is real. You’ve got to fight.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Here’s the good news, the great paradox. We fight daily by surrendering to Jesus, to the Father, to the Holy Spirit. We step up, we get up to pray, we step forward to answer the call, but God, the Almighty, does the fighting. His burden is light. Yes, you have to get up to fight, but He is faithful and He will fight for you.

Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still.”

Men are abandoning their vocations left and right. Men sleep. They are not standing by to engage. They are busy medicating themselves. Stand and fight. Open yourself to the power of the Holy Spirit…The LORD will fight for you.