“How do you assess the strength of something? By testing it.”
This was a quote out of my devotion. We’ve all done this. Barely stood on a wobbly bridge and applied some force, pulled on rope to make sure the swing wouldn’t break and the list goes on.
In Donna Pyle’s study, Your Strong Suit, she says, “Wrestling not only tests our strength, but provides a way of building it…repetition increases our strength and endurance.”
The verse she’s talking about is Ephesians 6:12
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ESV
WWF: Wrestling With the Foe
She went on to describe wrestling, how close two opponents are to one another and I began thinking about the kind of wrestling Paul was speaking about in Ephesians. He’s using an analogy that they would understand. Greek wrestling… maybe even Greco-Roman.
She went on to describe wrestling, how close two opponents are to one another and I began thinking about the kind of wrestling Paul was speaking about in Ephesians. He’s using an analogy that they would understand. Greek wrestling… maybe even Greco-Roman.
If he’s comparing our wrestling with the unseen enemy, then I think it would be wise to know exactly what it looks like. Don’t you?
Here’s what I found: (quotes are taken directly from Here)
“Wrestling to the Greeks was not only part of a soldier’s training regime, but also a part of everyday life.”
“Wrestling was taught under an instructor.”
“Greeks understood wrestling was a development of grace and symmetry in a vigorous activity that demands a high degree of skill and physical fitness.”
We can study wrestling matches by listening to the testimonies of other victories! We overcome by the blood (of Christ) and our testimonies! (Rev. 12:11) We can study the Word and take lessons through those men and women who wrestled.
But here’s something I found fascinating. When the Romans conquered Greece, they didn’t much care for the way the Greeks wrestled. They were much more “interested in brute strength and violence.”
They held the “Pankration, (meaning all-powerful) a no-holds-barred form of wrestling. It was so violent, it included kicking, joint dislocation, bone breaking, hair pulling, strangling and more. The sole object was to force an opponent into defeat to make him give up. The loser often ended up maimed or even dead.”
Our unseen enemy doesn’t have an appreciation for fair play or even sport. He’s interested in using his brute strength to wreak violence in our lives. He will resort to whatever measure he can to accomplish his mission.
I know there’s an area of my life that I’m constantly allowing the enemy to win. I’ve felt doubt and pity over this area, but I’ve never been angry because I haven’t looked at it as the enemy pulling my hair, biting, and even strangling me.
Maybe it’s time you and I get mad. Like little boys when they play wrestle, but one goes too far and then it’s on for real. Why? One little boy got mad.
Maybe it’s time to get mad and get even. Maybe it’s time to see the wrestling match for what it is and take back our hair, our dislocated bones, our broken skin from biting, and our breath. No more strangling.
Praise the Lord, my Rock, who trains me for war, who trains me for battle. Psalm 144:1
Maybe we should brace ourselves and scream to the top of our lungs all the things we are.
I was planned for. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I am loved. (Deuteronomy 7:7)
I am forgiven. Guilt free. (Ephesians 1:7) (Romans 8:1)
I am holy. (Colossians 1:21-23)
I am cared about. (1 Peter 5:7)
I am a special treasure. (Deuteronomy 7:6)
I am new. Washed clean. (2 Corinthians 5:17) (2 Peter 1:9)
I am unique and designed with purpose. (Romans 8:28)
I am a child of light. (Ephesians 5:8)
I am a good soldier. (2 Timothy 2:3)
I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
What we can do.
I can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)
I have resurrection power working through me. (Philippians 3:10)
I can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20)
I can be free. (Galatians 5:1)
I can overcome. (1 John 5:4) (Revelation 12:11)
Why we’re victorious.
I am covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:5) (1 John 1:7)
I have the Holy Spirit guiding me. (John 14:26)
I have a High Priest praying for me. (Hebrews 7:25)
I have God working on my behalf. (Romans 8:28) (Psalm 66:5)
With every maneuver of scripture and prayer, not out of pity…out of righteous anger…
we fight.
The Lord is powerful;
he gives victory to His chosen one.
Psalm 28:8
Which verse or verses
can you claim today?
Come by Living By Grace on facebook and let’s chat! Also, I’ll be guest posting at Robin’s Nest tomorrow! I hope you’ll stop in as I talk about Snow Days and how they relate to Christians.
Such powerful reminders, Jessica. Something happened recently that made me really mad. A righteous anger. And I keep wondering it if didn't happen to remind me about the niggling I've had for years to advocate in a certain area. This post reminded me of that.
~ Wendy
Awesome stuff!! I'm pretty sure I need to print our your list of "getting back" verses…carry it around with me…frame it. 🙂 I also love that you acknowledge anger as a healthy thing – an okay thing – even a really good thing. It really can be when we process it the right way…in a Holy Spirit-fueled way.
Seriously good stuff! (The photo of the lion may give me nightmares though…I couldn't help thinking, this is what Aslan would look like if he skipped the whole stone table thing and just took down the White Witch the animal planet way.)
"I am a child of light. (Ephesians 5:8)" I love it. If that doesn't give me a different outlook on my day, I don't know what will. I also love that "I have a High Priest praying for me. (Hebrews 7:25)" Awesome!
I can do all things.
Thank you for the reminder, Jess. 🙂
Have I said it yet? I just LOVE how much you love God. Beautiful words to read from you this morning on strength. I needed the reminder today!
What a great quote. I'm going to have to remember that one for so many reasons.
Wendy: Glad to be used! 🙂
Melissa: I'm a big believer in getting angry. I am not a believer in sinning in your anger! "I couldn't help thinking, this is what Aslan would look like if he skipped the whole stone table thing and just took down the White Witch the animal planet way.)" This cracked me up!
Julie: When I feel like no one is there, I remember at least one Person is praying for me!
Sheri: I know you'll be chanting that as you finish up your WIP and cook for a billion people!
Donna: I love how YOU love God! 🙂 We could do this all day! 🙂
Lydia: Me too! 🙂 Thanks!
Wonderful, encouraging post! I can claim quite a few today. Thanks for supplying the scripture next to the statement. I leave here renewed! Thanks Jess.
I am now ready for the fight! I recently learned self-doubt and pity are temptations from the enemy. You've helped me, giving me more weapons to fight. Thank you!
I am unique and designed with a purpose. LOVE this, Jess. Just wonderful post, girl.
Our enemy may be powerful, but it's so encouraging to know, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world," (1 John 4:4). Great post, Jess!
Strong, strong post, Jessica. I am claiming Romans 8:28 and Psalm 66:5. I am unique and I have God working on my behalf.
He does not forget His children. The devil may try to kick us around, but we don't have to take it. I'm thinking of that new movie coming out that features African-American pilots in WWII. They have a chant. "We fight! We fight! WE FIGHT!"
Whoa, talk about power! It's impossible to feel intimidated after reading these promises. Thanks for sharing, Jessica!
I second Sarah. Wow, wow, and double wow. This was amazing, Jessica. I'm tweeting it and FBing.
such truth!
Oh, my goodness! I feel like I've been to church–this was on my knees awesome! (Ever think about writing a book? 😉 *Wink* )
Toasting you with my afternoon cuppa!
Absolutely loved that first line – "How do you assess the strength of something? By testing it."
This is so true in life. Most of the time we don't how strong we really are until we're called upon to have that strength tested. Then, with God's help, we come out on the other side and realize "hey, I'm strong. I can do tough stuff!"
How 'bout I just take them all? *wink*
Love our God! I'm not good at getting angry. Sometimes I wish I were, for that righteous anger that's needed at times.
The reminder that I have a High Priest ever making intercession for me blessed my heart today.
Thank you, Jess.
And I love that photo of the woman in the sun-lit water.
The image of that horrible wresting gives me chills. And people actually watched it for sport. I'm glad times have changed.
And it's true. We never know how strong we are until hard things happen. We just keep going. Great post. 🙂
I am all about praying verses – God's Word is so powerful and too often we forget it. But those words…they are not only God breathed, they are Him.(John 1:1) I'm printing out your list–it's fantastic! Thanks for the boxing gloves today:)
Amazing post. So uplifting, and I so needed to read this today. Thanks for this. 🙂
"I am loved." That one resonated with me the most.