Dr. Dan Hayden • 

My son was a high school and college wrestler. Now that’s an intense sport! I used to get emotionally exhausted after just watching one of his matches. Just think how tired I would be if I actually had to wrestle!

The sport of wrestling is a good analogy for the spiritual conflict. There are moves and countermoves, offensive strategies and defensive anticipations. Wrestling demands strength and agility and cleverness and endurance. It’s a one-on-one combat with an aggressive opponent who is devoted to destroying you. Yes, it is a good analogy for the Christian’s struggle with the devil.

In Ephesians 6:11-12 is says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Now did you notice that we wrestle not against flesh and blood? That’s where the spiritual conflict differs from the sport of wrestling. In wrestling you can reach out and grab an arm or a leg; but you can’t do that with the devil and his demons.

 

In fact, the word for “wrestle” here indicates that very thing. Actually, it’s not the word for “wrestle.” It’s a word that refers to a “struggle.” The root of this word really means “to vibrate,” and carries the idea of agitation.

Now that’s the way it is in our battle with the devil. It’s a spiritual struggle where all of life vibrates with intensity. As you face that temptation, you struggle to overcome the enticements of the flesh, and the allurements of the world. You wrestle with the devil. But the good news is this: you can win if Christ is your armor!

Hey – you had better concentrate. One false move, and the devil will pin you to the floor!