Fight like a Christian

Peter's Example

The night before Jesus died He told his closest followers that He was going to be betrayed and that they would all abandon Him when it happened. Peter kept insisting...

"Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"
- Peter (Mark 14:31)

Sure enough, when Judas rolled up with a mob, Peter was ready to prove it. He whipped out his sword and cut off the ear of one his enemies (John 18:10). I doubt he was aiming for the ear... the man probably just moved his head out of the way as best he could.

Before Peter could continue chopping away (or die), Jesus told him to put his sword away and then He undid the damage by healing the man (Luke 22:51). After that, all of His followers tucked tail and ran (Mark 14:50).

Still, Peter wasn't done yet. He followed at a distance. He was even so bold as to sit in the courtyard with the officers and servants around the fire while Jesus was being questioned inside the high priest's residence.

Then people started to get suspicious of Peter. He looked familiar. They accused him of being a follower of Jesus. He denied it once, then again, then a third time. Then Jesus turned and looked at Peter and Peter ran away and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61).

Peter was ready to die for Jesus with a sword in his hand. He seemed to be at a loss of what to do without one.

Jesus' Example

After Jesus had told Peter to put his sword away He asked him:

do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?
- Jesus (Matthew 26:53-54)

Jesus was not defenseless, but He had a bigger battle to fight right now. He saw the people as victims rather than enemies. After they had beat Him and nailed him to a cross He prayed:

Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.
- Jesus (Luke 23:34)

Jesus stood before many people including the high priest, the council of religious leaders, the Roman governor Pilate, King Herod, the Jewish mob, and even criminals. He was abused and bitterly accused of many things by them all. Yet He made no attempt to defend himself.

The high priest seemed frustrated by His silence, wanting to use His words to condemn Him. But Pilate was amazed, saying:

“Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!” But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.
- Pilate (Mark 15:4-5)

What kind of man doesn't defend himself? Particularly when the accusations are false and his life is on the line. That aside, if He truly was the king they said He claimed to be, why would He tolerate such insults?

Jesus was fighting a battle by Himself. Not against the people, but a spiritual battle. His victory would win people the opportunity to be forgiven of their sins.

A different way

Later, His followers understood what it meant to fight like Jesus. Paul said:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
- Paul (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

Paul understood that physical weapons are weak compared to what God can do and that there are spiritual battles that are much more significant than the physical ones we tend to think of fighting. This power was made evident as a small band of followers spread Jesus' kingdom throughout the world. They were typically poor and uneducated and often persecuted, yet the message continued to spread and the community that was built outlasted the kingdoms of that time.

At times, crooked people have twisted the church for selfish gain using the weapons of this world, but this is not its true power. Its true power is found in destroying enemies by making them friends.

Overcome evil with good

It is found in the proverbs when it says:

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Proverbs 15:1
And a soft tongue breaks the bone.
- Proverbs 25:15

It is found in the teaching of Jesus as He told people:

...do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two... love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
- Jesus (Matthew 5:39-41;44-45)

It is found in the teachings of Paul when he told the Romans:

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone... so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men... never take your own revenge... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Paul (Romans 12:17-21)

What are your weapons and what are your battles?