When Do We Fight and When Do We Flee?

When we were children, our parents taught us not to fight. We were encouraged to give in, withdraw, or leave. Against this background, it almost seems to be a contradiction that God's Word compares the Christian life to the battlefield of soldiers! We even say: “Christians are called to enlist in God's army.” We cannot live a God-pleasing life if we don’t fight! But it must be fascinatingly noted that there are times and situations in which God's Word instructs us to escape, in order to get away unscathed.

The apostle Paul writes: “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

In this passage, both methods we are to apply when we are attacked and challenged by the enemy are presented to us. On the one hand “fleeing,” and on the other hand other “fighting!”

This raises the question: When do we flee, and when do we fight? 

Flee, if the enemy is friendly!

There may be exceptions, but in general, we should flee if the approach of the enemy is friendly, inviting, and tempting! In the verses before 1 Timothy 6:11, the Apostle Paul talks about the charm and the lure of riches of this world. He urges us to escape from the “friendly” and deceptive enemy that disguises himself in the love of money. In his second letter to Timothy he again talks about another friendly enemy from which we should flee: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Joseph’s behavior serves as a very good example of how we should run away from an enemy that is inviting and tempting to the flesh. If we want to live victoriously, we must learn to avoid situations or to run away from activities and people who want to dissuade us from our obedience to God. An English proverb says this: “Who would not fall, shun the slippery places.” The invitation of the enemy can take many different forms: peer pressure from classmates, websites to which we have access, amusements which we observe, or deceptive financial opportunities available to us. Flee if the enemy is friendly! Pursue “righteousness, faith, love, peace,” and flee all whose appeal would dissuade us from following Jesus Christ.

Fight, when the enemy is dangerous!

There are situations where running is not an option! In Ephesians,

chapter 6, the apostle Paul talks about being prepared for battle and ready to confront the enemy! “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Standing and not running away! “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). Here the emphasis is clearly on standing! If the enemy seems dangerous, we should not give in and not retreat! If the enemy attacks us with doubt, allegations, discouragement, fear, and intimidation, we should not run away! We must be steadfast! We should not counter with our own strength, determination, and willpower. We can be steadfast in the power of His strength and through faith in Jesus Christ. We have the shield of faith to protect against the lies of the enemy, and can use the Word of God as a sword to edge away the enemy and “fight the good fight of faith!”

In what form does the enemy come to you today? Ask God for help to escape when you have to flee, and to fight when you have to fight. His plan for you is a life of joy, which is possible only through a victorious life.