fight

We've been learning what it means to be a REAL man at our church. REAL in all caps because it's an acronym like all great things:

Reject Passivity
Exemplify Integrity
Accept Responsibility
Lead Courageously

I must admit I wasn't readily convinced by these things a year and a half ago, but the more it's in the back of my mind as I live life and I see what lacking these qualities can do to a man's character and to how it affects the world around him, I realize that they're crucial.

It's not explicitly specified, but I think one quality that I really want to grow in and see other men grow in is in fighting to the death. More accurately, fighting the death.

Sin produces death. My natural response to such sin is to run in the other direction.
What, Chris? You're struggling with pride because you have a public reputation and position? Then just quit your position because it's making you proud.

What, Chris? You're struggling with lust? Then avoid anyone of the opposite gender at all costs, because they're the cause.

There's a fine line between proactively fighting against something and running away from it. I guess I could be proactively fighting by making decisions to steer away from the triggers to my sin, but more often than not, I make those decisions because I'm fearful of having to deal with my own sin being exposed. I'm afraid to repent and confess and come clean. And that's how we fight. In our weakness.

I want to learn to come head-to-head with my weaknesses, acknowledging their reality yet not backing down or despairing but having hope and faith that Jesus can overpower my sin no matter how great.

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
- 1 Timothy 6:12