Wrestling

We are going to discuss what it means to wrestle. This will be looked at from the spiritual aspect. We are going to start in Genesis with Jacob. Jacob is returning home with his family to the land of Canaan. Esau has threatened Jacob and he is feeling a little fear.

Genesis 32:6-28

32:6 I am sure this would shake anybody up; seeing 400 soldiers coming at you and not knowing if they are friend or foe.

32:7-8 all plans should include God in them. Remember, Jacobs children are the future tribes of Israel. God has plans for them.

32:9 Jacob has nothing to fear, he is following the plan of God!

32:10 (compare 1 Peter 5:10). Mercies H 2617; kindness. Jacob is showing a lack of faith. He split his band into two without God telling him to. Remember God sent him there, he should believe!

32:11-12 God’s promises are never broken. When we are instructed to do something form God, don’t hesitate and do it with boldness.

32:13-15 Jacob is trying to smooth things over with gifts. This never works in the long term.

32:16 Jacob is trying to make it look like he has many gifts to offer. He is not obeying God. God tld him to go there and it would be well with him.

32:17-19 Jacob is wrestling or contending without God. He has left God out of these plans. Usually when man makes up plans that don’t involve God they backfire!

32:20 Jacob is more concerned with pleasing man over God! That is a very scary situation to be in.

32:21-24 God will test those whom He has appointed to do things for Him. Jacob is not passing the test. He is trying to buy the friendship of Esau over doing it God’s way. Purchased friendships don’t come with any loyalty, only” what can you do for me now”. Jacob is wrestling with God; who do you think will win?

32:25-26 Jacob didn’t give up, unfortunately he is fighting against God; this is not a good place to be. Jacob is finally seeking God instead of man’s ways.

32:27-28 Jacob: the name means “contender”. Israel: God commands, orders or rules. This would signify that from this point Jacob would be the prince who prevails with God over men. The lesson we should take form this is to not leave God out of our decisions and plans. God is the one who gives us the victory.

Ephesians 6:10-18

6:10 it is HIS might not ours we are to be plugged into!

6:11 (compare: Ephesians 4:14). We need this strength to overcome the tricks and tactics Satan brings.

6:12 our war is not in the flesh. It is hard to discern this and understand it but it is true. We are in a spiritual war against Satan and when we are in battle with him, we should be plugged into the power God gives.

6:13-14 God’s elect (those that stand for God) will need to be plugged into the power God gives in order to overcome. Truth is the belt that keeps your pants on! In the time of the bible, the belt was used to hike up the skirt men wore to prepare for battle. Let doing what is right guard your heart and motives.

6:15-16 where your feet go, peace will follow you. Faith is powerful! It is what protects us from all the evil that may come our way. It makes us depend on God and His promises for us when things are not going well.

6:17-19 our weapon is the word of God! Know it, use it and fight. Having the gospel armor on allows us to be plugged in to the power of God. This will be needed when we are called to speak before the antichrist.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

5:1-3 many will be caught off guard as to when the true Christ will return. We will not, for we know that the antichrist will return first in peace claiming to be Jesus.

5:4-5 we are girded with truth! We know what God’s word says about the end times. We are ready to wrestle and prevail against our enemies with the power of God by us.

1 Timothy 6:11-16

6:11-12 we have the shield of faith on, we can overcome.

6:13-14 don’t allow bad things to come in and corrupt the truth. We will make the stand for truth and prevail when all others pervert Gods word.

6:15-16 this is the power we draw from!

Romans 13:11-14

13:11-12 today is the day we should make a stand for God; don’t wait!

13:13 there is no time for these things that would draw us away from God.

13:14 don’t leave God out of your decisions. Be ready to make a stand to contend with the enemies that would seek to take your salvation away from you.