Jude 1:19-20
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Every believer should memorize Jude 1:3 which says, Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Anyone who has been saved for any length of time knows that it is a battle to keep truth as the primary focus of your life. You will never be faithful to truth if you don't contend for the faith. Peace-loving believers never contend for the faith because they are more in love with peace than they are with truth.
However, those who are in the battle for truth must be careful that they don't let the battle pull them away from what they are contending for. It is easy to get so focused on the battle for truth that you stop doing what brought the battles, which is truth. One thing you will have to fight is to stay focused on what you are to be doing while you contend for the faith. You will recall Nehemiah who faced battles while building the wall. To keep the battle from overtaking them, they kept the trowel in one hand and the sword in the other. In other words, he stayed focused on what he was supposed to do while he contended against the enemy. He did not let the battle pull his focus away from the original focus of what brought the battle. God shows some things you must do to stay focused while contending for the truth.
First, keep yourself in the faith. Don't be so intent on defending yourself that you fall into error. Don't let the venom of those fighting against you cause you to do wrong. Battles are never cordial. Satan’s side never fights fair. You will find people will say horrible things to you and about you, but you must never react to their venom, but respond by obeying what the Scriptures tell you to do.
Second, keep going soul winning. Soul winning is the first action I take when I am in a battle. God commands to keep yourself in the love of God. In other words, soul winning is one of the greatest ways to contend for the truth. When others around you compromise, keep going soul winning. When you take a stand for truth, don't stop soul winning to fight the battle because Satan would love for you to get sidetracked and stop reaching the lost for Christ. Always remember that you contend for the faith by sharing the faith of the Gospel with the lost. Soul winning is one of your greatest weapons to use as you contend for the faith.
Third, keep investing in others. God says, And of some have compassion, making a difference: Compassion is not feeling sorry for people, but it is investing your life in people so that one day they will change what is destroying them. Sadly, those who fight you the fiercest are often those you invested the most in, but don't let that stop you from investing in people. Keep making a difference in lives by continuing to invest in people.
Fourth, keep praying in the battle. God said you contend for the faith by praying in the Holy Ghost. Spend much time in prayer while you are contending for the faith. You need the Holy Ghost’s power as you contend for the faith to keep the battle from destroying your spirit and life. Prayer will keep God’s power on you so you can stay focused in the battle.
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