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 Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:39 pm
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I remember at an church I went to for a good chunk of my life and left almost two years ago, there was a phrase that was often said in sermons. It was said enough times that you would think, "Oh, that's how it's supposed to be." This phrase was, "We always choose our own battles!" So I thought, "Oh, okay, we choose our own battles in trials...but what do they mean by that? They never say. They just leave it as if whatever happens in our life is always going to be our fault." I still hear people within churches and not within churches say this phrase, but how true is this statement?
My view point:
This statement to me isn't true. If it's said, "Sometimes we choose our own battles." Then it would be partly true because as a result of sin there is sometimes punishments for it - even today. If we are knowingly doing something sinful and keep doing it even though it's wrong, there will eventually be a consequence from it. If it's pornography, it could ruin a marriage, relationship, or even ourselves. If it's stealing, you may get caught or become framed. "Karma" as we call it can be a result of sin:
Galatians 6:7 - 8 NIV:
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
*When someone says, "We always choose our own battles." I find this to be a false concept completely because of the word "always". If we take into account the story of Job from the book of Job, Satan was given permission by God to make Job suffer. God allowed Satan to do so as long as he didn't kill Job. Now, Job didn't pick this battle because he's mentioned as a faithful servant of God. Obviously, God liked Job and possibly knew that Job was strong enough to keep going in God's name, even with all the suffering. Job didn't choose to lose everything and become miserably ill. That was not a battle that Job chose. Satan can be allowed to set temptations into our path on a daily basis so we don't choose for that to happen, but if we give into that sin then we know we did something wrong and perhaps in a sense chose that battle because it could be avoided.
All in all, if the phrase was put, "Sometimes God chooses our battles and other times we choose our battles." or even, "Sometimes we choose our own battles." Then it would have truth to it. What do you all think?
1. Do we always choose our own battles? Why or why not?
2. Have you heard this phrase used and accepted by others as common fact?
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:33 pm
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I have never heard this phrase before, so maybe I am reading it wrong, but when I think of choosing a battle, I think about which things I want to"battle" my children about. Sometimes they do things worth fighting about to correct, sometimes they do things I think isn't the way I would so it, but doesn't mean I need to gear up to correct them to do it the way I want either. I can't hound them about everything or I'd wear them and myself out. (floor picked up constantly, etc, etc, etc)
Maybe they meant it like this, Job could have chosen to NOT fight that battle that he didn't choose for himself by giving up and not standing for what is right, He choose which side to take. ?
I am not sure if that is what they meant or not, I really could be way off, seeing as I am not familiar with the meaning of that phrase.
We do get to choose our own actions though.
Sorry if I am getting this wrong! biggrin
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 6:04 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 6:15 pm
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Aoife I have never heard this phrase before, so maybe I am reading it wrong, but when I think of choosing a battle, I think about which things I want to"battle" my children about. Sometimes they do things worth fighting about to correct, sometimes they do things I think isn't the way I would so it, but doesn't mean I need to gear up to correct them to do it the way I want either. I can't hound them about everything or I'd wear them and myself out. (floor picked up constantly, etc, etc, etc) Maybe they meant it like this, Job could have chosen to NOT fight that battle that he didn't choose for himself by giving up and not standing for what is right, He choose which side to take. ? I am not sure if that is what they meant or not, I really could be way off, seeing as I am not familiar with the meaning of that phrase. We do get to choose our own actions though. Sorry if I am getting this wrong! biggrin
Thank you for posting. That is definitely a new way of thinking about it and perhaps I never saw it that way before. 3nodding |
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 6:26 pm
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On_Fire_4_CHRIST I don't believe we *always* choose our own battle because Satan is the one who is after us. Sometimes we pick fights we shouldn't or start things we shouldn't; and it is in those moments which we choose our on battles. However, in other cases, its Satan's aim to destroy us; and we get entangled in an unwanted battle. That being said, I don't necessarily agree with "God chooses our battles." That - to me - sounds like God is causing our problems to occur; allowing and causing are two different things.
Even though we do face battles that we do not always expect, God does give us a way to defend ourselves with His word. God also does not give us more than we can bear and provides a way of escape:
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
As a note, demons and Satan are not omnipresent beings, so, they can't be after us every waking moment. Satan uses the world with his power to try to throw temptation into our path.
In my original post, I meant that we, as human beings, are sometimes said to choose our own battles. I apologize if I confused the point I was trying to make in my original post. God bless. |
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:30 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 9:46 pm
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Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 8:16 am
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i am in between about this because one way we do choose our battles but in another way we don't really choose them. With choosing our battles, it would be like aiming at a certain problem with Children and simply teaching them God's rules and morals about their choices so that they may correct themselves and align themselves to the word of God. On not choosing our battles may be like not facing the problems that dwell in the heart that may cause the temptations to be overwhelming if too focused on instead of focusing on Jesus Christ and his grace and mercy from such things. Such as this prayer that will help in great times of dire need
Psalm 6
O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your wrath.
2
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am pining away;
Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed.
3
And my soul is greatly dismayed;
But You, O Lord—how long?
4
Return, O Lord, rescue my soul;
Save me because of Your lovingkindness.
5
For there is no [c]mention of You in death;
In [d]Sheol who will give You thanks?
6
I am weary with my sighing;
Every night I make my bed swim,
I dissolve my couch with my tears.
7
My eye has wasted away with grief;
It has become old because of all my adversaries.
8
Depart from me, all you who do iniquity,
For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
9
The Lord has heard my supplication,
The Lord receives my prayer.
10
All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed;
They shall [e]turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed.
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