“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” — Luke 6:27

In the Ring

During my lifetime, I have received racially prejudiced physical and verbal assaults. This led to feelings of insecurity, even to the point of contemplating suicide. As a perceived remedy to my problems, I turned to the martial arts for self-defense.

Over the years, I fought many opponents, and what was common in every altercation was that each of them was really a battle in an invisible ring … the spiritual realm. Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

It is imperative that we create for ourselves a daily regimen of wholeheartedly submitting to God’s will over our own in order to become more Christlike — eliminating religious and racially segregated barriers.

By putting God’s Word into practice, learning to swallow our pride, we become equipped to love our enemies … even in the ring.

The next time your ego is challenged, or your pride is hurt, how will you respond? Remember that your coach and trainer, Jesus Christ, is in your corner.

— B.T. West III

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