Ding Ding Ding! Fight!

Nearly every single of us have gotten into at least one physical fight in our lifetimes – win or lose, we’re still here to tell the tale of our battles with the fisticuffs. Whether the source of our conflict is due to a period of torment from bullies, loose lips that tend to pop off at the mouth and/or social media, the powers that be, or some other external locale, we have had to fight at varying points in our lives. As adults, our battles are now against the system not limited to discriminating laws and ordinances; the credit reporting agencies; and sometimes, even within our own homes. Surely we’re above taking it outside for the fight circle to congregate around us to kick up dust and knock the stick off the other combatant’s shoulder, but in the day of WSHH people tend to thrive on others’ ratchetness by uploading videos to YouTube, Snapchat, and others.

While some people are gleefully whooping each other over a no-good man or a pair of Air Jordan sneakers, why do they cower from the institutions that promote the crabs in a barrel mentality?

In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul implores us to put on the whole armor of God in order for us to ready for anything the world throws at us. It is a challenge to live upright in a society that not only twists Scriptural meanings to fit a narrow narrative but also mocks the lifestyle we have chosen to follow. Therefore, we must be prepared to throw down and have the wisdom to not engage in every single petty disagreement because this is what the opposition desires of us.

Who and what are we supposed to fight?

We fight the wiles of the devil. Simply put, resist the urges of jealousy, avarice, lust, greed, etc. in all of their trickery. When we were in middle school and upward, the “cool” thing to do was fight at the fairgrounds, a school, or movie theater parking lot where a large crowd was guaranteed to view the conflict. Just because I want to beat your tail doesn’t mean everyone needs to see it:  law enforcement has a tendency of getting involved making that proposition a no-win situation. Fighting the wiles also includes having the moxie to walk away from a potentially bigger problem such as a hospital stay or worse, a criminal record.

Besides flesh and blood, we are to also fight principalities and powers as well as spiritual wickedness in high places. Let’s face it:  the United States of America has not been a kind place to minorities, the LGBTQ community, or the poor thanks to laws that discriminate against race, gender, creed, or even a difference of opinion! We’ve had the Civil Rights movement, women’s suffrage, and currently the Pride movements all aimed at dismantling unjust laws and policies that separate us. Much like last summer when the government legalized gay marriage nationwide, North Carolina’s Moral Mondays, and the rise of #BlackLivesMatter, our fight continues daily.

In a capitalistic society which we value others primarily based on material possessions and titles, the poor among us have to endure multiple battles:  must work for minimum wage but not make so much they are denied assistance; greedy employers declining to pay health insurance or provide safe working conditions; not having enough to food or utilities (having to choose one or the other) to get by; and a myriad of other issues. If we dismiss the Fight for $15, then we are also spitting in the faces of those who do the most and have to live with the least.  In other words, just because we were born into the lucky sperm or egg club does not imply everyone else had that beginning. The late comedian Bernie Mac told us about messing with the people who prepare our food or perform vital services in the background. Are we paying any attention, or was that for a quick laugh?

When fighting, we’re hopefully standing and connecting on our blows – and if not, working on getting the upper hand to punch out our foes. Even as we get knocked down by a slanted legal and judicial system, the onus is to persevere – and once we accomplish victory, reach a hand out to the lesser fortunate.

Paul further uses imagery to show how to fight albeit from the days of Caesar and Augustus. To be a soldier, you have to look the part as another step toward preparation for war:  Are your pants pulled up? Is the breastplate free of nicks and punctures? Is the footwear comfortable enough to evade a cut, stab, bullet or worse? What about the shield? How effectively does it protect from falsehoods and low blows that come our way? We can easily be taken out if we’re not prepared for what exists outside of our front doors and away from those we love most; that readiness comes from the Word of God being taught at home along with the common-sense approaches we acquired as children.

Most importantly, he exhorts for us to take the helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God in verse 17. The reminder to remain vigilant of what we hear, say, and view affects not only us but also those around us. As much as I enjoy hearing Bryson Tiller, some of his underlying messages are at least rated PG-13:  the babies do not need to accompany the chorus or verses on “Don’t” for a catchy tune – as I learned with the R. Kelly album 12 Play in junior high – can be cause for a lot of trouble down the road. I had the tape confiscated by my parents thanks to the raunchiness my fifteen-year-old self should not have needed to hear or attempt to partake! What they failed to consider was their son already had a reputation as a nerd and straight arrow thereby most opportunities with the fairer sex were already neutered.

That’s a whole lotta fightin’ right there.

Remember the underdogs in history and their upset victories heard ‘round the world:  David killing Goliath; the Russians beating the 1980 US hockey team; Truman defeating Dewey in 1948; the 2007 New York Giants edging my beloved New England Patriots in the Super Bowl; Macklemore over Kendrick Lamar in the Grammys for Rap Album of the Year; and Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson.

What are we fighting for? We do not have the option to sit this one out.

You either fight the bully or you are the bully.