Rhonda Ware Williams

10 Ways to Know if You Are Fighting the Wrong Battle

Are you fighting the wrong battle? When you consider the many reasons to fight a worthwhile battle, it’s important to know which battles are yours to fight. Some battles are not for you. You get wrapped up in the fight, but when the dust settles, there is no real benefit for you. Such battles are a waste of your precious resources and energy. They use your valuable time and cost you plenty. If you are in the wrong battle, identify it and turn away. Here Are 10 Ways To Know If You Are Fighting The Wrong Battle and hindering your ministry and business. 

The need to fight for what God has for you is not new, especially when you commit to Marketplace Ministry. Think about it. God gave Moses and the Israelites their promised land, but Joshua had to lead them in several triumphant battles before they could possess their land (Joshua 1-24). The same principle applies to us. That’s why every battle is not bad. Some battles escort you toward new seasons. They build you up and prepare you to manage the fresh territory that God wants to give you. Some battles create a life reset and draw you closer to God and His plan. There are also battles that arise for no clear reason. You get attacked just because you can advance God’s agenda. Other battles happen as you pursue spiritual growth and seek to live out your God-given identity. Battles are tough, but when you persevere, they change you forever.

Before God uses you significantly, He changes you deeply.

This process happens in different ways and takes time. However, the more submitted you are to God’s Word, the better you’ll fight your battles and see God’s transformative power active in your life. 

How do you know which battle to fight?  

There are a few sure ways to tell if you are fighting the wrong battle.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Notice that there is a struggle. Look at who the struggle is against – rulers, powers, world forces of darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places!

Yikes! 

This is not a Marvel movie. This is your life, and it is real! These rulers, powers, world forces of darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places do one thing – kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10)!

Let’s put it all together.

Behind a spiritual battle is a thief, rulers, powers, world forces of darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. They are here to take something from you.

Once you decide to fight for what matters, people will try to lure you into foolish battles that are not yours to fight. Your time and energy are valuable. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into every battle offer. Decide which battle is worth your energy by answering the questions about 10 Ways To Know If You Are Fighting The Wrong Battle.

  1. How does winning this battle influence the big picture in my life?
  2. How does winning this battle influence my God-given call?
  3. What does the Bible say about the two sides of this battle?
  4. How will my stand in battle influence my reputation and my ministry and business plans?
  5. How much time will this battle require? Can I fight this battle and stay on God’s plan and timing?
  6. What will the time spent on this fight cost me? What does it stop me from doing?
  7. Who is in charge of the battle? Do I want to identify with this person?
  8. Is this battle something good, but a distraction to keep me from something great?
  9. Are you stepping in the shoes of another person who should fight their own battle? 
  10. Did God lead you to fight? Is He with you?

There are many worthwhile battles that are not right for you.

It’s important to know if you are fighting the wrong battle because it’s easy to be drawn into a battle that is not yours. For example:

  • You could fight every time someone says something that you don’t like. Instead of asking yourself, “Does the statement really matter?” 
  • You could fight for relationships that are not good for you instead of stepping away and letting go.
  • You could fight battles when you don’t like a situation but God wants to grow you in that place.
  • You could fight battles that are based on fear, rejection and anxiety. 
  • You could fight for a cause that has a deeper hidden, wrong agenda that is unknown to you.
  • You could fight when God is trying to grow another person but you are in the way.
  • You could fight when God is changing something that you don’t know about.

Bogus battles don’t lead you to victory. They are just battles that recycle the same battle in different forms. They are battles that have no purpose except to distract and wear you out.

Say no to bogus battles!

Find a quiet place to consider the battle that you are fighting. If it’s right, trust God and give it all that you have. The right battle draws to closer to God. It makes you grow according the God Word. It supports your purpose and calling Most of all, even when it’s difficult, God fights for you.

If you are in the wrong battle, don’t wait, don’t reason or explain. Just get out. Then get quiet with God and find out what He wants. When you know how God is leading you, go for it; fight and win! 

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31


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