In the context of the Bible, "combating" refers to the act of engaging in conflict or struggle, whether physical, spiritual, or moral. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on how believers are to approach and understand combat in its various forms.

Physical Combat

The Bible contains accounts of physical combat, often in the context of defending God's people or fulfilling His purposes. One notable example is David's battle with Goliath, where David, a young shepherd, confronts the Philistine giant with faith in God rather than relying solely on physical strength or weaponry. David declares, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45). This account illustrates the principle that reliance on God is paramount in any form of combat.

Spiritual Combat

The New Testament emphasizes spiritual combat, urging believers to be vigilant against the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:10-18 provides a detailed description of the "armor of God," which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith, among other elements. The passage encourages believers to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). This metaphorical armor equips Christians to combat spiritual adversaries through faith, prayer, and adherence to God's Word.

Moral and Ethical Combat

The Bible also addresses the internal struggle against sin and temptation. In Romans 7:21-23, the Apostle Paul describes the conflict between the desire to do good and the sinful nature that opposes it. He writes, "So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law, but I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me" . This passage highlights the ongoing moral combat that believers face and the need for reliance on God's grace for victory.

Jesus and Combating Evil

Jesus Christ exemplifies the ultimate victory over evil through His life, death, and resurrection. His ministry involved combating the forces of darkness, as seen in His exorcisms and His triumph over Satan's temptations in the wilderness. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus resists the devil by quoting Scripture, demonstrating the power of God's Word in spiritual combat. His victory over sin and death provides the foundation for believers' confidence in overcoming evil.

The Role of Prayer

Prayer is a crucial component in combating spiritual and moral challenges. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to present their requests to God through prayer and supplication, promising that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . Prayer is depicted as a powerful weapon in the believer's arsenal, enabling them to stand firm in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

The Bible presents a comprehensive view of combating, encompassing physical, spiritual, and moral dimensions. Believers are called to rely on God's strength, equip themselves with His truth, and engage in prayerful dependence on Him to overcome the challenges they face. Through faith in Christ, they are assured of ultimate victory over the forces of evil.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Combat.

All his Insulting Epithets are Shewn by Facts to be False.
... He writes "cunning," "wrangling," "foe to truth," "high-flown [89] ," "charlatan,"
"combating general opinion and tradition," "braving facts which give him the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 10 all his insulting.htm

General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses ...
... We must know the writer's aim, the shape and course of his argument, the ideas which
he is combating as well as those which he seeks to establish, the emphatic ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxiv general principles of.htm

This is the Chief Passage which those who were Sent from the East ...
... whose mind is equally free from envy and favour and prejudice may say that the point
is of little value either for edification or for the combating of heresy ...
/.../18 this is the chief.htm

The Early History of Particular Churches.
... Lupus, Bishop of Troyes, were sent over to Britain to assist in combating the errors
of Pelagius, the neighbour Churches of England and France maintaining ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter vii the early history.htm

Evolution in General
... Supplementing the contributions of these authorities, verifying, criticizing, combating,
rebutting, there works a multitude of others who have devoted their ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/i evolution in general.htm

Editorial Note
... in which he moved, Christianity meant to many who professed it little more than
a subject for rivalry and argument among sects and for the combating of heresies ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/editorial note.htm

The Adventures of Saint Denis of France.
... by his squire, Le Crapeau, wandered away through many lands, slaying many hideous
monsters, terrible wild beasts, and frightful giants, combating in many ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter five the adventures of.htm

The Adventures of Saint Anthony of Italy.
... At length Asia's ancient shores were reached, and travelling on, performing every
day unheard-of wonders, combating with terrible monsters, and destroying wild ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter seven the adventures of.htm

The Moods of Mr. George Moore
... the weakness which has rendered barren the many brilliancies of Mr. Moore is actually
that weakness which the Roman Catholic Church is at its best in combating ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/ix the moods of mr.htm

The Faults Committed in this Degree --Distractions, Temptations ...
... In distractions or temptations, instead of combating them directly, which would
only serve to augment them, and to wean us from God, with whom alone we ought ...
/.../chapter xiv the faults committed.htm

Combating (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Combating (3 Occurrences). Colossians 1:29 Whereunto also
I toil, combating according to his working, which works in me in power. ...
/c/combating.htm - 7k

Natures (12 Occurrences)
... and an ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating
the indulgence of our lower natures. (WEY). Titus 3:5 as ...
/n/natures.htm - 10k

Toil (66 Occurrences)
... of Life. (WEY). Colossians 1:29 Whereunto also I toil, combating according
to his working, which works in me in power. (DBY RSV). 1 ...
/t/toil.htm - 25k

Restraining (9 Occurrences)
... ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating the
indulgence of our lower natures. (See NIV). 2 Thessalonians ...
/r/restraining.htm - 9k

Exists (18 Occurrences)
... and an ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating
the indulgence of our lower natures. (WEY). 1 Timothy 1 ...
/e/exists.htm - 11k

Combated (1 Occurrence)

/c/combated.htm - 6k

Combats (1 Occurrence)

/c/combats.htm - 6k

Ascetic (1 Occurrence)
... of humility and an ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value
in combating the indulgence of our lower natures. (WEY). ...
/a/ascetic.htm - 7k

Reign (468 Occurrences)
... sin, at once testifies to the power of sin and its inherent corruption, while grace
is the restoring spiritual factor following up and combating everywhere and ...
/r/reign.htm - 42k

Rules (160 Occurrences)
... and an ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating
the indulgence of our lower natures. (WEY). 1 Timothy 3 ...
/r/rules.htm - 35k

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Combating: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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