The Apostle Peter said that believers should not be surprised when fiery trials come upon them to test them (1 Peter 4:12). Peter associated these fiery trials with Christ’s sufferings and said that we should rejoice because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us (1 Peter 4:14). Peter went on to explain that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). This suggests that the purpose of fiery trials is to change our attitude about our need for God’s help. Peter instructed believers to:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1 Peter 5:6-9)

Peter’s description of the devil as “your adversary” (1 Peter 5:8) implies that there is a personal struggle going on that must be dealt with on an individual basis. Peter indicated that the way we are to deal with the struggle is to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and to cast all our anxieties on him. Anxieties are things that distract us from doing what we need to in the moment (G3308). God wants our attention to be completely focused on him and our minds firmly fixed on the source of our faith, the truth of the Bible (1 Peter 5:9).

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul told his spiritual protege to, “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). Paul’s statement made it clear that faith was not something that Timothy could easily acquire or keep indefinitely. Believers have to continually examine their belief system to make sure that it is in agreement with Scripture and exercise their faith in order to benefit from it. There would likely be times when Timothy would have to stand alone in believing the truth and move forward in spite of resistance from others.  

Paul talked about his spiritual struggle in the last conversation he had with the Ephesian Elders. Paul told them, “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and affliction await me” (Acts 20:22-23). Paul said that he was constrained by the Spirit. Paul’s faith compelled him to do what God wanted him to do even though he knew it would lead to more suffering on his part. Paul told the Ephesians, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Paul’s struggle got even worse after he arrived in Jerusalem. While he was staying with Philip the evangelist, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea and “took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles”’” (Acts 21:11). When the people who were with Paul heard this they urged him not to go up to Jerusalem (Acts 21:12). In spite of their attempts to change his mind, Paul told them, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).

Paul’s friends thought they were doing him a favor by trying to talk him out of going to Jerusalem, but they were only making it more difficult for him to do what he needed to do to fulfill his ministry. Luke’s account of the incident reveals to us that God’s will can easily be misinterpreted and therefore, it is up to each individual to be fully convinced of the truth in his own mind and to act accordingly (Romans 14:5).

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul confirmed the completion of his mission. Paul told Timothy:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Paul said that he had kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). The Greek word that is translated kept, tereo (tay-rehˊ-o) means “to guard” in the sense of “preserving something” (G5083). Paul’s faith was not diminished by the trials he experienced or the challenges he had to overcome during his ministry.

Paul told Timothy there was a reward for fighting the good fight. Paul said that as a result of keeping his faith, there was laid up for him the crown of righteousness, which would be awarded to him on the day of judgment by Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 4:7-8). The crown of righteousness has to do with being right with God, which is the result of justification. A person is justified by faith when he or she receives Christ as his or her personal Savior. Once justification takes place, a person cannot lose their salvation, but our adversary, the devil would like us to think that we can. Peter warned believers to be careful and watch out for the devil if they want to keep their faith and receive the crown of righteousness. Peter said, “Resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).