If you have ever been around when the words “Put up your dukes” were uttered, did a fight ensue shortly thereafter? It may have come from a school yard bully, someone that had ingested a bit too much liquid courage, or an adversary ready to pounce. Whatever the case, it is likely fists were about to fly. There is always an adversary ready to pounce. Remember to put up your dukes!

The origin of the term put up your dukes is a little fuzzy but its current day meaning is pretty clear. Put up your dukes refers to preparing for a fight. I am confident when we are in a posture of readiness before a fight we do our best.

Our modern world poses all types of possible battles. Violence and fighting takes place indiscriminately almost everywhere.  While it is probably prudent to have a strategy for hand-to-hand combat it is definitely wise to be prepared for a more disguised type of pugilism.

The Adversary

The battle that we will surely encounter is one with the adversary. An adversary is one who is on an opposing side. According to 1 Peter 5:8 the Devil is our adversary, who goes about like a “roaring lion…seeking whom he may devour”. Put up your dukes!

I am not sure if you have ever heard the roar of a lion. I have heard that roar in the confines of a public zoo. I have also heard it in the wild, on safari in South Africa. Once you have heard that roar you know why the lion is referred to as the “King of the Jungle”. The sound is about 25 times that of a gas-powered lawn mower and can be heard for about five miles. Its imposing roar is further magnified by its massive presence.

There are various reasons a lion may roar. Among the reasons is its ability to intimidate its prey. Such a deafening sound from this powerful creature surely would stop some prey motionless in their tracks. While the possibility of in sighting fear in the hearts of others nearby. In any case, our adversary is like this creature ”seeking whom he may devour”. Put up your dukes!

In the word the adversary has been likened to an intimidating creature with power. The creature uses his size and captures prey while instilling fear in those around. The creature has developed a reputation that he is the king of the area where he roams. He goes about seeking to plot against others. Put up your dukes.

However, God the Most High, the All Mighty has more power. In His Omnipotence He has told us about the adversary. He has also given us strategy to defeat the adversary.

The Professional Boxer

Here are three things that we can use as we engage in combat analogous to a professional boxer:

1. Use fight-specific training. Become familiar with the adversary’s fighting style and plan to counter it.
2. Protect ourselves from severe injuries. Use tools to buffer the impacts of the battle.
3. Partner with an effective coach. Use strategies that honor your strengths and mitigate your challenges.

Fight-Specific Training

Boxers study their adversary. They learn the customary fighting style of the won they plan to defeat. Boxers learn how the opponent may have been weak or defeated in the past. They study how to use those weaknesses to their advantage. They plan and train to use what they have learned. We have been told that the enemy is seeking whom he might devour. We have more information on his tactics as recorded in the Bible. Read the Bible. Put up your dukes.

Protection From Severe Injuries

The trained boxer tapes their hands and uses padded gloves. This process can take several hours to complete. The boxer does this to protect the hands. Without the taping and gloves the boxer is extremely vulnerable to broken bones in the hand. When we listen to God through relationship with Him He gives us tools to minimize our injury. He allows us to see the missing pieces we would otherwise miss.

Partner With an Effective Coach

The most accomplished professional boxers give credit to their coaches too. A skilled coach can help you to identify your strengths and engage them in battle. The effective coach is able to help you to minimize your challenges by using your inherent strengths. As we encounter people our mindset influences our behavior. With God’s direction we can slay giants.

Contact me at mapsandlanterns@gmail.com to get information about how effective coaching works to fight the adversary.

Take Inventory, Take Action, put up your dukes!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”