1 Cor 9:26b

1 Cor 9:26b I do not fight like a man beating the air (I box in such a way as not beating the air [NASB], without an adversary [amp])

Why would you beat the air? You know that the enemy is around, but you don’t know where or who he is. I see this as two things.

1)Christians that aren’t really Christian. I would go as far as those who don’t devote themselves to the word. It’s the war plan. It gives you the enemies (Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.) It gives you the battle plan against them and the flesh too (the scriptures [bible is sharper than a double edge sword Heb 4:12] and how to defeat them (Jesus’ fight against temptation IN WHICH HE USES THE WORD TO BATTLE THE DEVIL; by straining towards the goal Phil 3:13, etc).

2)Devoted Christians lacking focus. Lazy Christians (see, I told you Daniel that laziness is no good..) When you don’t pay attention, when you don’t put in the effort to move towards the enemy to punch him, you’ll miss. (illustration: sitting on the chair, too lazy to get up and trying to punch the guy a step away from you. You swing and its a miss! you’re out!!!….ooo a baseball analogy to. If you don’t focus on the ball coming, you’ll miss your chance.)

I am devoted, but I see a lack of focus and laziness in my life. Am I fighting the enemy or am I letting him just attack me from a distance? Focus on the Lord. Fix your eyes on Him (Heb 12:2), not the momentary troubles (2 cor 4:17), or selfish ambitions (Phil 2:3). Laziness can lead to falling away (Heb 6) and it seems that procrastinating is disobedience until done.

Heb 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Application: Focus on the Lord. Don’t be lazy. How are you going to do it?