June 7 Bible Reading Plan

I fight so you don’t have to fight.

-Rocky IV

One of the most popular movies ever made for men is Rocky IV. When I talk about Rocky with other men, 75% say Rocky IV is their favorite Rocky movie. (My favorite is Rocky III, But Rocky IV is a close second!)

It is capitalism vs. communism, David vs. Goliath, good vs. evil. It is one of the best fights in movie history. IT IS EPIC!

But before all the fights, blood, death, and victory, there is a line that I love. Rocky is washing his beloved sports car, and his son asks him when he can learn to fight.

Rocky stops what he's doing, looks at his son, and says, "I fight, so you don't have to fight.  I want you to use your head for something other than a punching bag like I do." (1)

Rocky fights to provide a better life for his son, a path to a better future. He wants his son to be able to learn and do whatever he wants to do. He doesn't want him to face the same beatings and defeats he faced. He doesn't want his son to get knocked out. He wants him to thrive in life.

This is an attitude that all unbreakable men of God need to adopt in their lives. We need to be willing to fight spiritual battles and gain victory so that the next generation doesn't have to face the same battles.

We fight and defeat addiction so it doesn't go another generation.

We win the fight against porn so the next generation doesn't get trapped.

We defeat our anger issues so the next generation doesn't wrestle with the same anger.

Whatever the struggle, an unbreakable man fights to gain freedom and victory, not just for his own spiritual blessing, but to clear the battlefield for the next generation.

Exodus 20:5-6 says it clearly:

I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:5-6, ESV)

God blesses the descendants of a righteous man for a thousand generations when he defeats his enemies and gains victory. Like Rocky, we don't just fight for ourselves. We fight so the next generation doesn't have to fight.

Are you doing everything you can to gain victory, or do you keep playing around with pet sins?

Do you want your children and grandchildren to struggle like you?

Will you do what is necessary to gain victory so they don't have to?

This is the heart of an unbreakable man. Get in the fight!

The powerful messages from the movie Rocky IV and Exodus 20:5-6 highlight the critical importance of fighting our battles to secure a better future for the next generation.

We must strive to overcome our own struggles, not just for our benefit but also to pave a victorious path for those who come after us. It is a call to action for all of us to take responsibility for our actions and strive to lead by example, creating a legacy of strength, resilience, and victory for future generations.

As an unbreakable man, commit to fighting for a better tomorrow.

Bibliography:

1. Rocky IV. Directed by Sylvester Stallone , performances by Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire , MGM/UA Entertainment Co., 1985.