Throwing in the Towel

Throwing in the towel derives from the sport of boxing, where the towel used by seconds (managers, trainers or medics) to wipe sweat from their man between rounds was literally thrown into the ring to concede defeat. Before towels came sponges and in the earlier sport of prizefighting a boxer's corner would indicate a concession by 'throwing up the sponge'.


Remember Rocky IV; Drago (the big Russian) throws a crippling right hand that sends Apollo reeling. Drago remorselessly batters Apollo with a series of devastating punches, leaving him bloodied and battered at the end of the round. Rocky pleads with him to quit the fight, but Apollo refuses to give up, despite the punishment he's taken. The match ends in tragedy in the second round as Drago brutally smashes the very life out of Creed. Duke (Apollos' manager) begs Rocky (also in Apollos' corner) to throw in the towel, but Apollo refuses to let him, pridefully diving back into combat. The big Russian is momentarily stunned, but he starts launching blow after blow. Rocky seeing what is to come, cocks his arm to throw in the towel, but to late. Following one final hard punch, Creed drops lifelessly to the canvas.

1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

The wounds of real life can be far more painful than than any movie. They don't go away by the next scene. And though the actor may die in the film, some how he is fine for the next production. Emotional wounds leave scars that can be painful for a lifetime. Those wounds can leave a person insecure and fearful to move on to the sequel, "My Life II, Life in the Spirit".

It seems that when one becomes born again, all the past becomes so distant, and the present life is so free and burden less by comparison that one can easily understand what being free from the burden of sin is. In this new life we continue on and grow in wisdom and truth. We seek the truth and fullness of God's word and ask for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and God is faithful. More growth, more wisdom, a little maturity and we feel ready to do battle. We didn't know that the opponent was vicious, mean and wants to kill us.

We get in to the ring (Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.) and take a pounding (Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:), hoping that we can make it to the first bell (God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.). We are shaken and unsure, we thought that we were ready for a fight, but here we are, end of round one and already cut and bleeding. It hurts. The towel is right there, all that we have to do is throw in the towel and the fight is over. We have two kinds of people in our corner, both love us. One, the earthly, say, you have done enough, look what this religion has got you, I love God to, He doesn't want you upset, let it go, this fight is meaningless (though they have never fought or know what victory means). The second in your corner is a Godly fighter themselves, they know firsthand the temptation to say, I quit. They, themselves have been battered in the spiritual warfare in this life. They understand that life itself is less important than the victory. They have compassion, and feel your pain, but they hold fast to the promise of victory (If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believes.).

You get a breather, you feel somewhat better (they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.). Your opponent looks even larger than when you first started, and not even tired (Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he hath but a short time.). You eye the towel, a sign of defeat a sign of quiting. The bell for round two sounds. It's not a slow start like round one, your opponent is in your face, right now. He is taunting you, trying to psych you out, rob you of any strength you have. You didn't even phase him in round one, didn't lay a glove on him. He goes for your head, going for a knock out (I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.). You let your guard down, bam, a right to the jaw, the enemy wasted no time in exploiting your mistake (If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.), your head is spinning (God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.). You think to yourself thank God for a head like iron (helmet of salvation). Pow, a left jab to the nose, this punch has put down many as it draws blood, many pull back at the sight of their own blood (I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,). From within comes a voice, you have set your face like flint, no permanent damage. The enemy sees that your head is a hardened target, better go for the body. The bell.

The towel is used to wipe your face. It now turns red with blood and sweat, it looks bad, but keep if close, it may save me from pain (the flesh has spoken).You are thankful for all your training (faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, you are prepared, feet shod, girded with truth). From your corner, a little drink (Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.) and washing the sweat and blood from your face (Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word). You begin to feel and look normal, a few deep breaths and think, this is do able(The Lord will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him because he trusts in Him.). Round three bell. Your enemy now circles, jabbing, probing looking for your weakness. Because you fared well, so far, your guard is down (shield of faith), repeated blows to the body happen so fast you don't even have time to react. You real from the onslaught, you can't breath, very real pain (For from now there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, rejected in your own church). Out of nowhere, a round house to the eyes, your stunned, a quick head butt by the enemy, who never fights fair, and knows just how dirty he can fight (he was a liar and murderer from the beginning). You wonder why did this happen to me, why didn't the ref stop him, does some one have that towel ready to throw, I don't know how much more I can take. Ah, but the ref did see and stops the fight to give a warning, if that happens again the fight is over I will award the fight, play by the rules (For with stammering lips and another tongue will God speak to this people.This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing). Its just the comfort you need. The ref comes to you and asks, are you alright ?, go to your corner and have your (heavenly) trainer check your eyes (Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, I have been here before you I do see clearly). Now you can clearly see. Resume the fight, you say to yourself, don't drop that guard ever again (shield of faith). A few more blows blocked and the bell sounds.


You think though your errors (There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end are the ways of death.), because of the foul of the enemy, and the additional timeout you actually feel quite refreshed (We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.). A little more water and a quick wash (Lord forgive me for not having faith). Your managers says you have been taking a beating, keep your guard up and your now over-confident opponent is ripe for attack, go on the offence. You say within your self, All things are possible to them that believe ( If I live after the flesh, I shall die: but if I through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, I shall live. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.). A quick check, I'm okay, nothing broken (We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.), I took his best shot (Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.). Alright (your up on you feet now), lets do this, I'm going to finish this fight (And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.). A final word to your corner before the bell, DO NOT THROW IN THE TOWEL (Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.). Your earthly corner says, you'll never make it, this guy will kill you, throw in the towel, come back to me, all will be the same. Your heavenly corner says, A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come to you, know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil, for such a time as this you are come to the kingdom.

The bell sounds, round four, the enemy is down at your first blow ,"What has darkness to do with light, the Lord rebuke you". You realize, I was not warring with flesh and blood, my real fight was within myself. The Spirit of God vs unbelief, doubt and fear with my mind. The voice I listen to is the one that wins. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Mark 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. If I had thrown in the towel I would have been giving into a lack of faith; Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comesto God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Ephesians 6
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

L,J,P&HG
Dave