SPIRITUAL WARRIORS

What is a warrior? Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) defines a warrior as “someone engaged in or experienced in warfare.”  When we think of warriors, we think of one who is more than just a soldier.  This is one who fearlessly confronts his enemies and fights valiantly, even willing to die for the cause.  Usually, warriors are leaders that inspire others who are around them.

As Christians, we are expected to be a peaceful people.  Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).  While this does not mean that our lives will be absent of conflict, we are to strive (to put forth effort) to achieve peace.  The gospel is referred to as the “gospel of peace” (Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15) meaning that it will bring peace to those who follow after it.  The point of these passages and many others instruct us as Christians to not be a physically confrontational people.  Instead we are to be examples so that, “they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16) and we will “shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15).  Understand that this is not saying we have no right to defend ourselves from attackers or to take advantage of the laws of the land to protect us.  It simply means that physically, we are not to be troublemakers or looking to physically pick fights with others.   Paul said, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).

Yet in spite of this disposition, one of the frequent descriptions of the Christians is that of a soldier.  2 Timothy 2:3 says, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”  Earlier, he had told Timothy “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18).  Truly we are in battle, but it is not a physical battle with guns and swords.  Rather it is a spiritual battle against Satan and his forces.  Paul in Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”.  To the Corinthians he wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  The war we are engaged in is an attempt to defeat the devil and evil as it plagues this world.  It’s a war for the mind and for the soul that will live eternally.  Our goal is not destroy some territory or even people, but to win over those who serve the enemy and bring them to our side.  Our weapon is God’s word, the “gospel of peace”.  Paul described it as “the sword of the spirit” (Ephesians 6:17).  Concerning the power of this “weapon”, the Hebrew writer wrote, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).  Our primary method of attack is teaching.  We go to a lost and dying world and we present the hope of the gospel to the lost.  Every soul we win is a victory for God.

But how much effort are we putting into this spiritual war that we are engaged in? This is where the “spiritual warrior” comes in.  We ought to strive to be valiant soldiers for Christ.  We need to be warriors.  We need to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17) and diligently go out and engage the enemy.  We want to do more than just “defend” our building and our beliefs.  We need to fearlessly go to the front lines where the battle is the thickest and fight for God and His kingdom.  We want to win souls to His cause.  We want to lead and encourage others to the best of our ability.  That’s what being a “spiritual warrior” is about.

Being a warrior takes courage.  We cannot be afraid as we engage in this battle.  Jesus taught, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).  Paul told the Corinthians, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).  When does it takes the most courage to stand up for what is right?  When you are in the midst of the enemy.  It’s easy to say what is right when you are among friends and brethren who agree with you.  But that doesn’t win souls.  Christians have to take risks as they realize that souls are at stake.  John said that “the cowardly… shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone” (Revelation 21:8).  The warrior bravely fights in battle.

Being a warrior takes dedication.  Concerning soldiering, Paul rightly observed, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:3-4)  Being a soldier means that your first priority is to serve your country.  In our country, even the reserves realize this as they are expected to leave everything when they are called upon to serve.  As soldiers of Christ are we willing to give Him the dedication He deserves and demands?  Would you put aside your physical pursuits if you were needed in a spiritual battle somewhere? Are you willing to do more than just stay home and defend the fortress? The warrior will! While the fortress needs defending, that will not cause the church to grow as it ought to.

Being a warrior takes experience.  What makes one a valiant warrior and one who inspires others is the fact that he is skilled and he demonstrates competence.  Others see this and they willingly follow his example.  Skill and competence are not learned overnight, they come from continued study and trial and error.  If we want to be successful in our spiritual battles, we need experience too.  First we need to know God’s word.  It is able to make us complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and with diligence we can use it wisely (2 Timothy 2:15).  Then we need to use it.  A sword in its sheath is useless.  The more you use it and work with it, the more success you will have with it.  As we engage “the enemy” with God’s word, at first it will seem awkward and we will make mistakes.  We might even lose battles that we are engaged in.  But the more we use it, the more experienced we will become and we will see more and more success.  This will in turn inspire others to engage in the battle along with you.

Truly we ought to strive to become “spiritual warriors”.  We need to go on the offensive and valiantly further the borders of Christ.  Are you engaged in battle for the cause of Christ?

TATJR