When you think of war, you think of conflict, turmoil, difficulties, pains, heartbreak, chaos, and sorrows. It is also true of this spiritual warfare that we face as Christians. The battleground plays out inside our minds and hearts with the attacks coming from every side leaving us worn, weary, and heart broken at times searching for clarity of direction. Sometimes it feels we are unable to take another step in the darkness while seeking even the smallest flicker of light to tell us which direction to go. At times, there are landmines along the path and we must sit still until directed to move. Sitting quietly still is sometimes the hardest order for a soldier to perform; because by nature we want to move or attack in some way. It is hard to sit still while God prepares the path before us, clearing mountains and building bridges so that we may advance. So, impatiently we often run ahead of God and plunge deep into the rushing waters of the raven because the bridge is not completed yet or we struggle, fall and are injured while we are trying to clear the mountains with our little pic and shovel. Still, in this spiritual war that we have entered; we are promised the victory in Christ. The battle at times may seem long; but, we know that Christ already won our victory with His death and resurrection. So, if the war is won; why are we still fighting? We need to rescue those imprisoned by Satan’s lies. We must be marching into enemy territory on our rescue mission. There are many storms and dangers along this path; but because of Christ we have our armor and the weapons we need to march into this battlefield.
In our last section of this series, we looked at our Defensive Armor in this Spiritual Battle which are our Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Gospel of Peace Foot gear, Shield of Faith, and our Helmet of Salvation. We have proclaimed that our battle cry is, "Because of Christ’s shed blood at the cross for my sins by faith in Him, I am redeemed (risen), blessed, beloved, chosen, child of the King-heir of royalty, Prisoner of His Love, servant because of overwhelming gratitude, enlightened by His light, New Creation, and Faith filled Saint." We also need weapons to march into this battle. God has provided us with two and you will see that both are engaged by the Holy Spirit’s power within us. Ephesians 6:17-18 "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" In fact, if we look back to the wilderness where Christ was tempted by Satan, Christ also used these two weapons to battle Satan. (Matthew 4)
Weapon #1: Sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are given the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is He who reminds us of the gospel, confirming to us our positions in Christ. He enlightens us as to the truth of the gospel. The Holy Spirit helps us in the understanding of scripture and also helps us to recall whatever scripture we need in the center of battle. John 14: 26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 15: 26 tells us that “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” The entire Bible is a picture of Christ and that too becomes very significant here. The sword is sharp because of Jesus Christ. Look again at John 1: " 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God which is Jesus Christ, crucified, buried and risen who has forever proclaimed the Victory for the army of the living God. He is the mighty Sword which we are given and the Holy Spirit within us keeps it ever sharpened and ready for action.
Weapon #2: Prayer “18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Jesus Christ separated Himself in prayer with the Father. He taught us that we are to pray to our Heavenly Father to let our requests be made known, to just talk with Him so He can tell us His plans. Would a soldier ever go to battle without first getting His orders from His commanding officer? Then why would we? He whispers His comforting words and He guides each step. Have you talked to Him today? Prayer is one of our greatest privileges that we should jump at the chance. I find myself talking to Him intermittently throughout the day as though a dear friend is shadowing me all day. He is right there beside me. It is amazing how He shows little glimpses of His mercy throughout the day if you are watching and listening. He warns us at times when danger approaches so that we might be ready. Even in those moments when we do not know what to ask or what to pray the Holy Spirit is there to make intercession for us. Romans 8: "26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Prayer connects us to the Power of God which surges through us to wield the sword.
These two weapons are used simultaneously. As we pray we are reminded by the Holy Spirit of the "word of God", all the promises that are given to us. We then stand able to answer any attack through the knowledge of these promises, through the enlightened knowledge of who God is, and to the affirmation of who we are in Christ.
So my dear Soldiers of Christ, are you ready for battle today? Our mission is to go into the battlefield to win souls. That battlefield is not only the mission field where some are called to battle; but, sometimes it is your own neighbors, your friends, your family, or your workplace. That battlefield is anywhere that there are people who have not heard the gospel of Christ. That battlefield is to bring anyone who has not come to the saving knowledge of Christ to a place where they may see and desire to know God—seeking Him as their greatest treasure. Still, we are to speak when He says speak and remain silent when He bids silence. We are to win others through our walk of faith.
I wrote this poem and included it in my book, A Broken and Contrite Heart. I hope it helps you to remember to put on your armor every day and then pick up your weapons to be ready for whatever comes your way today.
Little Soldier
Little Soldier are you ready?
The battle cry is here
Little Soldier are you wearing
Your God given gear
Did you put on your helmet?
Remembering what He’s done
He provided your salvation
When He gave His only Son
Did you strap on your breastplate?
Is your passion now on Him?
To follow in His footsteps
And shun all willful sin
Did you strap on the waist band?
Holding tight to all God said
And never compromising
So by His truth you’re lead
Did you cover yourself completely
By the shield of faith in God
This Sovereign, Omniscient, Shepherd
Protected by His rod.
So where are we going
To spread the gospel song?
Feet now shod with love and peace
We walk as we belong
So say a prayer, and off we go
To far and distant lands
To spread His gospel to a world
Is all that He commands
Pick up your sword
God’s very Word
Made flesh for you and me
Your hope on Him Assured
Let me encourage any of you who have missed any part of this series to scroll down and read the earlier part of this series. If linking in through an archived link; then go to www.myglorytoglory.com and there you can scroll down. My prayer is that it changes your life as much as studying and writing it has mine. God is so amazing and His Grace is beyond measure. I stand amazed each day at the grace and mercy He has shown to me throughout the years of my life. He is my greatest treasure and I will battle here on earth to hold tight to the joy I have in Him though the tempest may surround me. I will stand victoriously upon His past grace that saved me, His present grace that sustains me, and His future grace that will carry me through battle until one day I stand before Him as He proclaims, "Well done my good and faithful Child".