Spiritual Warfare - 12

Are you a soldier in the army of the Lord of Hosts? 

In olden times among the Israelites, males who were twenty years and above were eligible to go to war. Similarly, one has to be a mature, strong disciple of the Lord JESUS to understand spiritual warfare.

Just as men fought for their women and children, disciples need to fight for weaker and younger Christians by interceding for them and instructing them.

A soldier is willing to die for the cause of his nation or kingdom. It is so with a disciple. For the Lord JESUS said that one needs to deny himself and take up his cross and follow Him. We have to lay down our own will, motives, plans, careers, aims, hobbies and ambitions and yield ourselves to be used by Him for the cause of the gospel and kingdom of His love. This is a personal decision each soldier needs to make.

A fearful soldier cannot fight in the army. When Gideon chose his army, he was asked by God to send away all those who were fearful.

A soldier needs to be always alert to opportunities of progress and to the attacks of the enemy. Therefore he should not get entangled or preoccupied with the affairs of this world.

The soldier should understand his place in the structure of authority. He should submit to those above him and be able to effectively exercise rightful authority.

The soldier needs to be protected with the whole armor of God.

Helmet – Salvation

  Breastplate – Righteousness

    Girdle – Truth

      Shoes – Gospel of Peace

        Sword – Word of God

          Shield – Faith

Interestingly, every piece of the Christian soldier’s armor represents Christ. This means that the soldier is protected, when he lives in obedience to Christ, for then, he is ‘IN CHRIST.’

 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 (NKJV)


A volunteer for Jesus, a soldier true,
           Many have enlisted, so why don’t you?
                      Jesus is our Captain, so we shall never fear,
                                So come and be enlisted as a volunteer!

JESUS is our Captain

 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”  So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”  Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.   Joshua 5:13-15 (NKJV)


Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”  And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.   Revelation 19:11-21 (NKJV)

JESUS plans the strategy to counteract the enemy. We listen to our Commander-in-Chief and obey Him.

 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,  and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.   2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (NKJV)