Final post of this chapter, this has been a longer process than I initially thought it would be. But on the other hand, I believe the Warrior is predominately what every man is, and spending the most time here isn't a bad thing. In the previous section John shares a story about a friend who became the head of his company, which has brought on intense battles. He then says this, "Which reminds us that a King had better be a Warrior first, or else he will fold under the assault, or lead his people into passivity". Men, we must be warriors.
This chapter ends with a section titled, "Some Counsel from the Battlefield", and I feel like this is crucial information for all of us to keep in mind as we journey.
One Battle at a Time
"The enemy's first plan is to keep a man out of the battle altogether - through fear, or self-doubt, through bad theology or ignorance, through his wounds, or through the passivity we inherited from Adam. If that doesn't work (and it's worked with many a man), and a man rises up to be a Warrior, the enemy switches to dog pile. Bury you in battles. What he'll do is try to lure you into battles that aren't yours to fight. Be careful here - you don't want to take on every battle that comes your way... don't let yourself be lured into battles that aren't yours to fight, no matter how urgent they might seem... Ask Jesus, Do you want me to fight this? Get your orders from your King."
There are so many battles out there. There is so much corruption and injustice. It's too much for any one man to take down alone. We each have different gifts and passions, we have unique skills. We have to learn to pick our battles, and fight the enemy in front of us. The phalanx only works if each man does his part, and trusts his brothers to do theirs. If we try to take on everything, we'll fail, beat ourselves up, and be ineffective at everything. But if we get guidance and instruction from God, we'll see the battles He wants to use us for, and we'll be able to fight fully effective.
Fight Your Battles Once
"Don't fight your battles twice - once in worry and anticipation, and the second time when you actually enter into the event itself. Cross that bridge when you come to it, as the saying goes. This will require strength and resolve, resisting speculation, and it will strengthen the Warrior in you. It's another way of learning not to yield your heart - in this case, to worry and fretting."
When I first started wrestling, I got so nervous before matches. I couldn't sit down, couldn't do anything but think about it. It made me dread matches. But then something happened towards the end of my career, I stopped carrying about winning, and just focused on wrestling. Matches where fun, and I scored a ton of points. I actually looked forward to competition. It's easy to work ourselves up over something, but in the end it hurts our ability to combat it. We spend so much energy in anticipation that we go into battle drained and exhausted.
During any Important Event, Assume it's Warfare
"Treat it as such. And by 'important event,' I mean anything redemptive - a mission, or course, but also a source of joy like an anniversary. The enemy is out to steal your joy more than anything else."
I'm seeing this one right now. This morning on my walk with the dog I went to battle. Commanded Satan to flee and thanked God for the blessing my wife and I are receiving. Satan is after our joy all the time, and he'll twist something anyway he can to try and rob us of it. Don't let him steel the full enjoyment of God's blessings from you.
Resist it Quickly
"Don't let things get a foothold. However tired you may be, however distracted or inconvenient the moment, now is the time to fight...'for the enemy is then more easily overcome, if he is not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but is resisted at the first knock.' Don't kid yourself, saying, 'I'll deal with this later.'... When you pray, or resist, or act decisively in the moments you least want to, the Warrior in you is strengthened. Next time you'll be even stronger."
The enemy attacks when he feels our guard is lowered, so keep it up. As soon as you feel the attack, drop into a fighting stance and defend yourself. Don't allow him to get inside your guard, and definitely don't allow him to come into camp and make himself at home by the fire. As soon as you feel the attack fight back. The enemy is a coward and usually won't stay long in a battle he's sure not to win. So strike quickly and push him back.
You won't Feel Like a Warrior
In the midst of battle, you will often feel confused, disoriented, perhaps overwhelmed, troubled with self-doubt. You will certainly feel the spirits that are present, and they will try to make you believe it's you that is angry, or prideful, or whatever assaults you. Set your face like a flint. It will clear, eventually, and you will again feel the presence of God and who you truly are. In the midst of it, war is chaos."
Yeah, I feel that way, a lot. And that's how the enemy wants us to feel, like we're all alone, and in over our heads. But this is where we must remember first and foremost, that we are Beloved Sons of the Father who has commanded and promised "Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." War is chaotic, and so it is crucial that we know our identity before we get into it.
Stay with it
"It takes more than a single skirmish to win a battle, and a hate-filled enemy usually will not yield at a single swing from us. Keep at it. The enemy is testing your resolve. Show him that no matter how long it takes, you fully intend to win."
In the Warrior's code, there's no surrender. We stand our ground and come back with our shields, or on them. Victory or death are the only two choices. And we are well trained Warriors fighting on the side that cannot lose. Don't give up my brothers, persevere to victory.
It Will Make You Holy
"First, that holiness is your best weapon. Spiritual warfare will make you holy. Trust me...The battle we find ourselves in gives a whole new purpose to holiness. The call is not to 'be a moral man because it's decent.' The call is to 'become a holy man and a Warrior, for you are needed in the battle, and if you don not become that man, you will be taken out.'"
That's the goal, holiness, Christlikeness. We are told in the Romans 5.1-5 and in James 1.2-4, that trials and hardships are there to mold us into the image of Christ. Romans 8 tells us that all things work for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose (verse 28). In the following verses (29-30) we see that this purpose is for us to become like Christ and to be glorified with Christ. The only way for this to happen is through trial and hardship. Christ endured, and overcame them, and so must we. He is there with us to help us, and the more we endure, the more like Him we become.
"The recovery of the Warrior is absolutely crucial to the recovery of a man. All else rests on this, for you will have to fight, my brothers, for everything you desire and everything you hold dear in this world. Despite what you feel, or what you may have been told, you have a Warrior's heart, because you bear the image of God. And he will train you to become a great Warrior, if you'll let him."
Men, we are Warriors, and we are needed in battle, now more than ever. Take up your shield, stand beside me in the phalanx, and let's take back ground for the Kingdom. Let the Warrior's rise.
"Father, you are a great Warrior, and I am made in your image. I am your son, and a warrior too. Open my eyes to see how you have been developing the Warrior in me."
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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