Righteous Warfare

   A list of names and deeds begins in 2 Samuel 23:8 with these words, “These are the names of the mighty men whom David had…” As I read this list and the exploits of these men, I longed to be named among them. The romanticized ideas of a time long gone, when men defended their faith with sword and shield, with spear and buckler. When one could stand flat-footed on the field of battle confident that the Lord would bring about a great victory by your hand alone, and those that came after you would only be there to strip the slain. God was glorified in battle.

That was another age. The Holy Spirit now tells us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). The face of the enemy has changed, and the battle field has changed (Eph. 4:22-23; Rom. 12:2). This puts things into perspective when Christ said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). Some of the fiercest battles are waged in the mind, and we deal with temptations and issues that come from putting off the old man—issues that can destroy both body and soul.

In my youthful desire to be a mighty man of valor, I knew nothing of the wars that people wage in their own minds. I knew nothing of the strength it took to draw a line in the sand with the tip of the sword of the Spirit and shout out to the temptations of sin, addictions and darkness, “This far and no more!” The courage it takes to stand up and say, “I need help, my strength is fading.” In that moment, your fellow brothers and sisters at arms rally around you and pull you from the encroaching darkness. Remember this, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:31, 37). We all have battles, and we are all warriors. So, arm yourselves as for war and fight (Eph. 6:10-18)! Fight for all you hold dear: for sons, daughters, spouses, friends, family and your own soul.

A list of names and deeds is found in heaven that, perhaps, begins with these words, “These are the names of the mighty servants whom God has…” Keep fighting, “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 Tim. 6:12). So when the end comes you can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). God is glorified in your righteous warfare, don’t give up!            ~Josh Blackmer