Warrior, Athlete

"Jehovah is a man of war" (Ex 15:3)
"The LORD will go forth like a mighty man... He shall prevail against His enemies" (Is 42:13)
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph 6:11)
"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds" (2Cor 10:4)
"In a race, all the runners run, but only one gets the prize.... Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1Cor 9:24)
"Every athlete exercises self-control.... They do it for a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable" (1Cor 9:25)
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race; I have kept the faith" (2Tim 4:7)

God uses the imagery of war and athletics to help us know Him, ally ourselves with Him and rely on His strength to contend for His kingdom. When we study it, we get a better perspective on our daily struggles, a vision of what victory entails and practical ways of achieving that victory.

God has enemies. God is the sovereign and benevolent King, whose will for men-- patterned after His own nature-- is love (Mt 22:37-40, 1Jn 4:7-8). But He has granted His creatures a measure of free will to oppose His laws, His plan and His nature (e.g. Isa 14:12-23). In the process, they become His enemies (Is 42:13, Rom 8:7, Jam 4:1-4). In fact, enmity with God is the natural state of every man because man naturally exercises his will according to his own desires and not God's will (Eph 2:1-5, Col 1:21). Is it hopeless, then? Are we created for Hell? Is there a way to overcome that enmity?

Praise God, there is hope! Here in this age of grace and time, He loves even His enemies (Mt 5:43-48) and provides them a path of reconciliation through Jesus' sacrifice (2Co 5:18-21). Of course, this path is only open for the present, temporal age of grace (Heb 3:7-19, 2Cor 6:2)... not for the spiritual and eternal realm, in which God actively wages war on His enemies, and He overwhelmingly triumphs over them forever (Rev 20:7-15, Dt 32:39-43, Rev 11:15-18, 12:7-9, 20:1-3).

Although He is omnipotent and can easily defeat all opposition without assistance, He has chosen to be “the LORD of hosts”-- the commander of a vast army that includes his obedient angels and His believing, obedient people (Josh 5:13-15, 1Sam 17:45, 1Ti 2:3-4, Rev 19:19-21). He mentions "weapons" and "armor" in this war (e.g. Dt 32:41-42, Ps 7:11-13, 45:3-6), either as aspects of His personality that oppose sin (Is 59:16-18, Heb 4:12) or as human agents that expose or punish sin (Ps 7:11-13, Is 10:5, 49:1-2, Jer 51:20-23, Rom 13:1-4). He helps His servants to war effectively, giving them His strength and spiritual weapons (2Sa 22:30-51, 2Chr 32:7-8, Ps 18:2-3, Ps 144:1, 2Cor 10:3-6, Eph 6:11-17).

Who is the adversary, and what is the contest? In our world of sin and finite resources, it is easy to dissipate our resources on the wrong battles (ask anyone with an adolescent child!). So what is "the real thing"? Are we competing with other people for limited physical resources (like tribes warring over a well in Gen 26:19-21), limited places of dominance (like Jesus' disciples in Mk 10:37-41), limited spiritual resources (like Jacob vying with Esau for Isaac's blessing in Gen 27:32-37), limited access to heaven (like job applicants vying for limited openings)? No! God's resources are infinite, and He has not pitted man against man to struggle for them! He made heaven, earth, and man (Is 42:5-6, Ps 8:3), and He owns all their resources (Ps 24:1-2, Is 66:1, Jn 14:2); He gives eternal life and every good gift out of His infinite riches in Christ-- in fact, He is pleased to give them to whomever will believe and ask (Lk 12:32, Jn 3:16, 5:24-26, Php 4:19, Ja 4:2-3). And He is never inattentive or incapable of responding to their faith and prayer (1Ki 18:27, Ps 121:4, Is 59:1). Certainly, then, we are not struggling with other men to get "our share" of limited resources.

Neither are we struggling with humans or governments to force them into conformity with God's will (Mt 5:5-12, Rom 12:18-21, Jn 18:36). Nor are we struggling with Herculean tasks to impress God or indebt Him to us (in fact, He cannot be indebted or enriched by our expenditures or efforts, since He Himself is the source of every breath and every resource that we can give him; Ps 50:9-15, Job 41:11, Acts 17:24-25).

Rather, our struggle is with evil, with sin, and with death. Externally, we contend with the spiritual forces of darkness (Eph 6:12-18). Internally, we fight against our weaknesses and sinful desires (1Pe 2:11, Rom 7:23, 1Cor 9:22-27). And ultimately there is an enemy that Jesus Himself must defeat: Death, or the state of being forever separated from God because of our sin (1Cor 15:25-26). Sin's servants, sin's allure, sin's power, sin's punishment-- these are the enemies we contend against. Simply knowing this helps us focus our energy correctly, avoiding the pitfall of resenting our neighbors, our authorities, our limitations and our circumstances!

What does the war look like? How do we recognize this contest with evil in our own lives and in the world around us? It takes numerous forms. Sometimes it looks like debates about philosophies and ideas: will an argument that diminishes Christ or undermines God's truth win (2Cor 10:3-5, 2Ti 2:24-26)? Sometimes this war looks like temptation to do wrong or refrain from doing right: will carnal desires control our life (1Pe 2:11, Rom 7:23)? Sometimes it looks like persecution from others: will the Gospel wither under abuse (Rom 8:35-36, Rev 12:17, 13:7)? Sometimes it looks like an inexplicably delayed answer to prayer arising from hidden and spiritual aspects of the war (cf Dn 10:2, 10:12-13).

Sometimes the spiritual war shows up in literal, political, earthly wars as God molds history to implement His plan of salvation. That is, He may use an earthly war to chastise nations or individuals, to bring a particular king or country into prominence, or to end that prominence (e.g. Ex 15:3-7, 17:8-16, Isa 37:33-36, Dn 7:21-22, Rom 13:1-4). Hence earthly wars are connected with the spiritual war as the tension between sin and the Gospel plays out at the personal and national level (Le 26:3-33, Pr 21:1, Dan 4:17, Acts 17:24-27). Here are some examples of earthly wars with heavenly purpose, approval, or intervention: Ex 17:8-16, Jos 7:11-12, 11:18-20, 1Chr 5:19-23, Ps 78:59-68, Jer 21:3-14, Eze 39:23-29, Dn 7:21-22. Happily, war will cease when God’s plan is complete and Jesus Himself takes the throne of David on earth (Is 2:2-4).

Regardless of how it manifests itself, the power of man can’t achieve victory in this war against sin and against its servants (Ps 33:16-21, 44:3-7, 60:11-12); it is God who protects us and equips us and avenges us (Dt 33:29, Ps 144:1, Pr 18:10, Rom 12:17-21). This fact motivates us to ally ourselves with God, use His weaponry, rely on His deliverance, and hold a low view of human power, including our own (Ps 127:1, Is 2:17-22). At the same time, the limited power of man encourages us when faced with human opposition: every created thing is designed and constrained by God, hence can only oppose us to the extent allowed by Him (Ps 118:6, Is 54:14-17, 37: 21-29, Ps 76). Even spiritual opposition is limited (Job 1:6-2:7, 1Cor 10:13). By limiting the extent and form of the opposition we face, God is able to cause all things to work for our good , enabling us to be “more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:28-39).

God uses martial imagery to help us in both broad and specific areas. For example, as a soldier is supplied by whomever commissioned him, so full-time pastors and missionaries may receive earthly wages for their service (1Cor 9:1-13). In the realm of the family, God likens our children to arrows (Ps 127:3-5). The imagery of war reminds us that their "quiver" time ends with their release into battle, hence motivates us to shape them carefully: we don't want them or ourselves to turn aside (Ps 78:56-57, Pr 22:6) or fall short of the target of Godliness by "sinning" (1Ki 8:48-51, Rom 3:23).

In the course of living for Jesus, we will face spiritual enemies that are too strong for us to face unarmed and unprotected (Eph 6:11-13). We need to put on God's spiritual armor for protection and effectiveness, including "faith", "righteousness", "truth", "the readiness of the Gospel", "salvation", and the "Word of God" (Eph 6:14-17, 1Ths 5:8, 2Cor 6:7, 10:3-6). Reflecting on this armor reveals that all of it is bound up in Jesus: the faith that is our shield involves accepting Jesus as our risen Lord and Christ (Rom 5:1-2, Acts 2:36, 20:21); the righteousness that is our breastplate is imputed to us through our faith in Jesus and the God who raised Him (Rom 3:21-26, 4:20-25, 10:4-10), and is practically lived out through emulating and obeying Jesus (1Pt 2:21-25, Rom 6:11-21, 1Cor 15:33-34, Php 1:9-11, 1Ti 6:11); Jesus is the truth that reveals sin and salvation, protecting us from the Enemy's deception and teaching us the way of Life (Jn 14:6, Eph 4:17-25, Col 1:4-6, Ja 1:8), the Gospel we share is the Good News of Jesus' victorious death and gracious offer of reconciliation for God's enemies (Rom 1:16, 2Cor 5:18-20, Eph 3:6, 6:19-20, Php 2:15-16); Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, the subject of all Scripture, the exemplar and guide of our conduct and belief (Lk 24:25-27, Jn 1:1, 1:14, 5:37-47, 1Jn 1:1-2, Rev 19:11-16); hence, wielding the "sword of the Spirit" entails knowing Jesus through Scripture such that we are purified and encouraged and empowered to expose sin and vanquish opposition (Jn 17:17, Rom 15:4, Col 3:16, Heb 4:12, 1Pe 1:23).

Truly, then, Jesus Himself and His sacrificial death for us are the armor that protects us from the Enemy, and the means by which we overcome (Rom 13:12-14, Rev 12:10-11)! Keep your faith in Jesus strong (1Jn 5:4-5)! Fight a good fight for Him without fear or turning back, enduring what hard things that may entail (1Ti 1:18, 2Tim 2:3-4, 4:7). Arm yourself with the same attitude that Jesus had (1Ptr 4:1). Don't get distracted by earthly things: take every thought a prisoner of Jesus, conquering lusts and false doctrines as enemies (2Cor 10:3-5).

Pray hard, for yourself and your fellow soldiers (Eph 6:18-20). Our Lord is the conquering King of Glory (Ps 24:7-10): give Him the glory for the victory (Ps 118:10-17, 1Cor 15:57)!

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References for the foregoing:

God has enemies who wage war against Him and His servants; a life of sin puts us in the camp of God’s enemies (Is 42:13, Ex 15:3-7, 2Chr 20:29, Isa 37:33-36, Ps 78:7-9, Is 1:18-20, 3:25,
13:11-19, Rom 8:7, Col 1:20-21, Jam 4:1-4, Rev 11:7, 12:7, 17, 13:4-10, 17:9-14)

In this present age of grace, He shows love and seeks reconciliation with men that are alienated and enemies with Him (Mt 5:43-48, 2Cor 5:18-20, Eph 2:11-19, Col 1:19-22)

He has a vast army; he is “the LORD of hosts” (Jos 5:13-15, 1Sam 17:45, 2Ki 6:15-17, Ps 24:7-10, Is 10:16, Jer 51:19, Rev 19:11-15)

Christians are part of His army (Php 2:25, Phi 1:2, 1Ti 2:3-4)

He has weapons which He uses to judge sin; He teaches and helps his people to war, giving them His weapons (Nu 22:23, 31, Dt 32:39-43, 2Sa 22:30-51, 1Chr 21:1-30, 2Chr 32:7-8, Ps 17:13, 18:2-3, 45:3-6, 144:1, Is 59:15-20, 2Cor 6:4-7, 10:3-6, Eph 6:11-17, Heb 4:12). Sometimes humans or human authorities are used as His weapons to punish or oppose sin (Ps 7:11-13, Is 10:5, 49:1-2, Jer 51:20-23, Rom 13:1-4).

Instances of earthly wars with heavenly purpose, approval, or intervention (Ex 17:8-16, Nu 21:33-35, Jos 6:20-21, 7:11-12, 8:1-2, 11:18-20, 1Chr 5:18-23, Ps 78:59-68, 89:38-45, Jer 21:3-14, Eze 39:23-29, Le 26:3-33, Dt 28:22, 32:23-25,
Dn 7:21-22, )

War will cease when God’s plan is complete (Is 2:2-4)

He wages war on his enemies, triumphing and delivering us from the enemies of our soul (Ex 15:6-7, 17:15-16, 18:1-4, Dt 4:34, 20:1-15, 32:39-43, 33:29, Jos 10:5-14, 40-42, Ps 21:11-12, 46:6-11, 76:1-10, 144:5-6, 10-11, Is 1:24, 9:4-7, 26:21-27:1, 31:5-9, 34:1-8, 42:13, 49:22-26, 59:18-19, Jer 21:4-5, 50:24-25, 51:19-23, Rom 7:21-25, Col 2:15, Rev 12:7-8, 17:14, 19:1-2, 19-21, 20:7-9)

He protects us as our shield, our defense, our rock and fortress (Gen 15:1, Dt 33:29, 1Sa 2:2, 2Sa 22:2-4, Ps 3:2-3, 18:2, 28:7, 94:21-22, 144:2)

Man can’t give the victory (Nu 14:39-45, 1Sa 17:45-50, Ps 33:16-21, 44:3-7, 60:11-12, Is 54:17)

Earthly forces are limited by God in what they can do—they succeed only as God allows (2Ki 19:20-28, Isa 10:5-34, 37: 21-29, 54:14-17)

What soldier pays for his own service? Likewise, the soldier of the Gospel may make a living from the Gospel (1Cor 9:1-1)

Sons are like arrows in the hands of a warrior (Ps 127).


Our Response and Depiction:
Put on God’s armor in place of sin or human strength; use God’s spiritual weapons; overcome with the blood of the Lamb and by your testimony; arm yourself with the same attitude as Jesus (Rom 13:12-14, 2Cor 10:3-6, Eph 6:11-17, 1Ths 5:8, Rev 12:10-11, 1Ptr 4:1).

Fight a good fight: don’t be afraid or turn back, endure hardness, don’t be entangled with earthly things
(Ps 78:56-58, Is 51:4-23, 54:17, 1Ti 1:18, 2Tim 2:3-4, 4:7).

Run to God for protection (Pr 18:10)

Take every thought captive to obedience to Jesus; revenge all disobedience and destroy all thinking that opposes Christ, conquer lusts and false doctrine as enemies; don’t be taken captive by false teachers
(2Cor 10:3-6, Col 2:8, 2Tim 3:6)

Don’t turn aside like a treacherous bow (Ps 78:56-57)

Give God the glory for the victory; praise Him with your song (Ps 20:5-9, 76; Ps 28:7)