Legacy of a Warrior: The Way a Warrior Stands

Spiritual battles. Whether you realize it or not, you have them every day. For example, you may think that when you and your spouse are having a conflict that it is just a difference of opinions, ideas or personalities, or perhaps that one or both of you are having a bad day. But in reality there is a battle going on behind the scenes. You and your spouse together are battling against your enemy, the devil. (And, no, your spouse is not the devil!)

So how do we stand strong in our faith so that we are…

• living a life of honesty, integrity and honor
• showing love and serving others
• overcoming the temptations of the devil
• encouraging people through our words
• sharing the good news of Jesus Christ

Many people think we need to just “try better” or “try harder” as a Christian, but just trying harder will wear you out. We must realize that because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the victory has already been won! That means that when we accept by faith the death, burial & resurrection of Christ, and we surrender our lives to him as our Lord, then we have the strength for victorious, Christ-honoring living every moment of every day. A few years ago I read a little book that helped me clearly understand this spiritual reality.

In his book Sit, Walk, Stand, Pastor Watchman Nee from China powerfully teaches about our relationship with Christ and what it means to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. As one reviewer of the book says:

Nee shows that in Ephesians Paul presents the basis for our Christian life is for us simply to accept that through Jesus, God has already “seated us with Christ in the heavenlies.” Nee shares this radical understanding: once we have accepted that God has already given us our identity, we are released from the need to strive to be “better” Christians: our Christianity flows naturally from our new identity with Christ. Nee goes on to say that once we accept that we “sit” with Christ, our life (the “walk”) in the world will be the Christian life. Then, Nee shows from Ephesians, we will be prepared to “stand” — that is to resist Satan.

You see, the point is that we do not have to win the battle. Jesus has already done that! We in fact simply stand with confidence in his victory and with his help we overcome the enemy, one battle at a time. And remember the temptation is not always to participate in some destructive, unholy activity. Sometimes the temptation is to not obey the Lord when he wants us to serve someone, or encourage them, or share the good news of Jesus with them.

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)