The Anatomy of the Spiritual Warrior

OK, a little disclaimer.  If this post feels different some, it is because this is an excerpt of a bible study guide I wrote and taught while in Afghanistan.  I did tweak it some to be a bit more reader friendly.  But the message here is we can do more than just be saved, baptized and fill a pew.  We are expected to do more.  

We are called to be spiritual warriors.  The whole purpose of this blog is to understand the workings of the Inner Man, or the Holy Spirit, right?  Well this should be our outcome, to become "more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!  That is what this and next week's post is about, to spell out in as clear and concise a manner I can on what is expected of us, children of God, joint heirs with Christ, spiritual warriors.  Enjoy.

7 Characteristics of a Spiritual Warrior

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places

Ephesians 6:12

The Spiritual warrior is more often than not equated with someone who prays and prays often for those around him or her.  This is true, but the warrior is much more than that.  A spiritual warrior hones his craft by dedication to God and his Word, learns the power of the Holy Spirit, and becomes attuned to discerning the spirits.   I have 7 characteristics of a spiritual warrior I'd like to discuss. 

1.  The warrior is able to fight evil spirits by seeing them for what they are and calling upon the Lord God to counteract those spirits through His Word and His Holy Spirit.  Getting to know that love counters fear, and faith and assurance battles doubt is a very useful weapon against the evil spirits that invade our daily lives.  This is the essence of the Spiritual Warrior.

For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.   But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.  

James 3:16-18

2.  The warrior is wise enough to not accept just any explanation, but to test the words and the spirit attached to the word. And how do we test the spirits? Well, one sure way is to know what the Bible says, as encouraged in the below scripture 

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 

 I John 4:1, 2  

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

Evil spirits attempts to deceive us in so many ways.  As one example, Jesus said, 

          "...many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" Matthew 24:5

In this example, these deceivers are saying that Jesus is the Christ, but then they proceed to teach something contrary to what Christ taught. They deceive people about what it takes to be saved, how Christ is going to return, the battle of Armageddon, what sin is and how to get rid of it, the New Testament requirement of perfection, etc. 

3.  The warrior recognizes the dangers of false prophets and fights those spirits that would deny Christ by calling upon the Holy Spirit of Truth and God’s word.  He is not afraid to have the faith as a child would have of his father.

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.   1John 4:3-4

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" Matthew18:3

Jesus was not suggesting that we become as immature children, but become trusting in God as little children, to obey and depend on Him for our needs.

4.  God calls us to be of one mind.  The warrior seeks out the message that coincides with what the Word of God says.  The warrior understands that the Word governs the Spirit in that it is the Truth, but the Spirit is what gives us the understanding, the ability to apply the Word to our lives.  It is the perfect symbiotic relationship in that we need both to be effective and wise warriors.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1Corinthians 1:10

5.  The warrior recognizes those who are placed in authority over him/her, but to also recognize the Word and Spirit working within themselves as well.  He/she realizes that being a spiritual warrior is to become perfected, or spiritually complete by God our Father.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" (continued below)

It is important to recognize each of us has at least one of these gifts within us.  We are all called to be ministers of God at one level or another.  This is but one of the ways we can be an effective witness of God's loving grace and mercy

This understanding of the Word and the Spirit will aid us to not fall away from God with any wind of doctrine that blows by As Paul writes

"That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; "

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:"  Ephesians 4:11-15

Becoming a spiritual warrior is much like the process of becoming a professional in anything.  And make no mistake, we are called to this profession of our faith.  It takes practice.  One may feel awkward at first, not knowing exactly what to say or how to approach a certain topic or situation.  

But as we learn to discern the spirits and get the Word of Truth within your mind, you have substance to draw from.  We have experience, authority, wisdom, knowledge...etc...to battle with.  This is how the "good ground" is prepared.  We are ready to hear and to receive, to take it in, nurture it, and allow fruit to grow out of the hearing.

 

6.  The warrior seeks the truth, upholds the righteous and strengthens those around him through prayer, testimony by example, exhortations and instruction.  Christ was our ultimate warrior.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Luke 4:18

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  1Timothy 6:12

7.  A warrior is not afraid to accept those gifts God has given him to further the Kingdom of Heaven.  Gifts from God accentuate His power and Glory; while at the same time bless the recipient, which in turn blesses those around the warrior as he uses his gift for the Glory of God.

           

"To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."  1Corinthians 12:10-11

Practical Application of Being a Spiritual Warrior

We are going to end here this week, but will continue the discussion of the spiritual warrior next week with a study on Ephesians 6 and the Armour of God. But between now and then, let's agree to practice at least one of these characteristics each day this week. 

Seek out examples of how evil spirits tried to trip you up this week, and how you stopped it from doing so. Remember the characteristics we have studied so far, and what types of spirits they counter. Share your findings in the comment section below. By sharing your victories, others can gain strength and encouragement.  

Go back and revisit any of the scriptures above and get to know them better.  Getting the word and the Holy Spirit in us is the best defense against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places...as was mentioned above.

Happy hunting, and God Bless.