Basic Training: Becoming A Spiritual Warrior Series

In a similar way, the victory has already been won by Christ. We know how it will end because we have been given the declaration of victory. Even though the enemy continues to fight against that victory, Christ has won the victory already.

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews declares that Christ “too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”

Christ brought victory over Satan through His death and resurrection.

In 1815, the legendary Battle of Waterloo was fought in Belgium between the British and the French. The Duke of Wellington led the British, while Napoleon Bonaparte led the French. After a stunning victory by Wellington and the British, the news of the Battle of Waterloo to England was signaled by a ship in the English Channel to a man on shore, who relayed the word to another on a hill, and so on across Britain. The process was a slow one and the messages had to be signaled one word at a time.

The first word, Wellington, was signaled. The next word was defeated. Then a fog closed in, and the message halted.

Across England people wept over the message. “Wellington defeated.” Then the fog lifted. The communication continued with two additional words: “the enemy.” Englishmen celebrated the victory.

There was great sorrow when the body of Jesus was carried from the cross to the tomb. The signal seemed to say, “Jesus Christ defeated.” But three days later the fog lifted and the angel announced, “Jesus Christ defeated the enemy.”

This morning, we can celebrate that Christ has defeated the enemy and is triumphant in his resurrection. What makes it even more amazing is how it is significant in our lives today. The triumph of Christ through His resurrection makes a difference in our world today and in our lives this morning.

When we operate as spiritual warriors with the knowledge that Christ has already won the victory, we move forward with confidence, knowing that with His help, we can continue to produce that victory in our lives.

I was so pleased when I learned that Erica had chosen to sing the hymn Victory in Jesus this morning because it really fits well with our discussion this morning.

Today, as we close, I encourage you to quit trying to be an innocent bystander. Many of us try to convince ourselves that we can just sit on the sidelines and avoid the conflict. We go through our lives reeking of mediocrity.

Here’s the problem though, there are no sidelines. There are no neutral corners. There are no innocent bystanders. As Christians we have been called to suit up. We have been called to take a side.

This morning, I would invite you to get serious about this. To embrace your call as a spiritual warrior and to utilize the characteristics shared this morning. Because spiritual warriors understand their enemy; spiritual warriors train for battle, and spiritual warriors know the outcome.