Last time, we saw that the Christian warrior is one who desires to walk in the truth and who depends on the righteousness of Christ. He seeks to make sure that his daily condition matches his eternal position.
Therefore, he stands fast and firm against the devil’s lies as he asks the Lord to search his heart daily and reveal anything that is inconsistent with the victory that is his in Christ.
He also stands firm against the devil’s lies regarding his eternal position. Regardless of whatever failure he experiences in life, he emerges from it better and stronger, because he knows that his position before the Father is such that he is eternally loved, accepted, and victorious in Christ.
Therefore, he refuses to listen to or believe the lies the devil tells him about how God could not love him any more, or use him any more. He honestly confesses his failures, repents of his sins, and moves forward in his walk with the Lord.
Now today, we will consider yet two more weapons of our warfare: our foot wear and our shield.
(READ vs. 13-16)
1. Gospel foot wear - v. 15
A Christian warrior is dedicated to sharing the Good News.
When Paul mentions our footwear, he is speaking of a willingness to go when ever and where ever our commander in chief wants us to go. We are ready to share the Good News, whereby we have experienced the peace of God! This is what Peter was referring to when he said:
“Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” - 1 Peter 3:15 (CEV)
If live in such a way as to make sure our daily condition is matching our eternal position of victory in Christ, then, not only will we experience the blessings of heaven today, but we will be used of God to expand the influence of the kingdom of heaven and minimize the influence of the kingdom of darkness, and others will be drawn to Christ as they note the difference in our lives.
The Christian warrior then, actively seeks to be involved in sharing the Good News. Therefore, he will seek to follow God’s guidance in . . .
A. Interceding for unbelievers.
The Christian warrior, through prayer, asserts his God given authority to enforce God’s heavenly decrees on earth concerning what the cross of Christ has bound and loosed. As we “pray in the Spirit,” interacting with God in prayer, allowing Him to guide us in our intercession for those held captive by sin and Satan, we claim victory over the evil one who has blinded them to the truth, so that they might have opportunity to understand the truth and choose to believe.
“Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them.” - 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)
In our prayer for those who do not know Christ, God can give us insight as to how the powers of darkness are deceiving them, so we might exert our authority over the enemy in that area. This is part of what Paul meant when, in 2 Corinthians 2:11, he said of Satan, “we are not ignorant of his devices.”
In praying for those without Christ, God wants to lead us to understand what the issue is with that person, where Satan is deceiving them, and what truths they need to be awakened to. As we pray specifically for our lost friends, we can defuse the lies of the enemy, giving them opportunity to understand the truth they need to understand in order to choose to be saved.
But the Christian warrior not only seeks to follow God's guidance in interceding for unbelievers, but in . . .
B. Interacting with unbelievers.
“Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and makethe most of every opportunity.” - Colossians 4:5 (NLT)
One important principle to recognize when it comes to my being led by God in relating to unbelievers, is to understand how God has designed me to share my faith. Paul speaks of sharing our faith in terms of footwear. One of the things we understand about footwear is that “one size does not fit all.” I believe God wants each of His warriors to find their “fit” when it comes to their Gospel footwear.
In his book, “Becoming A Contagious Christian,” Bill Hybels identifies 6 different styles by which we can be involved in sharing the Good News. Let's briefly look them over and as we do, think about which approach is your “fit.”
1) The Confrontational Approach - Peter - Acts 2
2) The Intellectual Approach - Paul- Acts 17
3) The Testimonial Approach - The Blind Man - John 9
4) The Interpersonal Approach - Matthew - Luke 5
5) The Invitational Approach - The Samaritan Woman - John 4
6) The Service Approach - Dorcas - Acts 9
Now, let me hasten to say that regardless of which style of evangelism is your special “fit,” there will be times when you will need to employ some of the other approaches. However, I believe Hybels is right to suggest that we should each ask God to show us the style of sharing the
Good News that is the best “fit” for us. Notice, there is no such thing as the “Let somebody else do it approach.”
Every Christian is called to be a warrior, and that means we each are called to be active in sharing our faith with those who do not know Christ. In fact, actively sharing your faith is one way to see to it that your daily condition matches your eternal position.
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” - Philemon 6 (NIV)
2. The Shield of Faith - v. 16
A Christian warrior is determined to believe God.
The Bible makes it clear that our objective in this spiritual warfare is to see as many of the enemy’s captives set free as possible.
“I will build my church; and the gates of hellshall not prevail against it.” - Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
The church is a mighty army, storming the gates of Hell, demolishing the enemy’s strongholds, in order to set Satan’s captives free!
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” - 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
The reason the Christian warrior needs the shield of faith to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one,” is because Satan’s army is firing at him from behind the stronghold (fortress) where he has someone held captive.
The shield of faith is only needed if we are moving forward against the enemy, not if we are retreating from him.
Among the “flaming arrows” that the devil likes to shoot at God’s people are the arrows of fear and discouragement. This is where the shield of faith comes in. Through faith, I can deflect the enemies attempts to discourage me and stay the course and remain steadfast.
But I want you to make note of something very important as we conclude today’s lesson.
Conclusion: The shield for a Roman soldier was a valuable piece of equipment. The kind of shield which is spoken of here was a large shield approximately two and one-half feet wide and four and
one-half feet high. It was made of a solid piece of wood and covered with metal or leather. The soldiers used these shields to stand behind. They would also stand side-by-side with their shields together, forming a long protective wall and covering against the barrage of enemy arrows coming upon them from above as they stormed the fortress of the enemy.
That’s what we are to do together as a church! The work of expanding the kingdom of God on earth, is to be done by God’s people, as we stand shoulder to shoulder, looking out for one another, encouraging each other in our faith!
Left to ourselves, we can easily be “picked off.” But as we band together with God’s people, we will be better positioned to experience personal victory on the battlefield of spiritual warfare.
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)
Are you willing to dedicate yourself to sharing the Good News? To storming the strongholds of the enemy to see his captives set free? Then commit yourself to standing firm and growing in your faith and to encouraging the faith of others! Get involved in your church! Stand alongside God’s people! Make that commitment! Make a difference!
