THE BOOT CAMP BRIDE
As Christians we are all called to be “Warriors for Christ.” We have been inducted into the Armed Forces of Heaven. We did not join the Army of God. We were drafted into the Army when we were “born again.” Like any army, new recruits in the Army of God must be taught and trained in the “art of warfare” and the proper use of their weapons. In a natural army before being sent into battle “new recruits” must go through a period of what is called “basic training” in military “boot camps” in order to learn the “art of warfare.”
The Forces of Darkness today are fighting a “psychological war” against mankind. They use the weapons of doubt, unbelief, mind control, temptation, hopelessness, debauchery, and fear to name a few in order to conquer and enslave the hearts and minds of individuals. If they can take their “thoughts captive,” the Forces of Darkness can enslave and control men and women wherever they “treacherously tread.”
Psychologically speaking, training a “spiritual army” is much like the training men and women receive today in a natural boot camp. In a natural army men and women must “learn” how to fight effectively against their enemies. Education is the key to understanding how to fight and win battles. In a natural army physical and mental strength and stamina are needed in order to successfully wage war against an enemy.
In spiritual warfare knowledge, wisdom, and understanding are more import than physical strength. Education is the key to success when fighting a spiritual war. However, being physically fit is also important. Being physically healthy enables us to take the battle into the enemy’s territory where he takes advantage of others who lack spiritual understanding and wisdom.
If we are not physically healthy we cannot take the battle directly to the enemy in the field. However, there are many “prayer warriors” in the Army of God who are called to “stand in the gap” for others with their prayers. Whether we are called to attack the enemy in the field or at home with our prayers, we are all called to “fight together” in unity to defeat the onslaught of the enemy who desires to take and “keep” souls captive.
There is no room for cowards in the Army of God. The Bible admonishes us to be “made perfect in love and that perfect love casts out all fear.” When Christians are afraid of the Devil they are not made perfect in love, and Christ cannot dwell richly within their hearts. Battle hardened soldiers in the Army of God are those who have learned to love and have cast out all fear.
Since we belong to a heavenly army, our “arms” are spiritual weapons not natural weapons. The Bible tells us we are fighting a “spiritual war.” That war has been and is increasing in intensity as time as we know it winds down. If Christians do not know how to “wage war” against the Forces of Darkness” that are continually “assaulting them, they will unfortunately “lose many battles.”
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
As Warriors for Christ we must have a good understand of how to wage the spiritual war we are “fighting together” against our spiritual enemies. We must understand how to utilize the “weapons of our warfare” which have been provided to us by General Jesus. General Jesus is the Head of the Church, as well as the Head of the Army of God. All instructions on who, how, when, and where to fight our spiritual battles will always originate from “General Headquarters.”
As Warriors for Christ, we must have a good understanding of how our enemy operates and wages war against mankind. As I said, “knowledge” is the key to understanding. We have to obtain knowledge before we can understand how to fight our enemy. Knowledge is the key to preparation. I read somewhere that in warfare “failing to prepare” is preparing to fail.
In a natural boot camp a warrior must learn how to “wage war” against their natural enemies. Without knowledge and understanding of how to fight and how to use the weapons they possess, an army cannot and will not defeat their enemies. Learning how to use their weapons properly and effectively will ensure them they have an opportunity to be successful on the battlefield. These principles work the same in training a warrior of Christ regarding “spiritual warfare.” Educating “Warriors of Christ” regarding the principles of spiritual warfare are of utmost importance if the Bride of Christ is going to become triumphant on the “Battlefield of Life.”
Knowledge alone does not give us victory over our spiritual enemies. It is faith in God and the promises of God that empowers us to become victorious on the Battlefield of the Mind. Knowing how to wage spiritual warfare is just the beginning of the conflict. The victory comes when our faith overcomes our fears and the thoughts that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. When we come to the knowledge of the truth and the truth becomes our buckler and shield, we will experience the victory that overcomes the world and the god of this world.
THE RENEWING OF THE MIND
BUT BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD. Romans 12:2.
Once the Life and Light of Christ enters into the heart of an individual, the process of “re-education” and “spiritual enlightenment” must renew and transform the mind of the individual. In other words, the new recruit must change the way they think as well as what they believe regarding “spiritual issues.” Understanding and spiritually absorbing the “precepts and principles” that govern the Kingdom of God within the soul is of utmost importance for the “new recruit.” It is also important for those in churches today who have never had any “basic training.”
The new recruit must learn how to become transformed into a Mighty Warrior for Christ. The Bible tells us that “though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” (See 2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
As Christians, we are “all” part of the Army of God. We are at war with the unseen Forces of Darkness which try to establish, re-establish, and/or “reaffirm” the principles which govern the Kingdom of Darkness in our hearts and minds. Although our “spiritual battles” are not waged against mankind, we do wrestle against our “flesh man” and the thoughts we have which exalt themselves against the knowledge of God.
The reaffirmation of the principles which govern the Kingdom of Confusion in the hearts and minds of “new recruits” in the Kingdom of God will plague them until and unless their minds are renewed and enlightened “by” the truth. It is the truth that is able to free people from darkness and carnal thoughts which continue to hold them in bondage. When men and women are “enlightened” by the truth, the truth will set them free from their carnal mindedness.
FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKNESS IN HIGH PLACES. Ephesians 6:12.
New recruits in the Kingdom of God must be transformed into a “viable fighting machine” in order to defeat the Forces of Darkness which are continually trying to reinforce their will and dominion over their souls. In the Army of God Warriors of Christ must learn to work together as a team in order to overcome the enemy’s wiles and schemes.
As Church leaders we must equip warriors of Christ with the “Whole Armor of God.” The Lord has given us all the “spiritual weapons” we need in order to defeat the Forces of Darkness that are continually trying to invade and take territory in the hearts and minds of believers. Understanding the “basic fundamentals” of spiritual warfare will ensure the Army of God success on each battlefield we fight upon.
Basic training for a natural army can be “extremely intense” and effectual for those who work and train hard. There are no short cuts in education and training if a “new recruit” is going to become a “successful warrior” in order to become a “successful warrior.” Shortcuts do not work when you are battling an army that has had thousands of years of experience in enslaving the hearts and minds of men and women.