On Guard!

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C.? | Category: General | Apr 1977

Outside the Government recruiting hall was this message on a large banner sign: PART-TIME SOLDIERS WANTED. It made me think; it also made me wonder if a Christian would consider himself in this category as part of the army of the King of Kings. Did not the Lord Jesus choose us to be full-time soldiers who would not entangle themselves in the affairs of life? (2 Tim. 2:4). Or are some of us part-time Christian soldiers? Being in an army is a serious business; it is a job for professionals not casuals; it is for those who value training and instruction in the weapons used in tactical warfare. Christians need to be as well-trained spiritually as Abram's army was physically (see Gen. 14). Like the modern Israelis Abram's men were a small fighting group, but they knew how to deploy themselves, how to use their skills to the maximum, and they knew the enemy. The same is expected of us if we are to succeed in the battle of life.

Our spiritual vitality, strength, and skill are maintained by feeding on the word of God. We must never be without the helmet of salvation to protect the mind from doubts and temptations (Eph. 6:17); to ensure that our heart affection is not stolen away by the world and its attractions the breastplate of righteousness must never be removed (v.14); the girdle of truth must ever remain characteristic of us and loved by us (v.14); the hand must ever hold the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (v.17); the other hand must uphold the shield of faith for quenching the fiery darts which otherwise would leave their wounds and scars; and the feet, beautiful to Him, and washed by Him, must be equipped with good tidings; and finally, there must be continuance in the all-important work of prayer, supplication and watching (v.18).

The ancient city of Sparta had no walls. This was commented on by a foreign dignitary who was invited to inspect the famed Spartan garrison. Back came the answer from the commanding officer. "Sir, with our soldiers we need no walls for every man is a brick". That is the origin of the expression "he is a brick", symbolising reliability, dependability, in every circumstance. The Lord needs today those who are "bricks". "Wherefore take up the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Eph. 6:13).

Paul describes the Christian's opponents as "the spiritual hosts of wickedness" and "the world rulers of this darkness" (Eph. 6:12), led by Satan. Our battles and our strivings, therefore, are not against flesh and blood, but against an enemy who attacks the mind, the soul, and the affections of the believer. And we must not be ignorant of his devices (2 Cor 2:11). Our enemy never rests, and this is what makes it essential for us to be full-time in the King's ranks. Because Satan is relentless in his attacks, it is necessary for us to be fully equipped and on guard at all times. He can be the craftiest, subtlest foe one can expect to meet (Gen. 3:1). His cunning ways appear so innocent at times, until he springs his trap and a spiritual life is maimed or destroyed.

This tactic, something innocent proving to be a "booby trap", is an integral part of certain types of warfare today; it indicates the need for us to be alert, trained, and on guard so that we are able to recognize the things of the enemy which we must resist in order to be victorious (Jas. 4:7). Spiritual alertness is most essential today because so much is being advanced under the guise of religion and Christianity. Millions in money are being spent for the production of films based on Bible incidents: unquestionably a subtle way of getting people, saved and unsaved, to attend shows and theatres. Christians must avoid being caught in this mesh at all costs. Another plan ready to be launched is the filming of the entire Bible, which would run for a total of 100 hours, take 33 years to make, and cost hundreds of millions in money. It is called the New Media Bible.

Scholars must have been enrolled to provide teaching aids for interpretation of the Scriptures, and it is in this area that grave dangers arise. Reliable commentaries have their place, but Christians need a spirit of discernment lest they be found sampling and reading everything that appears to have spiritual connotations. With so much confused and distorted teaching being printed as well as preached, we must be on our guard, and we must heed the warning Paul gave to Timothy: "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). It is in this same chapter that Paul also exhorts Timothy to suffer hardship as a good soldier (v.3); and in the margin "handling aright the word of truth" is rendered "holding a straight course in the word of truth". This is what is expected of us in Churches of God in the closing days of this dispensation. We have been given the responsibility to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude v.3), and to fight the good fight of the faith (1 Tim. 6:12), which adds emphasis to the reality of being full-time soldiers of Jesus Christ. As good soldiers, adequately equipped soldiers, who know their weapons and their enemy, we must avoid being distracted or diverted from our purpose by the enemy of our souls. David's mighty men expressed their loyalty, love and courage for him in the words expressed by Amasai: "Thine are we, David, and on thy side" (1 Chron. 12:18). Joab, the intrepid army general of king David, once rallied his troops with these words: "Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God" (2 Sam. 10:12). Can we accept anything less as soldiers of the King of Kings?

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C.? | Apr 1977
General