Ephesians 6:14-20 – “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints —  19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  NKJV

I am convinced that God is raising up a New Breed of Spiritual Warrior in our times.  They will be filled with compassion but they will be warriors extremely sensitive to the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Spiritual Warfare is a reality that cannot be divorced from the Church or our Christian walk in today’s world.  The apostle Paul understood that the battle rages in that unseen world but he also knew and taught that it is vital that the Church and Christians learn how to use the weapons of warfare and understand the devices of the devil and God’s divine strategy on Earth!

Have you ever wondered why the Church local often seems so vulnerable to the attacks of the devil?  Let me capsulize it this way:  “You don’t put armor on wounded soldiers, infants or children.”  Remember the caution or objective Paul addressed in Ephesians 4:13, “…’til we all come into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God to a PERFECT MAN…”  An army that is strong and effective only entrusts armor to the most healthy and well-trained not the weak and wounded. 

Spiritually, the Church needs the “Man or Woman of Armor” to step forward.  Who is this?  This is the person who is consistently led by the Spirit of God.  The simple reality is that people who are led by God’s Spirit manifest God’s power! 

The Church is sometimes weak because we have been willing to send children and the wounded into battle rather than those of full stature who are adorned with Spiritual Armor.  If you study the Bible and history you realize that, in a very real sense, God’s Kingdom rests in the hands of Fragile People!  No, God is not fragile but we are flawed vessels and dare not fail to remember that.  Additionally, if we do not know what is required how will we ever be what has been declared and do what is required?

There are characteristics of the Triumphant or Victorious Army I would like to consider:

• The Victorious Warrior waits for a Certain Sound.

In Paul’s statement of 1 Corinthians 14:18, I believe the implication is DO NOT go into battle UNTIL you hear a SURE SOUND.

• The Victorious Warrior depends on Definable Leadership.

Look around and ask, “Where are and who are the generals in the Church today?”  It is important that the troops know why they are dying in battle and maintaining total confidence that their leaders are getting their marching orders from God.  It is imperative that the vision is presented clearly so that everyone knows what is at stake.

• The Victorious Warrior depends on the Strategy of the Holy Spirit.
• The Victorious Warrior requires Adequate Resources.
• The Victorious Warrior must exhibit Proper Discipline.
• The Victorious Warrior or Army MUST provide a place of healing for the Wounded Warriors.
• The Victorious Warrior or Army is built on Trust.

Unfortunately, we have factions in the world of Christendom that are warring against each other rather than warring against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness.  Your Brother in Christ is not your enemy.  There is no Spiritual Armor to fight brothers in Christ who hold a different understanding of some things spiritual.  When we fight among ourselves we become weak and defeated.  We have to learn to Trust.  The flesh will make mistakes and human beings will come to wrong conclusions but if we trust CHRIST IN US we can trust the Holy Spirit to LEAD US INTO ALL TRUTH!

What is at stake?  Eternity!  When I visit a church or am invited to speak I always look for “Who is truly in Charge.”  Why?  Because I want to know if a man is in charge or if God is?  What is at stake?  Abundant Life! 

Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came to give us Life and that Life would be Abundant.  Much of the church world is devoid of government and order and our independence sometimes relegates us to a weakness that results in unnecessary defeats. 

According to the Bible we, God’s People are HEIRS OF THE EARTH.  (Romans 4:13, 18; Galatians 3:29).  No, I do not mean a takeover by Christians but that we, as believers, are to LIVE A BOLD WITNESS in our generation.  We must recognize the real enemy and attack any force that withstands or seeks to delay the purposes of God on this earth.  We must wage war against anything that seeks to disqualify Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone.  We must wage war against anything that seeks to disjoint or prostitute the Church Jesus is building.  We must make the Voice of the Church heard again in the world!

If you are a Wounded Warrior call the medics do not attempt to conceal your wounds and wear masks.  If you are still a child or a teenager spiritually, run to those who can mentor and equip you for service.  If you are healthy, whole, and equipped spiritually refuse to complain and become engaged in the WAR.  The Medics should focus on the Wounded. The Fathers are to teach the children.  The Warriors are to Prepare for Battle.

God has and is developing a Mighty Victorious Spiritual Army!  God bless you richly is my prayer and desire!