Are You A Warrior?

During our current crisis in dealing with COVID-19, President Trump has often characterized himself as a wartime President in fighting this vicious virus.

He often compliments doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals who are on the front lines combating this “unseen enemy” as “warriors.” The other day in the Oval Office, he described American citizens as “warriors” in fighting this deadly pandemic.

Later in a press briefing White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was questioned by a reporter about the use of the term “warrior.” Apparently this is offensive to the press since several news outlets have tried to frame the usage of “warrior” in a pejorative tone.

When I hear the word “warrior” it conjurers up in my mind a profile of courage. Bravery. Strength. Determination. Fearlessness. And Fortitude. I see a warrior as someone who is a fighter. A soldier. A hero. And a champion.

However, since the military has fallen into disdain in many circles, the use of such militant metaphors don’t set well with some folks. This is not only true politically, but it’s true spiritually.

In fact, some denominations have removed from their hymnals songs that reflect such militaristic imagery like “Onward Christian Soldiers.” One writer described the song as “absurd,” “ridiculous,” and having “outlived it’s usefulness.”

Actually, there is a parallel between the military metaphors used in fighting this pandemic and the Christian life.

Worse than COVID-19 is the unseen enemy, Satan. The scourge of his pestilence that he has inflicted upon the human race is of pandemic proportions. The plague of sin has infected every home and every heart. In it’s wake we witness suffering, sorrow and shame. It’s symptoms are pride, greed and lust. And it manifests itself through immorality, addiction and corruption.

The various strains of sin have affected the destruction of the home. Divisions in churches. Disgrace in our nation. And individual irresponsibility. You don’t have to look far to see sin’s impact. Just turn on the TV. Or look next door. Or better yet, look inside yourself. None of us are immune from sin’s entanglements (Rom. 3:23). In fact, the battle really begins in our own hearts (Matt 12;35; 15:18).

So, we need to be warriors. Warriors against our unseen enemy. Warriors against sinful desires. Warriors against error. Warriors for Truth.

The Bible often reminds us of this personal responsibility with militaristic messages.

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” –2 Tim. 2:3-5

“Fight the good fight of faith…” –1 Tim. 6:12

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” –2Cor. 10:4-5

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” –Eph. 6:10-11

The man who wrote these words was the apostle Paul. He was a warrior. A fighter. A spiritual combatant against Satan, sin and the slanderers of Truth. No obstacle could derail him. No discouragement could deter him. No disease could destroy him. No hardship could demoralize him. No foe could defeat him. He was a warrior.

To be warrior like Paul, we are called to be courageous. To stand strong against ungodly enticements. To bravely uphold the blood-stained banner of Jesus. To march fearlessly forward into battle. And to confidently affirm at the end of life, “I have fought a good fight’ (2 Tim. 4:6-8).