Young People's Group

CULTIVATING THE MINDSET OF A SOLDIER

by Pastor Mitch
March 28, 2004

Cultivating A Strong Mindset

To be strong spiritually, we must recognise that there are two parts to this endeavour. There is God’s part in granting us His grace and strength. The Lord’s abundant grace is available to us. When we seek the Lord in prayer, He will grant us His grace. Concurrently, there is also our part in cultivating a strong mindset. It is up to us to develop the mind that God has given to us. He will not do that which is our responsibility. Paul had given Timothy many challenges to accomplish in ministry. One of them was to train another generation of leaders. This was an awesome task. Timothy was someone who had the tendency to be timid. He had to do his part to strengthen his own mindset. Young people, we too must learn to cultivate a strong mindset.

The Challenge To Endure As A Good Soldier Of Jesus Christ

The first powerful image that Paul gave Timothy to focus on was that of a Roman soldier.

“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 Timothy 2:3-4

What does it take to be a good soldier of Christ? Firstly, he must have the capacity to endure hardship. The Roman soldiers were well-known for their quick deployment. Garrisons were able to force-march from one location to another quickly. A Roman soldier had tremendous capacity to endure hardship. Young people, we too must have the capacity to take tough things. Let’s learn to have a mindset that is ready to take difficulties. Secondly, he must not entangle himself with the distractions of life. It is hard to be a good soldier when we are entwined with the cares of life. We must learn not to be caught up with the things of this world. Thirdly, he must seek to please the Lord above all. Our focus must be on the Lord. We must seek to be pleasing to our Commanding Officer, who is the Lord Jesus.

The Challenge To Use The Whole Armour Of God Well

The Apostle Paul also taught the Ephesian Church on how to be a good soldier of Christ.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11

He taught the Church how to put on the full armour of God. Young people, do we know how to put on the Christian’s formidable armour? If we want to be strong and able to stand against the temptations of the evil one, we must know how to wear it.

“Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13

A soldier must not only have great endurance. He must also know how to wear his armour and use it to the best of his abilities. Young people, we are engaged in a long spiritual war. The Lord has enlisted us as His soldiers. We fight an enemy that is out to debilitate and destroy us. Unless we seek to have a strong spiritual mindset, the evil one will defeat us easily. Let’s be challenged to know the armour of God well. Let’s be well-versed in how to utilise it. Let’s seek to be good soldiers of the Lord Jesus.

Back to Article Listing