Young People's Group

The Challenge to Be a Strong Christian Soldier

by Mitchell Tan
November 26, 2020

KNOW YOUR ENEMY

Many tend to be ignorant about the works of the devil. There is a lack of comprehension and concern about what he does daily that is so detrimental and destructive. He is a vicious adversary who is out to trick, deceive and destroy as many lives as possible.

The apostle Paul was most concerned about Christians learning to stand against “the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). The word “wiles”’ has the idea of “schemes”. Paul had taught that Christians should never give place to the devil in their lives. He will work in them through the problem of sins like anger and envy (Ephesians 4:26-27). He can also influence them through propagating lying doctrines. False teachers used trickery in “cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14). The word “plotting” in Greek is the same word as “wiles.” Furthermore, the devil can sway the world through the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). And he also seeks to destroy the family unit if he can. Young people, we must know how Satan works and be equipped to defend ourselves against him.

BEING A STRONG CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

The imagery that Paul intended the Ephesians to focus on is one of a strong Christian soldier. This is something that needs to be specially understood and to be lived out in our lives with strength.

1. WEARING THE ARMOUR OF GOD WITH PURPOSE

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

Paul perhaps had the Roman soldier in mind as he taught about putting on the armour of God. In order to stand against the wiles of the devil, there is must be a strong sense of purpose to put on the armour of God. The Christian soldier must understand the different pieces of the armour and to know how to use them well. Because it is a panoply, each and every piece has to be worn together as a full armour suit in order to have full protection against the evil hordes. He must train with it until it is part of him; until the armour and the soldier are virtually one.

2. UTILISING THE ARMOUR OF GOD WITH PROFICIENCY

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

Because the armies of the devil are well-organised and deadly, the Christian soldier must also purpose to be proficient in using the armour of God. The phrase “take up” has the idea of wielding the weapons of the armour to engage in warfare. There must be the skill to use the pieces of the armour like the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit for spiritual combat. Young people, we must take up the armour of God and resist the evil one. Either we fight effectively or we will fail greatly!

GRACE APPLIED TO ENDURE HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
2 Timothy 2:3

Paul also wrote to Timothy that one of the applications of being strong in the grace of the Lord is to be a tough Christian soldier. The soldier of the Lord must not be afraid and have faith and courage to go through whatever challenges and suffering there may be. He must focus on the Lord Jesus. Because He is our commander-in-chief, we must seek to obey and please Him. Young people, let’s humbly seek to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ so that we may endure whatever challenges in life and prevail in the end.

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