“And take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God . . ..” (Ephesians 6:17)

Herman Edwards, a former head coach of the New York Jets, once famously said, “You play to win the game. You don’t play to just play it.” For those whom God calls, we could adapt this quotation to say, “We are called to win battles. We are not called just to play church.”

There is no better place to see that truth than in the book of Revelation. Christ gives each church era down through the ages the same consistent message: “to him who overcomes.” Finally, in Revelation 21:7, it is to the overcomer that God gives the privilege of becoming a child of God.

Instead of “him who overcomes,” the English Standard Version renders the Greek phrase as “the one who conquers.” In II Timothy 2:3, Paul calls the Christian “a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Make no mistake: Those who are Christians are soldiers at war.

War is a life-and-death struggle where one conquers or is conquered. Our battle is not about physical life or death but spiritual life and death. To him who wins the battles, God promises sonship (Revelation 21:7) and eternal life (I John 2:25). Those who do not risk being blotted out of the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5).

In Part One, for the spiritual war we are fighting, we identified the enemy, the battlefield, and our weapon:

» Our enemy: Us. It is our carnal human nature, which, like a Judas goat, leads us to destruction and death.

» Our battlefield: The mind and heart—ours. As noted by John Ritenbaugh in the previous article: “A change must first take place in the thoughts if conduct is going to be changed. The real problem with sin resides inside the mind.”

» Our weapon: The sword, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). This weapon we are to wield is not physical, but spiritual, as the apostle Paul writes In II Corinthians 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” God has provided this weapon for us. If we use it, God guarantees victory (Joshua 1:8; I Corinthians 15:57).

Recall from the last article that memorizing the Word of God is a powerful approach to internalizing Christ’s mind (Philippians 2:5). With those implanted verses in our arsenal (James 1:21), we can be ready immediately to wield our sword to repel any attack. We can draw from His resources rather than ours. Being filled with God’s words prepared Christ for any attack. Memorization allows us to follow His example and be ready as He was.

When embarking on a memorization project, there are things to consider. We will use insights from Christ’s battle with Satan in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.

Where to Begin?

To arm ourselves with the power of Scripture, our sword, where should we begin?

To answer this question, we must answer another: “What battle do we want to win?” In other words, what obstacle do we need to overcome? Or, what thought pattern do we want to replace with the mind of Christ? No army wants to fight on multiple battlefronts. Neither should a Christian soldier, so we should pick one battle at a time to win. Then, search the Scriptures to find the sword to win that battle.

The goal is not to fill the mind with verses to impress others. Instead, we aim to equip ourselves with the best weapon for each skirmish. Consider the following suggestions to forge a more effective and powerful sword.

A practical method to sharpen our sword is memorizing only a verse’s essential portion. In each situation of His temptation by Satan, Christ used only the part of a verse necessary to thwart the Devil’s attack. Our Savior used His sword with precision, using in each case only the phrase from Deuteronomy that met each attack perfectly. We should follow that example. Being precise increases effectiveness. In addition, time is a problem for all of us, so we should spend it on what offers the most significant returns for our efforts.

Another way to sharpen our sword is illustrated by comparing these two versions of Psalm 112:7-8:

» He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established; he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies. (New King James Version [NKJV])

» He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid but can calmly face his challenges. (The Living Bible)

The second version is more likely to resonate with a modern individual, evoking a more profound emotional response, strengthening his resolve as he goes into battle. The more a verse moves a person, the more powerful the sword. Another benefit of picking a translation that speaks to us is that it makes the verse easier to remember. However, one must use caution when doing so, as some paraphrased versions of Scripture take great license with the original texts, changing the meaning to suit the translators’ beliefs.

The word “challenges” in the second version illustrates an additional way to sharpen our sword. It replaces the word meaning “foes” (“enemies,” NKJV) that the Hebrew uses. “Foe” is a word that carries the thought that other people are the enemy when, as Pogo said, “The enemy is us.” “Challenges” brings a more precise focus to the mind, more accurately identifying all our foes, not just other people, including life’s circumstances and our faulty thought patterns.

Jesus did something similar in Matthew 4:10, where He uses the word “worship.” In Deuteronomy 6:13, where the quote originates, the Hebrew uses “fear,” not “worship.” Both the Hebrew and Greek words connote “reverence.” The Hebrew emphasizes the fear and awe aspects of reverence, while the Greek stresses the adoration aspect. Christ sharpened His sword using a variation that best responded to Satan’s specific attack.

Translators do the same thing. Each underlying Hebrew or Greek word in the text of the Bible can have multiple meanings. Based on the context, they will choose the one word they think is closest to the original thought. Here, we are doing something similar, selecting the word most meaningful for our situation.

Some situations will require multiple attacks with our sword. For instance, for all of us, fear becomes a big problem at one time or another. Fear displays a lack of faith, and faithlessness is sin (Romans 14:23). However, this sin can confront us differently. Psalm 112:7-8, noted above, could be what is needed when receiving bad news to help remind us who oversees the events of our lives. Then, at other times, a trial may be severe and ongoing, so Isaiah 41:10 might be the sword of choice: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

The Tough Battles

After choosing our sword, other considerations arise. Some of our issues are shortcomings we have battled for years, yet we are still losing. We can find an example that fits that category in Galatians 5:19-21:

The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom. (Common English Bible, emphasis ours)

If someone has a hair-trigger temper, it is no easy battle. For this struggle and other challenges like it, a technique used by highly skilled, elite soldiers such as Navy Seals and Army Rangers can also help Christian soldiers.

That technique is visualization, also known as mental rehearsal or mental imagery. In simple terms, it is practicing one’s experiences in the mind. Some of the benefits, supported by psychological and neuroscientific research, are:

» Activates similar neural pathways as does physical practice.

The brain does not distinguish between the thinking and the doing. Nearly two thousand years ago, Christ taught us that in Matthew 5:28. Lusting in the mind is the same as the physical act of adultery. This connection emphasizes again that the real battle is always in our minds.

» Allows individuals to internally rehearse and receive feedback on their actions without needing to perform them physically. This feedback can help to identify and correct errors.

This finding aligns with the teachings of Psalm 119:59 and Proverbs 4:26, which urge us to think about our actions and decisions.

» Leads to a more automatic response to situations as internal systems are trained to respond down specific pathways.

The last item is what a Christian soldier should be trying to accomplish—an automatic response to imitate Christ. Through memorizing verses, we are replacing the thoughts of our old man with Christ’s, creating the new man with the mind of Christ (Ephesians 4:23-24). With that new mind, whatever the circumstance or challenge, we can instantly react as Jesus Christ, our Commander, did.

For persistent challenges, it is beneficial to pinpoint the specific situations that pose the greatest difficulties. Drawing inspiration from elite warriors, who meticulously prepare for missions through visualization—examining every detail and anticipating every possibility—we should emulate their approach. Reflect on—or, to use a biblical term, meditate on—how Christ might respond using the spiritual weapons found in the Bible. Mentally rehearse these scenarios in advance. This approach will better equip us to face these situations confidently and comfortably, shifting from reactive to proactive.

Each attempt that falls short presents an opportunity to revisit and refine our approach. Rethink the situation in as much detail as possible and make necessary corrections. For example, another verse or passage may work better for this challenge. By doing this, we reshape our minds to mirror Christ’s (Philippians 2:5), establishing habits and pathways rooted in obedience with each effort. Instead of being bound by our sinful inclinations, we are allowing God to change our hearts from stone to flesh, bit by bit (Ezekiel 11:19).

Daily Systems

Overcoming and conquering our issues is the goal, but the daily systems or habits we establish pave the way. Christ instructs us to focus on our daily responsibilities (Matthew 6:34). For example, by engaging in daily prayer, we set a routine—a systematic approach—that propels us toward our goal. Prayer increases faith (Matthew 17:19-21). Strengthened faith empowers overcoming (I John 5:4). Overcoming leads to becoming a child of God (Revelation 21:7).

Memorization can be integral to our daily routines as we strive to adopt Christ’s mind. Dedicate time to rehearsing a verse to remember. Or, use visualization to rehearse a simulated skirmish. By having a daily system for memorization, we reinforce our spiritual foundation and align our thoughts more closely with Christ’s.

When designing a daily system, we should start by picking an easy battle. Practical training starts with the easy and adds more difficult situations as skill builds. Beginning with the more manageable issues allows experimentation to establish a workable daily routine. It allows for adjusting variables such as what to do, duration of activities, scheduling, etc. Easier battles serve as training grounds, allowing the approach to develop into a smooth-running system before facing tougher tests. And overcoming the easier struggles gives us the confidence to test ourselves against harder ones.

God is about repetition because it imprints His way onto our hearts and minds. We pray and study every day. We have the Sabbath every week and God’s holy days every year. This repetition is a system to reach the goal, doing what needs doing daily, weekly, and yearly to lead to God’s Kingdom. Like these systems, memorization is also about repetition to attain the goal of putting on the mind of Christ.

Remember to include a brief, regular review of previous verses memorized. The weekly Sabbath may work well as a day of review. Going over our stockpile of verses routinely ensures we do not get rusty in using them and have them ready for immediate use against an unsuspected attack.

Memorization of verses can have another use: It can empower our prayers. “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (I John 5:14). Scriptures, especially His promises, express His will. By building a collection of verses that address the issues we pray about, we can confidently go boldly before Him with our requests (Hebrews 4:16).

Soldiers train. Part of the training program for a Christian soldier is prayer, study, fasting, and meditation. Memorizing verses can be part of the meditation process. As this world falls apart, increasing our training is necessary to prepare for what lies ahead.

Our Times

In Matthew 16:2-3 and Luke 12:54-56, Christ scolds those who could discern the physical signs of the weather but not the signs of the times they were living in. How about our times? In Luke 17:26-30, Christ speaks of His return as sudden and unexpected. He compares the times of His return to “the days of Noah” and “the days of Lot.”

Genesis 6:12 describes the days of Noah: “So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” Have we noticed that we have reached a point, not approached before, where every institution seems corrupt? It is a long list that includes media, education, universities, government, science, religion, the legal system, the judicial system, and our election system. Institutions are corrupt because the leaders and too many people who make them up have corrupted their way.

Consider Lot’s time, when the populace accepted perversion as the norm and rioted when visitors would not participate. Since the beginning of time, humanity has known that there were only two genders, male and female. We live in a time and culture that is confused even by that basic knowledge. The sexual sins and confusion that follow go beyond even Sodom in many weird ways, and they are accepted as normal by increasing numbers of people.

We face a flood of false information and pressures from the world around us that can harm our spiritual well-being. Our changing culture can lull us to sleep. It can cause us to view the changes as normal without realizing it.

Christ describes a predominant character trait of the church in the end time as “neither cold nor hot,” that is, lukewarm (Revelation 3:16). To emphasize how pervasive this attitude is and how unprepared we are for His unexpected return, He gives us the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. In the parable, He says in Matthew 25:5, “. . . they all slumbered and slept.” All! At this time of great peril, Christ warns that our hearts and minds are asleep at the switch, the least armed to resist and repel the assault.

Consider the apostle Paul’s call to action in Romans 13:11-12, 14:

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. . . . But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Christian soldiers, it is time to win battles—time to unsheathe our sword!