How to Win Your Battles as a Warrior of God
As Believers in Messiah, each of us is a warrior of God. But what does this mean? What are the characteristics of a warrior of God? And how do we mature and grow in this role?
What Being a Warrior of God Means
Though the Bible assures us we are in the midst of a spiritual battle, many Christians do not wake up in the morning and consider themselves warriors. This is an important and life-changing realization. But to know how to walk in that role, we need to understand what it means to be a warrior of God.
Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” This Scripture is entirely true, but once we better understand what a warrior of God does, we realize that this Scripture does not nullify that position.
A warrior of God is not a person who seeks out conflict, nor do they fight every battle they see. They listen to the Holy Spirit so that they know when they are to fight and when they are not. Spiritual positioning is their center of operations.
- “‘You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”—2 Chronicles 20:17
How to Win Your Battles
When it comes to winning spiritual battles, we need correct orientation. We must remember that God Himself is a Warrior, and He is at war with the dominion of darkness.
- Isaiah 42:13 says, “The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies.” (emphasis added)
Jesus appeared to Joshua as the Commander of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5:13-15), and Revelation 19 gives a stunning picture of Jesus as a warrior on a white horse, returning to reclaim His throne in Jerusalem.
Being a warrior of God is to partner with Him as He makes His enemies His footstool (Psalm 110:1-2). We stand in the reality that all things are under Jesus’ feet (Ephesians 1:22-23).
Which means …
- We fight from a place of victory.
God has already won the war. In each battle, we are walking out His victory. 1 Cor 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” As sons and daughters of God, we belong to God. We are not fighting alone and we couldn’t possibly have victory without Him. We battle from a place of security in what Jesus has already accomplished.
- We submit to God’s authority.
James 4:7 tells us to submit to God and resist the devil. Notice submitting to God comes first. This submission brings us under the covering of God’s authority. We stand in His authority through the blood of Jesus and His cross, by which He disarmed powers and authorities of darkness, making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15).
- We put on God’s armor.
Paul in Ephesians 6:10-20 calls us to stand firm, putting on the full armor of God. The belt of truth, equips us to be lovers of the truth, exposing the enemy’s schemes and deception. The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart and reminds us of how we have been made righteous through Jesus. We cover our feet in the gospel of peace, knowing God is leading us in a triumphal procession (2 Cor 2:14). We lift up the shield of faith to extinguish the fiery arrows of the enemy. The helmet of salvation guards our mind. As we wield the Sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, we have clarity, discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
- We follow God’s voice.
John 10:27 tells us that as God’s sheep, we know His voice and follow it. We learn to discern God’s voice through His Spirit within us and by hiding His written Word in our hearts. Just like Jesus appeared in the Old Testament to Joshua as the Commander of the Lord’s Army, He is with you in your battles, providing wise counsel and faithful instruction.
Characteristics of God’s Warriors
A warrior of God has many of the characteristics of God because each of God’s warriors is made in His image.
What does that mean regarding how we are to fight our battles?
Remember when Jesus was tempted in the desert? He resisted the devil, fought him with the Word of God—with Truth—and the enemy had no way of winning against Him. But it is also important to remember that the enemy attempted to battle Jesus WITH the Word.
Yet, because Jesus is the Word and He battled as a warrior of God—with Godly wisdom—nothing the enemy tried to do to twist God’s Word worked. A true warrior of God has the Holy Spirit inside of them so that they can battle with God’s Word and rightly divide it as Jesus did…
- “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”—Joshua 1:9
God has given you a warrior-heart. He is on mission within you to make you more like Himself. The overflow of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life transforms how you battle and approach warfare. As you yield to Him, you’ll become more discerning and have a Kingdom-based perspective. You’ll be a more effective warrior of God.
A few of the habits and characteristics of God’s warriors:
- Prayer life
- Understanding and use of intercession
- Love of justice, truth, and righteousness
- Strengthening of faith through God’s Word
- Peace found through God
- Worship and praise
- Heavenly direction regarding which battles to engage or ignore
- Unity with the Body of Christ
- Fellowship with Believers
- Relationship with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Heart knowledge that they are heirs of God
- The full armor of God
- Godly wisdom
- The fruit of the Spirit
- Kingdom view
- Kingdom-based goals
These things are vital; however, the list, while long, should not intimidate. Each of us is a work in progress. What is more, God does not choose us because we are perfect. He chooses us because He sees something in us.
The Lord is like a sculptor selecting marble. He refines us to bring out the hidden treasure within us. He sees not only who we are now, but who we will become.
There is always another layer. Maybe you’ve found breakthrough in maintaining a spirit of praise, but you struggle to approach God as Father. God will lead gently. There is always more of Him to receive and more restoration to experience.
God is still writing your story and He’s not finished yet. He is patient with the process and not in a hurry. As we stay in step with Him we see the beauty of how God is shaping us and making us more like Jesus.
Following God is the first step. Building a relationship with Him is the next. Because, as the relationship and understanding of who He is develops, our character shifts. We begin to behave more like Him because we spend time with Him.
- “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine!”—Galatians 2:20 (TPT)
Being a work in progress does not mean we are not to press onward and upward toward our call in God. It does not mean that we will not have battles or victories because we have not ‘arrived.’
When Jesus was tested in the desert, He was hardly in prime physical condition. He had been 40 days without food, He was hungry and without shelter. It was in that place where the attack came. It was there He was tested.
Just like Jesus experienced, our battles often come when we feel most vulnerable. Sometimes we may feel as bold as lions. Yet, as so many Scriptures state at the time of battles, the battle belongs to the Lord…
It’s in our weakness that He perfects His strength. Like David facing Goliath, our obedience and faith lead to victory. This is when God moves with power and receives all the glory… because the battle is His!
How to Know Your Battles
Listening to the Holy Spirit is key to achieving victory. He is the one who tells us what battles we are to engage in, how we are to fight, and what we need to do.
Battles, even those that happen in the natural, are spiritually driven. We do not battle against flesh and blood, and the weapons we typically use need to be chosen accordingly.
- “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”—Ephesians 6:12
The battles we fight can often be accomplished on our knees in prayer and intercession. But some require additional weapons, such as praise and worship. Or even taking territory in the mountain of influence that God has put us in!
Yet, in all these, we need to remember that the battle belongs to the Lord. We need to seek Him and His will first and foremost. He needs to be the one who chooses what battles we are to face and which weapons we are to use.
The Lord is our admiral, our general, and following His commands is the surest way to achieve victory! After all, God sees the whole picture, He has the maps, information, and vision to see us safely through any challenge…
We are to face our giants like David did, step forward in obedience and faith, and trust God to do the rest. To do the big thing.
It is time for us to stand as a warrior of God, pray, listen, and battle as God directs.
It is time for us to realize that victory comes not through us, but through our Great God!
Let us therefore boast in the Lord, for it is He who gives us victory…
- “Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom, but my miracle deliverance can never be won by men. Our boast is in the Lord our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory!”—Psalm 20:7 (TPT)
Discover more about how to walk in spiritual victory here!