Understanding Your Role as a Warrior of God
As Believers in Messiah, each of us is a warrior of God. But what characteristics are found in a warrior of God? What actions do we, as warriors, need to take? And how can we grow in that role?
Join us as we uncover the ways of a warrior of God and how we can be victorious!
What Being a Warrior of God Means
We are warriors of God, this is an important and life changing realization, but for us to know how to walk in that role, we need to understand what it means to be a warrior of God.
Now, the Word says in Matthew 5:9, “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. For 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
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 in terms of 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 because 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, guiding them in His Word, so that they can battle with God’s Word 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
Godly characteristics and behaviors stand deep in the heart of God’s warriors. But how can we break that down? What makes a warrior of God? What things should we see in His warriors? What behaviors? What actions?
A few of the habits and characteristics that warriors of God ought to have include:
- 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 understands not only the process and hours it will take to transform the raw material into something spectacular, but He envisions what is hidden inside the marble. He sees not only who we are now, but who we will become when He is allowed to take His tools and shape us.
At this moment maybe we are great at maintaining a spirit of praise within us. Or perhaps we realize deep within our spirit that God is a God of justice and therefore we too love justice… yet other areas might be lacking. We might have a spirit of praise within us, but perhaps we do not understand that we are sons and daughters of God? We may love justice, but perhaps we forsake fellowship with Believers?
We may not be “finished products” yet, but God stands ready and willing to shape us.
Following God is the first step. Building relationship with Him the next. Because, as 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.’ By the time Jesus was tested in the desert, He was hardly in prime physical condition. He had been 40 days without food, He was hungry, He was not at home where He could have a fire at night or shelter in the day… it was in that place where the attack came. It was there He was tested.
Just like Jesus experienced, our battles may not come when everything is just right. Sometimes we might be hungry, tired, and not wanting to fight when the battle arises. 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…
Doing as David did, going to face the giant when we are led to do so—even if in the natural the weapons we carry and our own size seem inadequate—that is the obedience and faith that leads to victory! It is where 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. It is He 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 choosing to follow 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…
When the Lord tells us to face our giants, we are to be like David, stepping forward in obedience and faith, trusting God to do the rest. To do the big thing.
It is time for us to stand as a warrior of God; to pray, to listen, and to 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)