Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. C.S. Lewis
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish
strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4.
“The art of war teaches us to not rely on the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not
on the chance of his not attacking but on the fact that we have made our position unassailable”. Sun Tzu
We men are all born as males but becoming a man is a process. Someone has said that you can determine
your maleness by looking down below your waist but to determine your manliness you must look inward
at your heart. I believe that most men can readily understand this analogy. However, the manliness I am
referring to though is becoming conformed to the likeness and the image of Christ. We can call this
process, described in Romans 12:2, as becoming Jesusesque. For a man to do so, it must be a personal
decision within his heart.
Jesus is the consummate example for all human conduct, but for this discussion we shall focus on that of
warrior. After all, our Father God is a warrior, Exodus 15:3. Becoming a warrior is essentially a two-step
process. First, a man must have a passionate desire in his heart to prepare himself and to perfect himself
for the stance against evil in the service of others. It is really difficult to fake this part. Secondly, he must
devote himself to a life of preparation and perfection of those skills required of this calling, and all the
while submitting to a higher authority.
This is exactly what Jesus did! You really cannot fake part two! Hebrews 12:1-12 is very insightful
review of this process, with verse 11, righteousness and peace, the result. I often go to Philippians 3:12-14
for motivation and inspiration in this lifelong process of :“forgetting what is behind and straining toward
what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in
Christ Jesus.” Yeah!
Throughout history a universal requirement for warriors has been to become intimate or “at one” with
their weapon. This process requires discipline and much training and practice. The Japanese Samurai
warrior and sword is a classic example of man and weapon merging to form a warrior. This integration of
warrior and weapon brings ‘life’ to the weapon and renders the warrior an asset to his authority. The
weapon then becomes an extension of the warrior’s hands, the warrior’s eyes, the warrior’s strength, the
warrior’s heart, and an extension of the authority that he represents. The warrior then becomes a kingdom
asset and a threat to any force opposed to the authority the warrior represents.
In the days of old, as a young squire would complete the rites of passage to become a knight, a special
virgin sword was being crafted for him. However, the young squire must first prove that he could master
himself before he could be trusted to master an enemy. Once this was accomplished, at a solemn
ceremony knights of the realm would gather around and individually challenge and encourage the squire
in his calling. A priest would come forth with a prayer for this specially crafted virgin sword and it was
then presented to the new knight. One of the prayers offered was this: Bless this sword, so that it may be
a defense for churches, widows, and orphans and for all servants of God against the fury of the heathen.
Then would come the dubbing…a blow to the shoulders, not a light tap you may have seen in movies.
This dubbing was to remind the knight that he was “under the sword” and that he had already surrendered
his life to a noble cause. He is to be a knight: one chosen, destined, anointed by his God for sacred
service. He understood that he no longer represented himself, but rather his God and his king, in all of his
actions and inactions.
For Christian men in 2024, this special sword will of course be the Word of God. It will be that “weighty”
Word that reminds you that you are under the sword, and it must be that Word with which you have come
into oneness and intimacy with. It will be that part of the Word with which you, “mighty warrior” will
represent your King Jesus in the defense of widows and orphans and quell the fury of the heathen.
Gentlemen, we are not a convenient religious club or civic service club, but we are part of a Holy Order
charged with sacred duties… words that seem to have lost their meaning in our modern life. Satan has
not changed, and God has not changed—neither of them are Americans. The requirement to make
disciples and to live sacrificial lives of service, though not prominent American Christian Church
teaching, has not been changed by all of our technology.
In his great book All In, Pastor Mark Batterson says: “When did we start believing that God wants to send
us to safe places to do easy things? Jesus did not die to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. The
will of God is not an insurance plan. It’s a daring plan. The complete surrender of your life to the cause of
Christ isn’t radical. It’s normal. It’s time to quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
It’s time to go all in and all out for the All in All!”
Warriors intuitively know that the use of their weapon is a perishable skill…that lethargy can be lethal.
We must be prepared to confront demonic forces, as men of the Cross, with confident authority in the
Word and with skill and understanding of how to use it. We must walk worthy of our calling. YES! And
we desperately need each other—Who has your back? Who is your wingman? Who is your leader? Is the
passion of your life for sacrificial service for others or endless self-consumption…reclining on the couch
in your man-cave. Is there anything…faith, family (wife/children/grandchildren), country…that you are
willing to sacrifice for, to give your life…your heart and soul for? Maybe make a list for reference.
In closing, let’s look at these scriptures from 1 Corinthians 16:13, Be on your guard; stand firm in the
faith; be courageous; be strong. (NIV); 1 Peter 5:8-9b, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfast in the
faith…(NKJV); and finally check out this standard that Paul set for us in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” This is clearly the heart cry of a warrior.
The picture I see in this text is a warrior standing nearly exhausted, body marked with sweat and dirt from
recent battle, and sword dripping with the blood of vanquished enemies…nonetheless a gleam in his eye!
“I have fought the good fight…finally, there is laid up for me… and not to me only…”. Brothers, this is
how I want my movie to end, how about you?
Barney Barnes, 09-11-2024, Former Promise Keepers National Ambassador for the Military and Prisons