Chariot of Fire -2.2-

Out of the Trenches, Men - Part 1

It looks like a war is brewing on the horizon for our country. The men and women of our armed forces are preparing to fight a battle against international terrorism. But my mind turns to another conflict of even greater significance in the lives of Christians and the spiritual war that wages in our own hearts as well as in the hearts of our children.n style="mso-spacerun: yes"> From the day we were born, we were dropped behind enemy lines, and we must be on the alert. An attack could come at any time from any quarter. Each family needs men who are ready to fight for the cause of the kingdom of God and the survival of the next generation. What kind of a warrior are you?

Gordon Dalbey, author of Healing of the Masculine Soul, says a warrior spirit is intrinsic to males. Men are motivated to conquer foes, to respond to challenges and to solve problems. Have you ever noticed how most boys have an interest in war? I remember seeing a cartoon once where in the foreground two mothers were sitting at the kitchen table. One remarked to the other, "I'm not ever going to let my son play with guns!" In the background in the living room were their two preschool-age sons. Each was behind a piece of furniture, aiming a toy car in his hands like a gun, and yelling, "Pow! Pow! I got you!" Hmm.

There's also a strong lure to camaraderie. A child asked a participant of Desert Storm if the experience was fun. He commented, "The camaraderie was unbelievable. It really was fun because we all had the same purpose and mission, and we were in it together. The bond was terrific." Other activities in life have a similar appeal such as participating on a sports team, working together on a mission project, or accomplishing a corporate goal.

Although the warrior spirit may be in young boys naturally, as we get older, it may be lost. In this article, I would like for us to get in touch again with the warrior spirit in a good sense. Perhaps in some of us it needs to be awakened, recovered, or instilled if we are to rise to the call of being the protectors of our families and our spiritual heritages.

Identify the characteristics of a good soldier.

Years ago, I was looking for an example which showed men working together to accomplish a mission or task. Out of my childhood memory banks came some of the stories I'd read in comic book series such as G.I. Joe and Sergeant Rock. After finding one of those comic books, I came across a set of frames that caught my attention. Perhaps you and your son may make use of this article as you prepare him for life. As you look at the picture below, what characteristics of a good soldier are illustrated?

Define an ideal warrior.

Some Special Forces men were asked their definition of an ideal warrior. Here's what they conveyed. "They cited loyalty, patience, intensity, calmness, compassion, and will. They agreed that the true warrior knows himself and knows his limitations. Self-mastery according to the Special Forces men is a warrior's central motivation. He is always practicing, always seeking to hone his skills, so as to become the best possible instrument for accomplishing his mission. The warrior takes calculated risks and tests himself repeatedly. He believes in something greater than himself, a religion, a cause. He does not worship violence, but is at home with it. He may snivel (complain), but he is not a victim."

After reading this definition, consider discussing the following questions from two directions. First, answer them from the standpoint of a soldier. Then consider them from the standpoint of a husband/father who is leading his family in the spiritual battles of life.

• Why is it important for a man to know his limitations?
• Why should self-mastery be a central motivation?
• How does a man hone his skills as a soldier? How does a husband/father hone his skills?
• What will happen if a man fails to hone his skills? Why would he not hone his skills?
• What does a man have to overcome before he tests himself in order to discover his limitations, achieve self-mastery, practice, and hone his skills?
• What danger is there if a man's cause is himself?

Jesus is the ideal warrior!

Consider how Jesus demonstrated the qualities of an ideal warrior in his incarnation? As you reread the Special Forces' description of the ideal warrior with Jesus in mind, you'll find he fits the description well. Furthermore, he was victorious! Jesus came to do battle with sin, death, and the devil. We're told in the epistle of John that 'the Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil' (I John 3:8). The apostle Paul wrote, "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:55-57). And what's more, He is our point man! "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place" (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Spiritual terrorism is at hand.

There is a spiritual battle taking place that dwarfs the current conflict with terrorism. It's the battle for the souls of men and the next generation. The spiritual terrorists are not partial with regard to their targets. They would just as soon attack a child or a woman as a man. Every soul is considered a target! They use the most subtle weapons and means such as television, sports leagues, music albums, radios, advertising, movies, and on and on.

Who is the head of 'Homeland security' in your house? How close does the enemy have to get to you and your family before you will pick up your weapons, get out of the trenches, and fight? Will you awake and rise up if he's coming at you down your street? Will it rouse you if he's approaching your house from the sidewalk? How about if he's in your house through the media, neighbors, or youth group? How is the communication between the intelligence gathering forces (dad and mom) in your family? Are you hunkered down in the trench? If so, what will it take to get you out of the trench and onto the spiritual battlefield to fight for the salvation of your soul, for your family, and for your spiritual heritage?

I hope this Chariot has sounded the battle cry. We've got a victorious Commander-in-Chief who has front-line experience, who knows our enemy, and is committed to preparing us to win the war. Let's take heart and rise to the call of God to be soldiers for Christ. Next month we'll arm ourselves with some weapons for the battles of life. Until you hear the trumpet sound, let us keep our "eyes peeled for sunken pillboxes, our toes feelin' for booby traps, and our ears listenin' for snipers." We're each responsible for a platoon.

Be equipped and trained for battle.

Need some weapons for the war? How about some direction for honing your skills as a husband and father? The Spirit of Elijah Ministries exists for just such a purpose. Our mission is to see the hearts of men turned to God, their wives, and their children for the glory of God. You'll find some helpful resources on our website at www.spiritofelijah.com. Perhaps there is a men's conference near you that you could attend for training and encouragement. Please, check out the speaking schedule on-line.

Help others out of the trenches.

This week, a man called me from New Jersey. He had been listening to The Equipping Men Series and it was obvious that God had called him out of the trenches and up on the battlefield. His heart had turned to his family, but also to the other men in his church. He is planning to take as many of the men in his church as he can through the series so they can become equipped and trained for their callings in life. Within a matter of weeks, God has transformed this man from a trench-dwelling MIA to a fired-up warrior reporting for duty!

As we closed the conversation I encouraged him that God would be with him and that God was using him because he was involved now in a cause outside of himself that fills the heart of God. He was so choked up with awe at God's grace and mercy that he could hardly say, 'Good-bye.' I feel the same way, and so can you. Do you know some guys that need encouragement and who need to be called out of the trenches? I ask you to join me in this mission. Please ask the Lord Jesus whom you need to call, to whom you should send this article, and how He can use you as an instrument for His glory and kingdom. We can make a difference together as a team empowered by the Spirit of Elijah, none other than, the Holy Spirit, Himself!

On the attack with Jesus on the point, the Holy Spirit in the heart, and our Father in control,

Norm Wakefield
Elijah Ministries
PO 377
Bulverde, Texas 78163
www.spiritofelijah.com