Be Willing to Engage in the Battle  

The main activity at the recent birthday party of one of my grandsons involved several Nerf gun battles. You are probably familiar with this brand of soft foam toys, including these weapons that shoot out harmless, spongey ammunition. After a couple of contests of “capture the flag”, the young participants engaged in a “free for all” battle. We adult observers noticed a couple of kids who took up initial positions behind some shrubbery. However, as the other warriors ran around confronting the opposition and firing their weapons, those two simply stayed in their secluded hideaway. They weren’t hiding out waiting to launch a surprise attack. As time went by, they appeared to be content purely to survive the battle without ever getting directly involved or engaging the enemy. After about twenty minutes, their parents finally prodded them to leave their sanctuary and join the action.

It reminds me of a tendency we may have as we face opposition, challenges, and battles as followers of Jesus in this world. The Bible reminds us that there is a real sense in which believers are involved in warfare during our time on this earth. We have a spiritual enemy who desires to destroy us. There are also individuals, groups, and organizations who are hostile toward those who adhere to the truths and values revealed in God’s Word. Jesus told His disciples that they should expect to encounter mocking, betrayal, and persecution in the world. We aren’t just paranoid. There really are those around who are malevolent toward faithful followers of Christ. And some of them mean business. They don’t use Nerf ammunition. Their attacks can be painful and even deadly. In light of that reality, we may be tempted at times simply to find our place of refuge and hide out there until the storms blow over. If opposition surfaces, we merely attempt to avoid it. The concept of survival is adopted as our main goal. We hope just to “lay low” until we reach our heavenly destination.

There is certainly a time and place for the tactics of avoidance and defense in the face of such opposition. There may be occasions when we need to take refuge. There are situations in which we may simply need to seek to remain standing as the war rages around us. However, that doesn’t mean we choose to isolate ourselves and refuse to get involved in the conflict that is going on. We may need to actively defend ourselves and what we believe. We may need to stand up and fight for what is right, true, and good. And our involvement may not be confined to simply withstanding enemy attacks. There are times when we need to go on the offensive as well. We should be seeking to take ground away from the enemy and to help misguided souls on the wrong team find their way to God’s side.  

    Additionally, let’s keep in mind that the weapons we use in these contests aren’t always the same ones this world uses. There may be times when we battle by preaching truth, exposing lies, and putting forth our persuasive arguments. However, sometimes our most potent ammunition involves prayer, showing God’s love to others, helping them in a time of need, and exhibiting a spirit of forgiveness and kindness – even toward those who would consider themselves our enemies. We need to step out of our secluded sanctuaries not just to shoot sharp, pricking words and actions at our adversaries, but to overcome through love, mercy, grace, gentleness, and goodness.

There are spiritual conflicts taking place today. Don’t hide from the battle. Get involved as a good soldier of Christ.