The strength to fight

The Soldier Mentality: The Ten Essential Characteristics

In the message, here are some characteristics listed of the Christian who wants to be a true soldier, a man and woman of strength.

1. Refusal of the complaint
   A soldier engages in combat, takes initiative, and progresses without ever complaining. Imagine for a moment that soldiers in a war situation would begin to question: Why do we have to participate in this conflict? The inevitable consequence would be annihilation. This is exactly how so many Christians find themselves spiritually defeated. They complain endlessly when it comes to engaging in the fight for their lives.
   True warriors have definitely left the community of lamentation. They don't lament—they continually celebrate God and rejoice in the power God has made available to them! Dedicating one's energy to serving Jesus is a privilege.
   Often, people from other congregations come to share their situation. They have complaints against the Lord and want to involve you in them. “Why didn't God do this or that?” My answer is simple. There is clearly someone at fault in this matter, but it is certainly not God. The problem lies with the humans involved. This awareness is the door to the solution.
   It is time to end this culture of weakness in the Church! Christians continue to be trampled underfoot because they have forgotten that they are called to rule.
   
2. Constant preparation
   A soldier maintains constant readiness, at all times—not just when the battle is raging. His training is constant. He doesn't start his regimen the day the mission order arrives!
   The Bible is clear: you must put on the full armor of God so that you can stand firm in the evil day. It's not when crisis strikes that you should start fasting, praying, and seeking God! The military calls this “battle readiness”—being constantly ready for combat.
   The mature believer moves effortlessly from worship to spiritual warfare. One moment, he tenderly adores: “I love you, Jesus.” The next, in the face of the enemy, he becomes a roaring lioness. Then he peacefully returns to worship.
   Sometimes, in the peace and quiet of home, a person suddenly feels an urgent need to pray. They then engage in intercession. It is God who leads them into battle. Then, a significant event occurs, and they realize that God has preserved them.
   
3. Endurance and joy in difficulties
   True spiritual soldiers continue to move forward joyfully even in the midst of difficulties. For example, they find joy even in exhaustion. Some cry out, “I’m so tired!” after the slightest exertion—but those who are serious consider fatigue in God’s service a badge of honor.
   A pastor recounts an occasion when he traveled to serve the Lord. He made a considerable commitment, traveling to a community to preach for several consecutive days. He gave of himself without reserve. And he returned home exhausted but grateful. As he thanked God for the privilege of serving Him, the Lord replied, “No, thank you for what you have done for me this week.”
   This shift in perspective is crucial. Our churches are filled with people who overestimate the difficulties of life or of serving God. They are always ready to give up and serve with their feet dragging. Jesus deserves better.
   The authentic Christian is courageous, not cowardly. Paul said to Timothy, “Suffer with me as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Today, finding people willing to suffer for Jesus has become rare!
   
4. Personal struggle and responsibility
   Spiritual warfare is personal! Every believer is endowed by God with the resources to fight—not just to survive. We must fight for our family, our children, our spouse, our church. Everyone must stand up and shout, “I am fighting for my life!”
   God strengthens His people in anticipation. He doesn't chase the enemy to put out fires—He equips His children to know how to fight before the battle begins. But responsibility must be taken. No soldier will stand idly by while their life is in danger and their family is under attack from the enemy.
   A crucial principle of combat: separate emotions from satanic activities. Tenderness is for God; when facing the enemy, one must know how to put feelings aside. By understanding these principles, no one will complain of their weakness or allow themselves to be trampled underfoot!
   
5. Rejection of the spiritual delegation
   Delegating your prayer life is mortgaging your destiny! Some pay “prophets” to pray for them or climb a mountain for them. This is a fraud perpetrated in the name of Jesus—a pure spiritual fraud! No prophet can pray for you.
   God's servants are there to equip you for ministry, to assist you occasionally, to intercede on your behalf, and so on. However, it is your personal responsibility to pray. For every child of God is primarily called to develop an intimate knowledge of God. We deprive ourselves of intimacy with God when we delegate our prayer to a third party. We cannot grow spiritually by proxy! If someone says, "Rest, I'll pray for you," and then asks for an offering in return—run away! This person is a spiritual thief, not a guide.
   
6. Attitude towards authority
   The soldier sees himself first as a soldier of Christ. We are enlisted as soldiers in the service of Christ, all in the same boat, all subject to the same requirements. If Jesus should be displeased with me, He has the means to dismiss me. We are all soldiers under authority.
   It's easy for people in the assembly to shout, sing, and declare that they will perform exploits, but many are actually supported by spiritual crutches. And as a result, they fail to progress, advance, conquer, stand firm, gain territory, resist the adversary, or persevere.
   God wants a conquering army, not war wounded! In our ministry, our goal is to equip people so that they do not become war wounded. However, some prefer to maintain the status of a pastor's client rather than develop the stature of a powerful man or woman.
   
7. Emotional detachment from the enemy
   To achieve spiritual dominance, one must master one's emotions. Overly emotional people have difficulty exercising authority. When faced with demonic activity, learn to put aside your feelings—except righteous indignation.
   Tenderness is reserved for your relationship with God. In the face of the enemy, a transformation takes place: from lamb to lioness in an instant! It is this spiritual flexibility that marks the mature warrior. Notice the difference in the reaction: the immature believer says, “A spirit is attacking me, I am trying to keep the faith,” while the seasoned warrior stands up with authority: “How dare you attack me! In the name of Jesus, go away!”
   
8. Personal Confessions
   Deliberately cultivate within yourself this characteristic soldier mentality. The soldier mentality is cultivated through powerful daily confessions. Declare: “I am a soldier of Christ! Full of strength, authority, and power! I never capitulate in adversity! I always prevail!”
   Meditate on these truths and proclaim them continually. These statements must become part of your daily life. Satan will say, “You can’t say that!” Reply firmly, “Yes, I can! The Bible says so, so I say it too! I am called to proclaim what God declares.”
   Declare with conviction: “I am not a war casualty and never will be! When God looks for powerful men and women, He can count on me!”
   
9. Consequence of desertion
   “What punishment do those who desert face? Court-martial. They are not allowed to desert. Let me tell you, as Christians, we are not allowed to abandon our post. And there are many deserters within the Church.” They are given a responsibility, and they abandon it. They imagine that God approves of them, but God is never on the side of deserters. Never!
   Many sing “We will do exploits” but achieve no exploits, because they refuse the rigorous training of spiritual warfare. God does not want war wounded, but a conquering army! Too many believers are bruised, bent, broken by trials—unable to move forward, to conquer, to resist the enemy.
10. Discipline and training
    God himself trains our hands for war, but this training requires our participation. Teaching provides the initial impetus, but each person must grasp what they receive and integrate it into their lives. Every day, declare: “God is training my hands for war. I will never back down again!”
    This week, for example, he trained our hands for spiritual warfare when we began our prayer session. Some remained passive. We had to exhort them: “We are in prayer, participate!” And we entered a dimension of deliverance. […] Both sides began to invest themselves in intercession. But if your attitude was: “Ah! Let’s move on,” then you missed the training opportunity.