Twelve people did something great in the Bible, but you have absolutely no idea who ten of them are. Do you know what I’m talking about? Here’s a hint: the story is told in Numbers 13. Moses gave 12 men an assignment. No cheating. Don’t go get your Bible and look it up. I want to know if you know these men. Does it ring a bell? Ok, here are the names of the ten men I am referring to: Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, and Geuel. I am sure you have no idea what I’m talking about. (if you do, good for you)
I also bet that if I added the other two names to the list, you would immediately know what I was talking about. They are Caleb and Joshua. Now you remember. Moses sent 12 spies into the “promised land” to do some reconnaissance for the upcoming conquest. They all came back with a report of how magnificent the land was. Ten of the men said that it would be impossible for them to take possession of the land because of the giants that lived there. Only Joshua and Caleb silenced the men and said that it WOULD be done because the Lord had promised it to them. And they wanted to go and take it immediately.
The ten naysayers got the whole congregation worked up into a frenzy of negativity, and they wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb. And God was angry! Read Numbers chapter 14.
The world today is full of “Christians” who have many reasons why the promises of God “can’t be done”. There are people who see giants in their lives and forget scripture. But there are also the true warriors of God who not only believe the promises of God, but are ready, willing and able to see God stand and accomplish His word. They are armed with faith and strength.
Jesus did some amazing things here on this Earth. And then he said one of the most dangerous sayings in the entire Bible. He said in John 14:12
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.”
Yikes!!! If you truly believe those words, you will be like Joshua and Caleb. If you hear the words, and let the giants of this life turn you into a powerless Christian weenie, then you run the risk of going down in history like those ten “whats-their-names”. God has promised you some remarkable things as a son. Go take possession of what is rightfully yours.
I was looking for information on warriors in the bible and came across this article. It's great! Thanks for posting. I liked your point of view. I have a son name Caleb for this reason. A man with a different spirit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments RT. They say the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree. So to name a son Caleb means that his daddy must be something special. The fact that you were looking up information on warriors online speaks volumes about you.
ReplyDeleteMay you both have the strength of Samson, the wisdom of Solomon, and the joy to dance like David.
And may you both be men that are remembered and cared about.
Thanks for your article. I am doing a devotion for our high school girls basketball team tonight and am hoping to convince them that despite their lack of size and athletic ability, they can be WARRIORS for Jesus both on and off the court. Have a blessed day.
ReplyDeletehi, new to the site, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your article. I'm teaching the members of our youth group about the importance of being strong Christian Warriors and this was a great help! Christian warriors arise!
ReplyDeletenice article.
ReplyDeletecan you share with me any biblical symbol for a warrior. thanks!
Sure. Let's start with David.
ReplyDeletei came across this site looking for some info for an essay i am writing about the similaritys and diffrences of christains and islams and this gave me a whole new point of veiw
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I was looking into this lately, wondering what it truly means to be a "warrior for God". And even more interestingly, I don't find anything that calls followers of Christ to be warriors. We are called to be followers. Was Christ a warrior? No. He could have been so (as the Jews were expecting from their Messiah), but instead he laid down his life.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 16:32 says "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." I have encountered many in church and two in my own family who claim to be Gods chosen warriors and they all have many things in common - they consistently lack Love, mercy, grace, temperance, patience, joy, peace, long-suffering, and other qualities that represent the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They are defensive and easily angered. They alienate their friends and family as they attack and judge fellow christians. Show me in the bible where we are called to be warriors. It doesn't exist.
Without Love we are clanging cymbals...warriors are focused only on the fight (the storm for Peter) and I am concerned how believers have forgotten that the fight has already been won through Christ. How vain to continue to fight an already won war.
Read Exodus 15:3. Great men's book...wild at heart deals w/ how God designed men in his likeness to represent masculine side if God. Talks about being warrior. Great book. Blessings.
DeleteGreatness. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteThanks for the comments Serotap. To say things like “warriors focus only on the fight” indicates that you may have a skewed perception of what a true warrior really is. I understand your views based upon your experience with repugnant family members. Nothing could be farther from the truth though. When Jesus (the prince of peace himself) drove out money changers with a whip and overturned the tables in the temple, it showed us a side of our Lord that you seem to be forgetting. And who is this King of Kings who comes back to take the throne in Revelation 19? It's the Jesus you claim to know. Even the prophesy of his return in Isaiah 63 shows him splattered in blood. And didn't he tell Peter to strap on a sword? (Luke 22:36) Even Jesus himself said “Don't think that I came to bring peace, but a sword”. Mat 10:34
ReplyDeleteI hope you take some time to do some serious study of the NEW testament. The warrior analogies run through almost every single letter. The armor of God, fight the good fight, strive to enter in, resist, overcome evil with good, rebuke, wrestle, tread on serpents and scorpions, war, be strong in the power of his might, endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ, cast down, be disciplined, lay hold, seize, crucify affections and flesh, resist the roaring lion, and on and on....I could be here all day quoting NEW testament scriptures that refer to being a warrior in a war.
If none of this speaks to you, it simply means that you are not personally called to be one. And that's OK. David had lots of people in his kingdom that loved and served God. He had thousands of soldiers who were fighters. But there were only 37 who were called mighty men. Read 2 Sam 23. It's pretty clear.
I'm so glad to hear that you have been looking into these things lately Serotap. That means that there might be an unction from the Holy One tapping on your spirit.
PS: Warriors aren't here to fight. Warriors are here to keep the peace through strength. When someone has a devil, it's the warriors that get called to cast it out. Then the ensuing peace and freedom from bondage that the prisoner feels is what being a warrior is all about.
Wow that was Deep Coach, Awesome word...I agree with ur word...
DeleteAll Praise is due to the Lord. Amen and amen.
DeleteGod bless for this wonderful wisdom found in your speech Mister Coach.
"...the ensuing peace and freedom from bondage that the prisoner feels is what being a warrior is all about."...explains exactly how I feel.
For even I'm sure people would know even the greatest leaders, soldiers, and commanders of the Lord were all sinners.
For even I am a sinner. But that's how we all start to become warriors.
Sorry. Would write more but a friend is here.
God bless you Mister Coach for your warrior Spirit.
I feel there aren't enough christian warriors around. The real enemy are atheists and satanists
ReplyDeleteWow. and amen Coach. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. The sooner we as Christians understand that the fight isn't about us, but that it's about advancing the Kingdom of God...We will accept that we are here to war. God's kingdom is righteousness and peace, and this belongs to us. Let all who proclaim the name of the Lord, and have pledged his allegiance...take it by force.:) Keep being a blessing with these post.
ReplyDeleteAnissa. You sound like a beautiful lady. I'm very happy to find a woman like you.
DeleteBehind the words you write on computer screen, I sense you have a beautiful woman's spirit as well. Like a vicious sister. lol.
I guess we were all created this way hey? To have some violence in us.
But that is okay. Hate is good and so is love. I love the Lord and I love my women.
But I guess that's what we gotta do hey Anissa? Mix some blood with some love. The heterosexual way. Lol. For we are all sinners. At least I know what your talking about.
God bless your soul. Keep on fighting the good fight.
Wow. and Amen Coach. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. We are called to fight. As christians, we must realize that the fight is not about us, but that its all about advancing the Kingdom of God. His kingdom is righteousness and peace, and it belongs to us. Jesus was not passive. Everyone who proclaims his name..and has pledged allegiance to our Father God and his purposes..has to understand we engage the enemy and take it by force. We win everytime.:) I enjoyed your post, thank you.
ReplyDelete