In Rabbi Curt Landry's recent article you're going to get a very good understanding of what this means as he opens up with this:
I'll let Rabbi answer those questions as you read through this awesome word from him. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
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As Believers in Christ we are all warriors of God. But what characteristics are found in a warrior of God? What actions do we, as warriors, need to take? And how can we grow in that role?
Join us as we uncover the ways of a warrior of God and how we can be victorious!
Warrior of God
We are warriors of God; this is an important and life changing realization, but for us to know how to walk in that role, we need to understand what it means to be a warrior of God.
Now, the Word says in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." This Scripture is entirely true, but once we better understand what a warrior of God does, we realize that this Scripture does not nullify that position; for a warrior of God is not a person who seeks out conflict, nor do they fight every battle that they see. They listen to the Holy Spirit so that they know when they are to fight and when they are not to. Spiritual positioning is their center of operations.
"'You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you." (2 Chronicles 20:17)
Characteristics of God's Warriors
A warrior of God has many of the characteristics of God, because each of God's warriors is made in His image. What does that mean in terms of how we are to fight our battles?
Remember when Jesus was tempted in the desert? He resisted the devil, fought him with the Word of God—with truth—and the enemy had no way of winning against Him. But it is also important to remember that the enemy tried to battle Jesus WITH the Word. Yet, because Jesus is the Word and because He battled as a warrior of God—with godly wisdom—nothing the enemy tried to twist in the Word worked. A true warrior of God has the Holy Spirit inside of them, guiding them in His Word, so that they can battle with the Word as Jesus did.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
Godly characteristics and behaviors stand deep in the heart of God's warriors. But how can we break that down? What makes a warrior of God? What things should we see in His warriors? What behaviors? What actions? (Photo via Piqsels)
A few of the habits and characteristics that warriors of God ought to have include:
• Prayer life
• Understanding and use of intercession
• Love of justice, truth, and righteousness
• Strengthening of faith through God's Word
• Peace found through God
• Worship and praise
• Heavenly direction regarding which battles to engage or ignore
• Godly wisdom
• Unity with the Body
• Fellowship with Believers
• Relationship with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Heart knowledge that they are heirs of God
• The full armor of God
• The fruit of the Spirit
• Kingdom view
• Kingdom based goals
These things are vital, however, the list, while long, does not need to intimidate. Each of us is a work in progress. What is more, He does not choose us because we are perfect. He chooses us because He sees something in us. He is like a sculptor selecting marble. He understands not only the process and hours it will take to transform the raw material into something spectacular, but He envisions what is hidden inside the marble. He sees not only who we are now, but who we will become when He is allowed to take His tools and shape us.
At this moment we may be great at maintaining a spirit of praise within us. Or perhaps we realize deep within our spirit that God is a God of justice and therefore we too love justice...yet other areas might be lacking. We might have a spirit of praise within us, but perhaps we do not understand that we are sons and daughters of God. We may love justice, but perhaps we forsake fellowship with Believers...
We may not be finished products yet, but God stands ready and willing to shape us. Following God is the first step. Building relationship with Him the next, because as relationship and understanding of who He is develops, our character shifts. We begin to behave more like Him—because we spend time with Him.
"My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of His Cross crucified me with Him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer Mine, for the Anointed One lives His life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that He gave Himself for me, and dispenses His life into mine!" (Galatians 2:20 TPT)
Being a work in progress does not mean we are not to press onward and upward toward our call in God. It does not mean that we will not have battles because we have not 'arrived.' By the time Jesus was tested in the desert, He was hardly in prime physical condition. He had been 40 days without food, He was hungry, He was not at home where He could have a fire at night and shelter in the day...it was there that the attack came. It was there that He was tested.
Just like Jesus experienced, our battles may not come when everything is just right. Sometimes we might be hungry, tired and not wanting to fight when the battle arises. Sometimes we may feel as bold as lions. Yet, as so many Scriptures state at the time of battles, the battle belongs to the Lord. (Photo via Pixabay)
Doing as David did, going to face the giant when we are led to—even if in the natural the weapons we carry and our own size seem inadequate—that is the obedience and faith that leads to victory! It is where God moves with power and receives all the glory...because the battle is His.
Know Your Battle
Listening to the Holy Spirit inside of us is key. It is He who tells us what battles we are to engage in, how we are to fight, and what we need to do.
Battles, even those that happen in the natural, are spiritually driven. We do not battle against flesh and blood, and the weapons we typically use need to be chosen accordingly.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)
The battles we fight can often be accomplished on our knees in prayer and intercession; but some require additional weapons, such as praise and worship, or even taking territory in the mountain of influence that God has put us in! But in all these, the battle belongs to the Lord. We need to seek Him and His will first and foremost. He needs to be the one who chooses what battles we are to face and which weapons we are to use. The Lord is our admiral, our general, and choosing to follow His commands is the surest way to achieve victory! After all, He sees the whole picture; He has the maps, information and vision to see us safely through any challenge.
When He tells us to face our giants we are to be like David, stepping forward in obedience and faith, trusting God to do the rest, to do the big thing.
"Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom, but my miracle deliverance can never be won by men. Our boast is in the Lord our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory!" (Psalm 20:7 TPT)
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Rabbi Curt Landry
Founder, Curt Landry Ministries
Email: info@curtlandry.com
Website: www.curtlandry.com
Curt Landry is the founder and CEO of Curt Landry Ministries, an apostle and founder of House of David Ministries, and the acting CEO of My Olive Tree and Dead Sea Moringa. Curt and Christie Landry travel extensively, operating in the gifts of healing, signs and wonders, and teaching about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and the One New Man. Curt is also active in raising support for Israel throughout the Evangelical community as he desires to be a bridge of unity and restoration between Israel and the Church.
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Do you what it means to be a warrior of God?
