Welcome, men! We’re in our second episode of a 4 part series called 4 pillars of a man’s heart.  This is based on the book with the same title that was written by Stu Weber. Today, we’re looking at the warrior pillar.

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Hello, men.  Welcome back to the podcast.  Today we’re in our second episode of a 4 part series called 4 pillars of a man’s heart.  This is based on the book with the same title that was written by Stu Weber.  Last episode we looked at the King Pillar and we saw that Jesus has called us to lead, but that he has also given us very clear instructions on how we should lead and that is by being the biggest servants in our homes and our churches.   Today, we’re looking at the warrior pillar. Notice it isn’t called the fighter pillar.  There is a big difference between being a fighter and a warrior. A fighter is often short-tempered, quarrelsome, insecure, and selfish.  A warrior is self sacrificing, looking out for the greater good rather than his own good, and acts with self control.  In short, a warrior is meek. The word picture behind the word meek in the Bible is that of a bridled war horse.  It isn’t timid.  It isn’t weak.  It is powerful, strong, even ferocious, but it’s under control. 

Identifying the Enemy 

A warrior has to know who the enemy is.  Our enemy is cunning and is always looking for an opportune time to strike. If we’re not careful and intentional we can inflict casualties on our own side. 

Let's start with a couple of passages of scripture…

Ephesians 6:12  "For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

• It is so easy to forget who the real enemy is.  

1 Peter 5:8 "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

• Who is our great enemy? - The devil.  Our great enemy isn’t the other side of the political aisle. It isn’t the school board

Tactics of Battle 

We do not wage war like the world does. A warrior needs to remember what the primary objective is and not allow distractions to pull him away from the objective. We would be foolish to enter this battle alone.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 "We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ."

• Look at all of the action words in this passage - wage war, use mighty weapons, knock down strongholds, destroy false arguments, destroy obstacles, capture rebellious thoughts, teach them to obey Christ.  That’s a lot of work.  We can’t be lazy if we’re going to be warriors.  We need to be intentional.  We need to be on mission. 
• What are these mighty weapons?  Power of the Spirit, Power of God’s Word, truth, Power of prayer 
• Prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective 

What is our ultimate objective?  It is to go full circle in our pursuit of God.  That means trusting Jesus for salvation, seeking to live a life that honors and pleases him, and discipling someone and helping someone else go full circle in their pursuit of God.  That doesn’t end with your immediate family, but it sure better start in your household.  If you're not teaching your kids about God and his love for them, their brokenness and need for a Savior, and the truth of the gospel - you're not completing the primary objective. 

Proverbs 1:8-9 "My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.  Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace  and be a chain of honor around your neck."

Proverbs 1:7 "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

• Think of all the things you’ve taught your kids to do.  I’ve taught my boys how to throw a ball. They know to keep downwind when they’re hunting if it’s possible.  They know how to cast a lure and clean a fish.  They know how to change a tire, shave, tie a good tie knot.  They know how to frame a football when they catch it and how to keep their hips underneath them when they’re blocking someone.  Some of those are very good things to know, but none of them compares to knowing Jesus.  
• So many parents have lost sight of the primary objective.  They think it is getting their kids a good education, teaching them a good work ethic, making sure they have a comfortable lifestyle or that they make the varsity team in their chosen sport or first chair in the band, or student body president.  None of those things are bad in and of themselves.  They can all be good things, but they aren’t the main thing.  The main thing is for us to raise children who love Jesus, who understand how much Jesus loves them, and who want to share that message with a broken world around them.  Are the things you’re fighting for helping your kids to accomplish that primary objective or are they distracting them?  

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

Suiting Up for Battle 

A warrior needs to know how to handle his weapons

Ephesians 6:10-17 "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[d] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[e] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[f] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

• Put on every piece of God’s armor. We're not putting on OUR armor.  Our armor wouldn’t be very effective.  It wouldn’t be powerful.  This is God’s armor.  It is from him and there’s also a sense in which it is his armor.  In the OT it is the Lord who wears the armor and now he shares that armor with us. 
• Are you suiting up? Do you wear the belt of truth?  

Close

There is something in the way God wired us that causes us to resonate with warriors.  Think of your favorite Bible stories - David and Goliath, Gideon, Caleb taking the hill country in his 80s.  Real warriors stand in the gap.