Battle Formed But Not Battle Ready
Are you battle formed but not actually ready for battle? Battle formation is having the weapons of warfare and an outward showing of might and strength. Battle readiness goes further, because it not only means knowing how to use those weapons but it also is accompanied with the right state of mind and will to actually stand in the face of battle.
We see this in Exodus 13:17-18 where God chose not to lead His people along the road that was closest and easiest for them to escape from their bondage of slavery. That path, He knew, would lead to immediate war, causing them to change their minds and return back to the very place He just freed them from. Instead, He personally led them along a different road that took them through the wilderness.
I share this because in this life, you and I are going to face battles, including spiritual ones. Jesus tells us instead of worrying or being afraid, we can have peace and keep heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). I want to remind you that in Christ, we are battle formed (Ephesians 1:3; 2:4-10). We have been made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). People around us can see the difference between who we were to who we are now because of Jesus. We also have armor and weapons for our warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10-20). But having those things means nothing, unless you and I are battle ready. Readiness comes from growing and maturing in our relationship with Christ.
So how do we know if we are battle ready? Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you determine your readiness:
Do I look for the quick and easy path to navigate life, instead of trusting and following God in a time of wilderness?
Is there a stronghold, addiction or sin where I once experienced freedom but now easily return to when life gets hard or difficult?
Do I daily recognize and follow the presence of God through His Spirit, through prayer and time in His word?
Remember – God freed us from the power of sin and death over our lives (Romans 6:6-14), therefore any time we succumb to its power again, it's because you and I chose to go back to its yoke of bondage.
So how do we go from just being battle formed into battle readiness? Here are a few suggestions on how you can grow and mature in your relationship with Christ:
Know and fall more in love with Jesus every day! When we know who He is we will grow in our faith and trust in Him (Psalm 46:10; John 14:1-4). When we love Him, we will also listen to Him (John 14:15) and fulfill our life’s purpose (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Control your mind! Our minds are power and we can either talk ourselves into following God or not. We can also allow our minds to entertain the voice of others rather than the voice of God. We must allow the Holy Spirit to give us the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10-16), be transformed and renewed from the way of the world (Romans 12:1-2), taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we do that we will not deceive ourselves into thinking slavery is better than the sometimes difficult path of freedom.
Owe your freedom! “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Sometimes the path to freedom brings seasons of loneliness, trials and tribulations, but we are not alone (Hebrews 13:5) and suffering we may experience not only has purpose (James 1:2-4) but cannot compare to what we have in Christ. (Romans 8:18).
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6
Are you battle formed but not actually ready for battle? I pray this will be a source of motivation and encouragement no matter where you find yourself today. God wants us to grow and mature in Him so that we will be ready in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:1-5). So whatever you are experiencing on your journey today, He is trustworthy (Proverbs 3:5), knows what’s best (Isaiah 55:6-11) and the motive of His heart is for you (Jeremiah 29:11)!
