Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier – 2nd Timothy 2:3.

A soldier fights for himself and others. A soldier is trained to carry their weapons at all times because they don’t know where the enemy will attack.

When a person joins the armed forces to be a soldier, they have to have certain qualities. They have to be between the ages of 17 and 35. Must be a U.S. citizen or have a qualifying immigration status. High School diploma or GED. They have to be in good physical condition. Must meet the Army’s criminal background requirements. They take the ASVAB test that measures their skills and helps determine which Army jobs they qualify for. They have to complete Basic Combat Training.

To be a soldier of Jesus Christ, the person just needs to be willing to submit to His command. They do go through basic training before becoming a soldier. After receiving basic training, they are responsible for keeping their armor on and being equipped to fight for themselves and others.

Don’t think because you have joined the army of God that Satan is willing to let you go from being his servant. You will be attacked mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally, and financially. Satan will use whatever he can to fight against you and make you return to him. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

A soldier must be armed at all times, knowing the movements of God and Satan. A soldier must be sober, naturally and spiritually. Knowing the Word of God and fighting with the Word of God. A soldier must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Although Jesus was the Son of God in His human state, He needed to be filled with the Holy Ghost (And Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness – Luke 4:1). Jesus did not perform any miracles until He was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a seal of your sonship and as a soldier of Jesus. Jesus knew His disciples would need power to fight against their adversaries (Behold, I give unto you power [authority] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you – Luke 10:19). When the adversary comes to try to make you lose your faith, or he’s attacking your marriage or family, you fight him by the Word of God and the authority Jesus has given you.

Satan will try your faith as he did with Job. Job was a holy man, one who revered God. Satan used the Sabeans to attack and take Job’s daughters. Job’s livestock and his servants were burned. The Chaldeans took the camels and slayed the servants; a tornado or hurricane killed his sons and daughters. Satan acknowledges the accuracy of God’s evaluation of Job but questions Job’s motives. Satan thinks Job was serving God because of the blessings bestowed upon him, but if the blessings are taken away, would Job serve God? Satan destroyed Job’s children and then attacked Job with boils from the crown of his head to the bottom of his feet. Job did not lose his faith in God, nor did he blame God (In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly- Job 1:22).

Job’s friends said he had sinned because of the things that had happened to him. Rather than losing faith, Job continued to trust God, and God blessed Job with more than he had before the attack of Satan. Job was a soldier of God; he fought the good fight of faith.

When the enemy attacks, you have to place your trust in God and not what you see, hear, or feel. Using the Word of God, fasting, and praying until God brings you out. Where you entered into the attack, there will always be an exit. Being a soldier of God does not mean your life will be a bed of roses. This is why so many professing Christians don’t grow spiritually because they fail the attack; they don’t fight back.

Every attack you go through is another realm of spiritual growth. God does not want His people to be spiritual wimps! So He allows tribulation to make us and mold us (Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God – Acts 14:22). Life and Satan will be used to assist us in spiritual growth

Satan is not willing to let you go, no matter how long you’ve been serving the Lord. He will continue to try to claim you until God calls you home. Many Christians don’t think they’re being attacked by spirits; they think it’s just a coincidence when things happen. Spirits never attack alone; there are always two or more. He brings division between spouses through jealousy, or one or both have been in or are in an adulterous relationship.

He uses children to disrespect their parents, bringing about division between parents and children. Siblings come against one another. Homes are filled with anger and confusion; these are different spirits that have attacked your family. Satan does not care who he uses, as long as he can get you out of faith by saying and doing things against God’s Word.

Sometimes the attacks are so strong you may feel as though God has left you; this is when you must know the Word of God to make your feelings align with God’s Word. When you’re going through attacks, don’t stop praying or reading the Bible. When you’re attacked, fight back with prayer. In fact, you need to keep a consistent prayer life so when the enemy attacks, you’re already prepared for battle.

Satan attacks by keeping us busy, so busy we don’t have time to spend with God in prayer or reading His Word. This tactic will make you weak, so when he attacks, you’re not prepared. Christians are on Social Media for hours, but they can’t pray for an hour or read the Bible. Distraction comes from Satan; his goal is to get you back by any means.

Jesus died to free you from Satan; don’t allow Satan to take what Jesus did for you. Pray and read your Bible daily; fast on certain days to strengthen your spirit. Don’t allow your ears and eyes to listen and look at things that would be doors for Satan to enter. God is holy, and He wants His people to be holy. Christians must protect their ear and eye gates to guard their heart and spirit.

Keep the armor of God on daily (Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Praying, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints – Ephesians 6:13-18. The armor God will prepare you for battle, accompanied by the Holy Spirit indwelling. You have enough to defeat the enemy, no matter how long or how strong the battle is; you have the Greater One living within you.

Fight the good fight of faith for your soul and for others.