3 Thoughts On Warfare

3 Thoughts On Warfare

As Athletes, we are used to the physical realm. We are used to lifting weights, running, practice schedules, and all of the physical aspects of our craft.

We not only have physical responsibilities to pay attention to, but there are also mental and spiritual components as well.

In Ephesians Chapter 6, Paul (the author of Ephesians) illustrates a battle that is continually happening around us, and how we are to succeed and prepare ourselves.

He even tells us specifically what type of equipment that we should take into warfare. This is especially important for Athletes. The following are 3 thoughts concerning warfare… a different type of warfare.

#1 Only One Weapon Is Mentioned.

If you read Ephesians Chapter 6:10–20, we learn about putting all the whole armor of God. Here we see that there is only one offensive weapon that is named… The sword.*

Known as the gladius in ancient Rome, this weapon became one of the most iconic weapons in warfare and has stood the test of time.

Some of us are trying to engage in battle, and are showing up empty-handed. Paul tells us that the sword is the Word of God. Sometimes we get into the habit of using our sword (the Word of God) when we are in trouble, on special occasions, and sporadically from time to time.

We need to be using our sword consistently. Let’s stop showing up to the fight empty-handed.

#2 Who’s Got Your Back?

In the times of ancient Rome, soldiers sometimes would have a special armor (depending on your rank, resources that were available, and other factors).

The Roman fighting style was forward-facing, and they were taught not to ever turn their back toward the enemy. It is for this reason that armor designers emphasized the breast plate, shoulders, and sometimes the shins when they would create armor.

Lorica Hamata, and Lorica Squamata were different types of armor that Roman soldiers would wear… If you could afford it…if you were a certain rank… and if it felt comfortable for you.

You see, the problem with this armor was that it would take several months to create one to fit you properly, and the material could pierce and damage your skin if it was not properly worn, or if it was damaged in any way. Most importantly, it was not necessarily the most comfortable thing to wear to start with!

With this said, a lot of armor worn by soldiers left soldiers’ backs exposed.

Another thing to keep in mind: It doesn’t matter how tough you are, if you are surrounded, you can only fight the guy in FRONT of you. You cannot see behind you.

But if you were surrounded by several opponents and were to fight back to back with a comrade, your chances go way up. This is because you have your teammates back, and your teammate has your back.

You can see what they don’t, and vice versa. God does this with us at a higher level, and we can learn from this to help protect those that we lead and compete with as well.

#3 Change Your Location

Although Paul is giving us physical analogies (soldiers, swords, equipment, etc.), the implication of this whole passage is spiritual.

As Athletes, we are used to imposing our will on our opponents, especially in contact sports. There are some things, however, that we will never be able to defeat physically.

If we take a look at this scripture, we notice that we are NOT fighting against anything physical, but against spiritual forces (principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places).

The way that we overcome in this is to take the battle to the air.… When I say the air, I mean prayer.

We can learn a lot from the eagle in this sense.

An eagle flies at such a high elevation that anybody or anything that tries to attack the eagle (or survive the eagle attack), will also fall off, suffocate, or perish. The eagle doesn’t fight battles on the ground, he takes it to the air.

Eagles, who are known to eat snakes, will never spend unnecessary time trying to fight a snake on its territory…the ground. Rather, the eagle will take the snake to high elevation…and several things begin happening:

• The air is thinner… The snake would not be able to survive due to the lack of oxygen.

• The snake needs friction and it’s environment to move… it can’t do so in the air.

• Snakes are cold blooded, and need warmth to help generate heat… The air temperature would be too cold for the snake to survive at high altitudes.

We can learn a lot from this. We need to take our battles to the air. We need to take our concerns to God in prayer.

I would encourage you again to read Ephesians 6: 10-20. As you do so, what sticks out to you? These are my 3 thoughts; what are yours?

Your Friend,

Josiah Igono

*Prayer can technically be considered a ‘weapon’ (verse 18), but Paul chooses to objectify various concepts with physical items:

• Breastplate of righteousness

• Feet shod (equipped with shoes) with the preparation of the Gospel

• Shield of Faith

• Helmet of Salvation

• Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God