In the Bible, believers are often likened to soldiers, called to stand strong against spiritual enemies. According to Ephesians, Christians are to put on the whole armor of God, including the breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith, to withstand the forces of darkness. The Psalms praise God as a rock of strength, who trains hands for war, as seen in Psalms 144. As soldiers of Christ, believers are encouraged to endure hardship, as outlined in 2 Timothy, and to respect earthly authorities, such as those described in Romans 13, who serve as ministers of God for good.
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Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.