067. Chapter 62: Spiritual Strength or Courage
------------ CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO ------------ Spiritual Strength or Courage Not only does much time elapse between the promise and the possession of the matter which hope assuredly anticipates, but also much opposition from enemies is to be expected. Therefore, the person who exercises hope needs to be valiant in order to endure all things and overcome all obstacles. We thus add to hope spiritual strength or courage.
Spiritual strength is an undaunted steadfastness of heart, given by God to His children, whereby they, while entertaining a lively hope of acquiring the promised benefits, overcome fear for all danger and opposition, unyieldingly engage in warfare, and courageously persevere in obedience toward God. The following is a true proverb: Ardua quae pulchra, or, eminent matters are difficult to be obtained. This is true in both natural and spiritual matters. Those spiritual matters to be acquired are most eminent. He who is not acquainted with them, however, will neither trouble himself about them, nor risk any danger for them; but he who is acquainted with them will risk everything for them and will fortify his heart with hope. This fortitude, even though the world designates it as being stubborn and strong-willed, is nevertheless an eminent virtue. It is an ornament for the Christian which is pleasing to God, dreadful to the world, and personally beneficial. It is a virtue which God requires and to which believers are frequently exhorted, namely, "Be strong." The seat of spiritual strength is to be found in the soul, intellect, will, and affections of the believer. All of these are fully engaged relative to the objects at hand. It is not a physical activity (even though this is also essential in the execution of this strength), but rather an activity of the soul. It is not merely an activity of the intellect, observing this virtue in its beauty, but all faculties are active. It is not an activity which is occasionally engaged in, but rather it is a propensity, a habitual disposition and competence, which initially is infused by God, but which is exercised by the influence of the Holy Spirit, and by much exercise improves and becomes stronger. "His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid" (Psalms 112:7-8). The heart of the unconverted is not the subject of this strength, for they are unto all good work reprobate (Titus 1:16). They have no promise, no faith, no hope, nor internal spiritual life. What spiritual strength and courage could they then have? Only the regenerate are the courageous ones and they have what we have just mentioned -- something which the unconverted do not have. All "the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1). To those who are called to be saints the apostle says, "Quit you like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Both object and goal are identical here. Spiritual strength relates to the good that is to be acquired and the evil that is to be overcome. God promises many benefits to His own according to body and soul, doing so, however, upon the condition that they will be acquired via the means commanded and ordained by God. The spiritually valiant person is acquainted with them, loves them, believes the promises, and anticipates them in hope. With this perspective he initiates his endeavor, follows after it, and seeks to apprehend it. In this work much resistance is encountered: loss of honor, possessions, and even life. One will encounter shame, contempt, ridicule, hatred, opposition from every perspective, poverty, illness, and all manner of adversity. All of that has the potential to engender fear, and through fear to cause either full or partial cessation of the endeavor. Spiritual courage will not yield, however, but will persevere all the more vehemently. It cannot be moved by anything; it does not even count life dear (Acts 20:24). While thus engaged, the soul may suffer from spiritual desertion and strife. Faith may be assaulted, and hope both shaken and tossed to and fro, so that the inner turmoil is frequently overwhelming. The courageous person, however, proceeds as if blind, does not succumb, keeps courage, and battles as a courageous hero, defending himself and inflicting injury to the enemies. However, an additional evil arises -- an evil which has a more far-reaching effect than the previous evil: the old Adam. It flatters, entices, and causes the person to go astray. Here he stumbles, there he falls, then he receives a grievous wound and then again a deadly wound in his soul. That which is good is neglected, the evil is committed, and this is able to make a spiritual soldier unbelieving concerning his state, and cause him to feel hopeless and become discouraged. However, spiritual strength looks beyond that as well. If the believer cannot remain upright with his burden, he will crawl with it, and if he succumbs to it, he will rise again and renew the battle with new courage. If he cannot see his way through, he believes in and relies upon the Lord Jesus, commends the outcome to Him, and is determined to persevere, regardless of what the cost may be. If the enemy is too strong and he is overcome, he will nevertheless do his best and not surrender -- he who is put to the worst in the battle is also fighting. Thus, both good and evil are the objects of the activity of spiritual strength. The Essence of Spiritual Strength The integral essence of spiritual strength consists in a valiant steadfastness of heart. This in turn consists, first of all, in there being a lively hope. The benefits hoped for are so desirable that they can endure all that is uncomfortable. Hope in the faithfulness and truthfulness of the promising God makes acquisition such a steadfast and unquestionable fact, that the stronger the believer is in this respect, the stronger his courage will be.
Secondly, it consists in victory over fear. Nature shrinks back from suffering and seeks to avoid it. The courageous person conquers fear, however, for he sees that there is no other way to obtain the desired benefits, while at the same time he realizes that everything which is in opposition has no power to conquer him and prevent him from reaching his objective, omnipotent help being on his side. Thus, fear disappears. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid" (Psalms 27:1); "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" (Psalms 23:4).
Thirdly, it consists in perseverance in the performance of one’s duty. This consists in a courageous entering upon the way which leads to the possession of the benefits hoped for, while awaiting all that may be encountered. Thus, such a person proceeds, in dependence upon God and Christ and relying upon His help.
These three matters constitute valiant steadfastness of heart, or spiritual courage. Observe this disposition in the following passages: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life ... nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35
First, God grants a clear vision of the glory of the end to be attained, that is, of the benefits to be acquired. He presents the acquisition of them as being a certain and immovable fact. The more clearly the intellect perceives the end in view and the more powerfully the heart is assured of its certainty, the greater spiritual strength will be and the more fervent its manifestation will be. Observe this in the Lord Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2). Observe this also in Moses, who esteemed "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward" (Hebrews 11:26). Secondly, God assures the soul of His help and support, and impresses upon the heart His promise relative to this. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10). A believer receives these promises by faith and strengthens himself by means of them. As someone who in a storm finds himself too weak to remain standing takes hold of a post or a tree and remains standing due to its immobility, the courageous person likewise takes hold of the strength of the Lord, and thus remains strong and unyielding. "Let him take hold of My strength" (Isaiah 27:5). This is what David did. "But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6).
Thirdly, the Lord shows the limitations, insignificance, and impotence of all that opposes. He shows that the honor of man, their love, the goods of this world, and all that appears beautiful and glorious in it, are in reality nothing, and that he can miss all this and nevertheless be joyful (Habakkuk 3:17-18). The Lord shows that He is his portion -- his all-sufficient portion (Lamentations 3:24), and that all that is beautiful in this world when compared to this portion is but dung (Php 3:8). He shows that all the hatred, evil, and persecution of men is nothing more than a bag of air, since they can neither move nor stir apart from the will of God -- and that poverty, adversity, etc., are but a light tribulation which will very readily pass by (2 Corinthians 4:17). Hereby souls are fortified to such an extent that they even take "pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ‘s sake," for when they are weak, they are strong. They thus glory in their tribulations in order that the power of Christ may rest upon them (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Fourthly, the Lord shows them the goodness and righteousness of the matter which they are undertaking -- showing them that He has commanded them to do so and that it is not their cause but His. This makes them courageous in the battle. They deem it to be to their honor that they, for Jesus‘ sake, may battle against the enemies and that they are wounded in this battle. This enabled the apostles -- in an astonishing manner -- to speak with freedom before the great council (Acts 4:13), and having been scourged, to depart "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41).
Fifthly, the Lord shows them the ungodliness and the unrighteousness of those who oppress them. As they acknowledge the Lord to be a righteous Judge, they thus observe that He hates their persecutors, their cause, and their objectives. He Himself will therefore strive against them and reward them according to their iniquities. This engenders courage, and while triumphantly exulting over them, they say, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them" (Psalms 118:6
Sixthly, the Lord shows them the help which He has previously afforded them -- both according to body and soul. It is as if He says, "When you considered everything lost; when you had already pronounced the sentence of demise and death upon yourself; when unrighteous things had the upper hand over you, your faith succumbed, your hope was almost at an end, your spiritual life was in a stupor, and when you indeed thought, =It is done and it will never be right with me again,‘ have not I then frequently delivered you?" This experience renders much strength. "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37); "Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us" (2 Corinthians 1:10).
Seventhly, the Lord comforts the soul engaged in warfare by inwardly assuring her of His grace. It is as if He says to her, "My grace is sufficient for thee. If I am your God, if I forgive you all your sins, love you, preserve you by My power, and shall eternally glorify you, is all then not well? Therefore, I do this and shall do it. I shall neither leave you nor forsake you. Be therefore courageous and I shall be with you. The evil which you fear either cannot or will not be able to bring upon you what you fear. Or else, I shall give you sufficient strength to bear it and I shall cause it to turn out for your best. =When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee‘ (Isaiah 43:2) -- I shall be with thee. Be therefore of good courage and fight valiantly." When the soul is comforted in such a manner, it is as if she receives wings to mount as an eagle, to run and not be weary, and to walk and not faint.
Eighthly, despair at times also generates strength -- which is most amazing. If, due to fear, you do nothing but shrink back; if you have given in to everything; if you are in the lowest condition and have despondently succumbed to the cross; if in all things you go along with the world; if during persecutions you have hidden yourself, been hypocritical, and have denied the truth; if in every respect you have followed your lusts and appear to have been conquered by them, behold, then that life which is still concealed within begins to manifest itself and you will receive strength from your weakness. You will wax "valiant in fight," and turn "to flight the armies of the aliens" (Hebrews 11:34). Just as fire breaks forth all the more vehemently due to being compressed by surrounding cold or something else, so it also occurs with the believer. The conscience is aroused, faith becomes active, and fear disappears, for he has nothing to lose -- it cannot be worse. He will thus come forward again and manifest who he is. He will become stronger than he has ever been before. The weak person will say, "I am strong" (Joel 3:10). This we occasionally observe in those who have denied the truth, namely, that they recant and endure the fire with much more courage than someone who has remained steadfast. The Effects of Spiritual Courage The effect of spiritual courage is a courageous prevailing in the battle and perseverance in obedience toward God. That competence or propensity which never translates into deeds is useless. God has given His children grace for that very purpose -- not that it would remain dormant and concealed within them, but in order that they would labor with it. Particularly, this courageous valor cannot remain hidden if the opportunity is there -- and there always are opportunities. The enemies are always engaged in battle against grace in the believer for the purpose of eradicating it, or to prevent it from being exercised. Believers are always surrounded by the Lord‘s injunctions to either do or refrain from something. There is thus always opportunity for the exercise of spiritual courage.
First, the believer perseveres in the battle. A Christian must continually be in armor, for he is in the church militant. The enemies, the devil, the world, and the flesh are continually active and continually make assault upon his life. He must therefore continually be active in resisting them. The command is: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate" (Luke 13:24); "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3); "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:12).
(1) In a battle something desirable is at stake, which in this case is spiritual life here and felicity hereafter. The enemies rise up against this, wish to rob the believer of this, and prevent him from manifesting this life.
(2) The believer knows the enemy -- he knows who he is and what his objective is. Believers are indeed acquainted with the devil, the world, and their own flesh, and the enemies are in turn acquainted with them.
(3) There is enmity in the heart. Thus, there is here not only a total contradiction of natures, which cannot but seek to expel each other, but these also stand in each other‘s way and mutually rob each other of joy. Therefore they cannot tolerate each other‘s presence.
(4) There is subtlety in trying to gain the advantage. Enemies are cunning in taking advantage of every opportunity, and thus a Christian, even though he is as harmless as a dove, is also as wise as a serpent.
(5) There is the use of violence. Enemies have great power which they exercise to the utmost with no regard for either body or soul. The believer in himself has but little strength, but by the omnipotent help of God he resists them in everything and does not yield in anything.
(6) There is the ultimate outcome of the battle. During the battle first the one and then the other will have the upper hand, but believers will at last be more than conquerors.
Since the Christian has such enemies, he is in need of strength and courage -- both of which he uses. Having overcome fear, he, attacks them with spiritual weapons and courageously breaks through their battle arrays and tramples them under foot.
Secondly, a courageous person is not satisfied with repelling and expelling his enemies; rather, at the same time he also perseveres courageously in order to effect obedience toward God. He lifts up his heart in the ways of the Lord as Jehoshaphat did (2 Chronicles 17:6). Secretly, as a matter between God and himself, he does what the Lord wills him to do, and externally manifests himself to be a Christian by his deeds. He does what needs to be done and says what needs to be said. He is not disturbed by the barking of those dogs and lets them know this. He courageously proceeds and causes them to yield, saying with David, "Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God" (Psalms 119:115). Such is the nature of spiritual courage. The Unconverted: Void of Spiritual Valor and Courage
Having thus presented the nature of spiritual valor and courage, this will be a satisfactory mirror to show the unconverted that they do not possess it at all, and to convince the godly of their deficiency in this respect.
First, the unconverted have neither part in nor desire for the spiritual and eternal benefits of the covenant of grace. They are without promises, without hope, and are not exercised concerning the acquiring of them. They therefore also have no enemies which try to rob them of these. In this respect there is nothing but peace with the devil, the world, and the flesh. If they have troubles, these are related to either the acquisition or preservation of earthly things. If it pertains to a refraining from sin, there will be a battle between the conscience and the will. If they are troubled about their salvation, it relates to God‘s pronouncement of the sentence of condemnation in their heart if they fail to repent, and sometimes it already is the beginning of condemnation itself. Whatever it may be, there is no valor proceeding from having received strength from the Lord Jesus.
Secondly, when they are or will be engaged in some external religion, all they do is but of a lukewarm and feeble nature. It is only a soothing of the conscience or to acquire something of an external nature. If they can attain this without the external practice of religion, even the most insignificant issue is capable of drawing them away from the practice of religion. Even all that they do in this respect is, when considered in and of itself, a burden and weariness to them, and their proceeding is no more than at the pace of a donkey and a turtle.
Thirdly, there are those who have somewhat more light and also some inclination to repent, live godly, and confess the truth of the gospel. Something remote occurs, however, which could yield them some harm and shame; or it is the time of persecution and there is the prospect of imprisonment, the stake, the gallows, the sword, or being sent to the galleys. Fear will then come upon them and prevent them from proceeding any further, which causes them to dissemble, saying, "Stop, enough of this!" Where is there evidence of the courage here which conquers fear out of love for God and toward spiritual benefits?
Fourthly, some fear damnation and wish to be in heaven subsequent to their death. They also perceive what the way to heaven is, but they do not see how they can traverse this way, and thus yield to desperation and despondency. That halts all their activity, and they have nothing left but an anxious and terrified heart. Or they will drive this despondency away by yielding to their sinful lusts, and thus the conscience is numbed. Or else they may commit suicide, and thus jump into the very hell which they feared.
Fifthly, there are those whose disposition resembles spiritual courage to some degree. Nothing is further from the truth, however. They join themselves to the godly, finding delight in being loved and esteemed by them. They speak in a haughty manner, rebuke others, engage in disputes, persevere, and neither fear harm nor shame. They are, however, neither motivated by love for spiritual benefits, by an assured hope, in dependence upon and reception of Christ‘s strength, nor by obedience toward God. It is nothing more than a foolish passion which does not fear danger -- either due to not being acquainted with the danger or due to imagining that it neither exists nor will come to pass. It may be the pursuit of their own glory, as if they were saying, "See my zeal for the Lord." Or they have a brazen and bold disposition, this being the principle which motivates them. They are engaged without having the proper objective in view, without being united to Christ and being active in His strength, and without Christian prudence governing such valor. This is therefore not spiritual courage, but a sinful foolishness, feignedness, and brazenness.
All whom we have discovered as to who you are, be it known that you have neither spiritual life, faith, hope, nor spiritual valor. How will you be saved if, first of all, the violent take heaven by force (Matthew 11:12), if no one will be crowned except they who have fought a lawful fight, and if only they who run obtain the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24)? What is to become of you who are lazy, fearful, hotheaded, foolish, reckless, brazen, and bold? Secondly, impress it upon your heart what God says of such as you are, "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). That which is written in Revelation shall come upon you: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:16); "But the fearful ... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8). The Godly Rebuked for Their Deficient Strength
Now I shall address myself unto you, the godly. I would rather comfort you; however, I cannot endure sin and I must therefore address a word of rebuke unto you so that you may become well. You have observed the nature of spiritual valor and this will already have shown you your deficiency in this respect. We shall present this a bit further to you so that you may abhor its unseemliness and sinfulness, and that you lift yourself up out of your deficiencies.
First, many spend but little time in reflecting upon the benefits -- which, so to speak have been put on display for the purpose of obtaining them by way of valiantly striving for them. We ought to live in reflection upon eternal glory until it far excels all that is desirable, delightful, joyous, and lovely; so that it would excite our desires to acquire them as our only salvation. How delightful it ought to be to us, in this life, to walk with God in love, fear, and obedience, and thus to behold the invisible things with a heart that is elevated above all that is visible! We are very neglectful in this respect, however, and thus, the desire to attain this becomes weaker and the natural desire for that which is visible becomes greater. The result will then be that the goal in view will not strongly motivate to activity. Since the heart focuses upon various matters, it will be less intent upon that one thing it ought to focus on, and we shall then not be able to find satisfaction with the spiritual unless this be complemented with temporal matters. This is the fountain of all restlessness and weakness in the activity.
Secondly, we shall then neither be aware of the enemies, nor that the devil goes about us as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We shall not be aware that the world will alternately seek to steal the heart and draw it to itself, either by way of endearment or by way of disfavor -- and thus bring us into snares which cannot be disentangled. We shall not be aware that our corrupt nature is continually engaged in obstructing us in doing that which is good as well as in enticing us to sin. This will render us more careless as far as preserving what we possess and in acquiring that which the regenerated nature would delight to have. We do not fear where we ought to fear, and thus the hands will hang down and the knees will be feeble.
Thirdly, when we increasingly lose sight of our objective and focus on earthly things instead, fear will grip our heart. We fear where we ought not to fear. The prospect of injury, shame, the backbiting of many by the deceitful saying of all manner of evil, poverty, persecution, death, and whatever else is contrary to nature, have great power in us to stir up fear in spite of all exhortations to the contrary. "And fear not them which kill the body" (Matthew 10:28); "Fear not, little flock" (Luke 12:32); "Why are ye fearful" (Matthew 8:26); "Be careful for nothing" (Php 4:6). In spite of such truths, we tremble and shudder for the present, and mostly for the future. This fear robs us of courage, hinders us in our duty, and draws us away to that which is not becoming. Where the spiritually courageous person overcomes fear, we who ought to be courageous will be overcome by fear. We allow ourselves to be abused by the enemy, and the heroes perish in the battle. Where is this bold steadfastness?
Fourthly, we are weak in all spiritual activity; that is, in prayer, striving against the enemies (particularly our besetting corruptions), in the exercise of virtue -- all of which our circumstances continually demand. We shall engage in some activity, for spiritual life is existent. Everything is performed in such a lethargic fashion, however, and it is such a heavy task. It proceeds so intermittently, and the initial zeal and fervency have grown so very cold. We do not manfully persevere in obedience toward God. A temporal cross will make us immediately discouraged, and if matters do not proceed according to our wishes, we immediately become weak in faith in regard to our spiritual state. We shall doubt the love of God, His hearing of prayers, and His providence. Everything comes into a state of disarray and we proceed as if half asleep or as if near collapse. "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Proverbs 24:10).
Although God will not bring upon His children those judgments which will come upon the unconverted due to their unprofitableness, lukewarmness, and fearfulness, they nevertheless need to be deterred from such sins, "for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 5:6). Furthermore, the lack of courage yields them nothing but unrest and spiritual anxiety. It entangles them more and more in all manner of sin, and the enemies become more powerful, holding them captive for a longer period of time. One will not overcome this by yielding to a lack of earnestness. "(Be) not slothful in business; (be) fervent in spirit" (Romans 12:11); "Be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19).
Exhortation to be Courageous
Therefore, all you who fear the Lord, who find yourself under the yoke of your enemies, who have little strength to offer resistance, and who moreover use that little strength ineffectively, give ear and permit your heart to be of a willing disposition to be aroused as I engage myself to stir you up to be courageous in the battle.
First, hear the voice of the Lord and permit His address to you to lift up your hearts. As Lazarus arose from the dead upon hearing the voice of Christ, may you thus also be quickened from your lukewarm indolence to a noble courage. This is the Word of God to you: "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them" (Deuteronomy 31:6); "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13); "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not" (Isaiah 35:4); "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees" (Hebrews 12:12).
Secondly, should not you be courageous in the battle? There is no other way to heaven except by way of courageous warfare. This is the way ordained by God: "And I will put enmity" (Genesis 3:15). You have chosen this way when you entered into the kingdom of Christ and placed yourself under His banner. Or on the other hand: you must either sever yourself from the covenant, as a villain walk away from this ensign, and relinquish God, heaven, and everything else; or you must courageously engage in battle in order thus to conquer the devil and his cohorts, the world and all that is in it, as well as sin and all its lusts. The crown of glory must be worth so much to you; so precious must spiritual life and fellowship with God be to you, and such pleasure must you find in the will of God, that you will be willing to battle valiantly all the days of your life. Do not let this weigh heavily upon your heart, thinking, "Must I be in arms and engage in warfare my entire life? Must there be such an exertion of strength my entire lifetime? That is indeed a distasteful way and there is no way whereby I will persevere." Yes, heaven must be that precious to you; or else you must relinquish it. Be it known, however, that to battle courageously is not such a heavy task as you allow yourself to believe. To always battle and succumb, or always to be equally matched in force, causing the outcome of the battle to be in doubt, is indeed a heavy task. It is a joyous task, however, to conquer as you are fighting, to proceed while conquering one city after another, and to humiliate the enemy battle after battle. Such will be the case if you but conduct yourself courageously, commensurate with your strength -- be it that you battle as a child, a young man, or a man. You are so fearful of the battle because you do not proceed courageously; instead, due to your laxity, carelessness and lack of seriousness, you give the enemy the opportunity to get the advantage over you. This makes them more courageous and you become weaker. Therefore, lift yourself up in the ways of the Lord and courageously engage yourself. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Thirdly, reflection upon your spiritual state is suitable to stir you up to be courageous. The Lord has chosen you unto salvation, has drawn you out of the power of your enemies, and called you as He called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees and Israel out of Egypt. He has placed you among His children in the kingdom of His Son. You have been born of God, and are thus God‘s offspring, children of the King (Psalms 45:9
Fourthly, attentively take note of both the nature and the strength of the enemies, and this will make you all the more valiant. They are so evil that they will neither tolerate the least manifestation of good, nor the least motion of spiritual life. The more you yield to them, the more they demand from you and the more they gain in strength. They will neither cease nor become tired until they would have dragged soul and body into hell. They directly oppose the majestic and holy God as well as your beloved Lord Jesus. Can you witness and endure this in good conscience? Furthermore, they are despicable, vile, abhorrent, and abominable. Who can think about them without being indignant? And would you allow yourself to be overpowered by them? They have already been conquered by the Lord Jesus, for He has bruised the head of the devil (Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 2:14), conquered the world (John 16:33), and robbed sin of its dominion (Romans 6:2
Fifthly, take notice that everyone‘s eye is upon you, and give heed as to how you conduct yourself in this battle. You have entered the arena together with the enemy, and the spectators are standing roundabout to witness the battle. On the one side stands your King, together with the holy angels and believers. Their heart is one with you, and they are desirous that you would be the victor. Christ‘s cause is yours and your cause is His and theirs. They will rejoice and glory if you are victorious. On the other side are the devils and the world. They gnash their teeth and would love to see harm done to the cause of Christ by your being conquered. Will you therefore be weak in the battle? Will you allow yourself to be conquered in the presence of everyone? Will you cause this indignity to come upon Christ, who is a witness of this battle, has invited everyone to observe your courage, and inspires you to be courageous? Will angels (if this were possible) as well as the godly be covered with shame and be grieved because of you? Will you permit the enemy to triumph as conquerors? How would you dare to come to your King and lift up your countenance to Him? No, no -- so it ought not to be. You must be courageous as a hero so that Christ would boast of you as the Lord boasted of Job‘s steadfastness (Job 1:1-22
Sixthly, recognize what your own strength is, and look to your helpers and brothers-in-arms. It is true that you have no strength by nature, and that, having been born again, you have but little strength (Revelation 3:8). Having received Christ‘s strength, however, it is yours and thus you may do all things through Christ which strengthens you (Php 4:13). Therefore, make use of it; run with Him through a troop, and with Him leap over the wall, in order to take hold of your enemies in their strength (Psalms 18:29) -- for He girds you with strength and teaches your hands to war (vss. 32, 34). Therefore, jubilate: "The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me" (Psalms 118:7).
Seventhly, reflect upon those who have engaged in battle before you and consider how blessed the outcome has been for them.
They are now crowned as conquerors -- as is to be observed in the register of the heroes of faith, Hebrews 11:1-40. "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. ... Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord" (James 5:10-11). Consider Paul: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Consider other believers who live with you -- how each of them battles according to his strength. Should all of that not arouse your courage? He who therefore may behold such a King, may be in such a magnificent army, and is surrounded by so many valiant heroes who have each decided to give their life for the Lord Jesus and to battle unto death -- should he not battle courageously?
God’s Promises for Courageous Warriors
Eighthly, take seriously to heart the promises which God has promised to courageous warriors. God will sustain you while you are engaged in battle. "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart" (Psalms 27:14).
(1) The Lord then causes believers to have a clearer view of the promised benefits in their preciousness, and to have a more lively hope toward them.
(2) He shows them the limitations and weakness of the opposition, so that believers can look beyond them and already consider themselves to be conquerors.
(3) He shows them the help He has previously given them.
(4) He comforts and encourages them.
(5) He removes fear of the opposition.
(6) He infuses strength and girds them with strength, so that even a weak believer says, "I am a mighty one." The Lord promises the crown of glory. Consider the promises found in Revelation 2:1-29 and Revelation 3:1-22 "Him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life ... shall not be hurt of the second death ... will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone ... will I give power over the nations ... I will give him the morning star ... the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels ... will I make a pillar in the temple of My God ... and I will write upon him the name of My God ... will I grant to sit with Me in My throne" (Revelation 2:7
Final Directions for This Warfare
Endeavor to conduct yourself well, however, and to engage in this task properly. "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully" (2 Timothy 2:5).
First, arm yourself therefore from head to toe. Paul teaches us what these weapons are. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour 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 always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:13-18).
Secondly, in this warfare be on your guard against:
(1) Carelessness. Do not imagine that you already have overcome when you have a good intention. Such intentions easily lose their vigor. Do not imagine that the enemy has already disappeared, for he lies in wait for you. Therefore, "Be sober, be vigilant" (1 Peter 5:8).
(2) Despondency. When the enemies are too strong for you, the warfare too heavy, and God is distant, do not give up courage, for that is as much as casting away your weapons and holding forth to the enemy (from whom no grace is to be expected anyhow) your defenseless hands. Therefore in reliance upon the strength and infallible promises of God, "Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:6).
(3) Pride and boasting in your own strength. Remember Peter who said, "Yet will I never be offended" (Matthew 26:35); "Yet will I not deny Thee" (Matthew 26:35). Then the defeat is imminent. Therefore, "Be not highminded, but fear" (Romans 11:20).
Thirdly, in this warfare:
(1) Exercise caution, and do not go beyond the boundaries of your calling. Do not engage in things which are beyond your reach and beyond your competence. Do not hastily and with impulsive passion engage yourself. Do not imagine by yourself that you have enough wisdom, but always first seek the counsel of the Lord -- however insignificant the matter or circumstance may be. A maid was strong enough to cast Peter down. In special cases seek the counsel of the godly. "He that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise" (Proverbs 12:15); "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15).
(2) Flee from those opportunities from which you are permitted to flee, and especially those by which you have frequently been entrapped. He already makes good progress who, in order to avoid sin, avoids the opportunities for sin, and does not engage in a specific endeavor unless called to do so.
(3) Be especially opposed to the sin which you are most inclined to commit, toward which your nature is most inclined, and which is related to your calling. Carefully guard against the initial manifestations, for then it is easiest to resist it. Smother the children in the cradle, catch the little foxes, and remove the dead fly which can cause the most eminent substance to stink.
(4) Always take refuge to Christ, for He is a sun and a shield (Psalms 84:11). As you permit your heart to wander away from Him, the arrow of the enemy will immediately hit you. Emulate David in this respect: "Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto Thee to hide me" (Psalms 143:9).
(5) Be continually engaged in prayer, for all your strength must come from the Lord -- and God, when He is to do something, wants to be inquired of. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation" (Matthew 26:41).