Soldiers of the Cross

The apostle John wrote that “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). The implications of this verse are not to be taken lightly by the follower of Christ, even though we belong to God and should live with complete confidence. Why? Because there are still spiritual battles to be fought for souls. While light exist inside of believers, darkness exist inside of non-believers. The ancient battle of light versus dark still wages on. As a believer there must always be awareness and acknowledgement of the spiritual warfare within. With the victory secured by Christ, Satan has no power over us, unless we allow him. “If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Since our flesh is crucified, Satan has no power in our lives. But when we drift into carnality we become like the world and give ourselves over to the world’s way of thinking, thus relinquishing control to Satan.

When we understand that the whole world is under the influence of Satan it opens our eyes to why bad things happen. When you combine the wickedness of the human heart with the darkness of Satan’s schemes, we have genuine understanding of why Boko Haram has and continues to slaughter thousands of people, why ISIS is beheading Christians in Iraq and Syria, and why evil seems to be increasing at such a rapid pace. So can a follower of Christ just stroll around casually in this world? Not if he or she wants to effective for their King and the kingdom of God. We are called and expected to be soldiers of the cross. Time is short and there are battles to be fought on our knees and for souls. There is work to be done and as soldiers we must be trained and combat ready.

Satan can’t stand against a combat ready soldier of Christ. However, he will still come to tempt, corrupt, lie, destroy, accuse, and deceive. On this earth, enemy forces come to conquer, kill, enslave, and lay waste to everything in their path and it is essential that we understand that God is permitting and allowing Satan (our enemy) to do only so much until he is thrown into the abyss.

A soldier stands ready and watchful for enemy activity and then responds according the training they have received. Unfortunately very few Christians are prepared and equipped to “stand against the tactics of the Devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Satan caused the fall of the human race, but was defeated on the cross. Nevertheless he is loose on earth and is causing havoc through his world system.