Heraclitus (535 to 475 BC) of Ephesus, Persian Empire wrote about men on the battlefield. ‘Out of a hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but that one is a warrior.” In his observation, only one-tenth of the soldiers are really fit, alert and competent to fight. Even among them only one is a warrior.
Paul writes that our spiritual life is a spiritual warfare: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Is Heraclitus’ observation applicable to the church or disciples?
1) Defeated: Ten percent of people give up before the conflict even begins. They are afraid and their decision to follow the Lord is not clear or sure.
2) Dejected: About eighty percent are just targets. They do not have ‘will power’ to fight. Most of them do not understand that they are involved in a war, do not know the enemy, untrained and unequipped with armour. If they cannot run with foot soldiers, how can they run with horses? (Jeremiah 12:5)
3) Determined: Only nine out of one hundred are real fighters apart from the single warrior. They are trained, equipped, and motivated. They fight valiantly, strategically, and steadfastly.
4) Distinct: Only one person out of a hundred is a warrior. These could be leaders, but fail to equip, train and motivate others.
However, God calls all believers to be Distinct Overcomers. For that they should have knowledge, character, and skills of a warrior. First, they should know that they are involved in warfare. Second, Lord Jesus is the Captain, we belong to the army of God that has assured ultimate victory. Third, we should be trained by the Lord to handle the spiritual armour. (Psalms 144:1) Four, we should put on all armour and be alert always. (Ephesians 6:14-18)
Am I prepared for spiritual warfare?