Christ's Soilders

4For every soldier called to active duty must divorce himself from the distractions of this world so that he may fully satisfy the one who chose him.

5An athlete who doesn’t play by the rules will never receive the trophy, so remain faithful to God!  [2 Timothy 2:4-5 TPT]

We have been predestined to become children of the King of Kings. When he drew us to himself, and we said "yes" to the call to follow him, we became enlisted soldiers of God's army, the Kingdom of Light. The kingdom of light is hostile to the kingdom of darkness. We are now engaged in a spiritual war. Christ followers who are filled with the Holy-Spirit vs. those who have an Anti-Christ spirit.  The apostle Paul enlightens us with the battle surrounding us. We cannot ignore it; we cannot deny it. The spiritual realm is just as real as the physical realm we live in. The book of Ephesians states in verse 11 of the 6th chapter,"11Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser!  12Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms.  For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. 13Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious."[Ephesians 11-12] I encourage you to read the whole chapter for greater understanding.

This world is full of many distractions, deceptions, and lusts that will lure our soul in to become entangled by its dark web. We must resist. We must cling to the Word of God. We must separate ourselves from all unrighteousness. Our soul born into sin longs to crave its flesh. We must not entertain darkness. As born-again believers we should desire the spiritual fruit of self-control. According to the Webster's dictionary self-control means to have restraint, exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires. There is a powerful and supernatural work of the Holy-Spirit within the believer that empowers to live a holy life and resist the enemy.  Timothy writes to the church to divorce the affairs of this world.  This involves a distinct separation of union between you and the world.  We are called to be set apart and different from the world. We are called to be hot for the things of the Kingdom of God, not cold, nor lukewarm. Some become lukewarm when they began to compromise. However, if we are told to become soldiers of Christ, you cannot win victory of a battle by playing both sides. We must choose to be al in, sold out on fire, burning with love and devotion of Jesus.

Today let's adopt the mindset of an athlete who is training to win the prize. This prize is eternal, and the reward is Jesus.

Pray this with me: "Lord, I’m longing for more of your salvation, for I want to do what pleases you." Psalms 119:66 TPT

Make me a self-controlled solider who burns with a desire to follow you and abandon this world, amen.

Reference: Self-control Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster