Troublesome Topic: SPIRITUAL LESSONS FROM CHIVALRY IN ANCIENT COMBAT

WE MUST FIGHT OUR SPIRITUAL BATTLES AS INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTED BY AN ARMY

If my understanding of ancient combat is correct, they went out as an army, but the fighting usually turned into numerous hand-to-hand contests. Our spiritual battles are similar. If we are involved in a local church, we are surrounded by an army which can encourage us in our personal battles. However, we fight our spiritual battles as individuals. We resist temptation as individuals; we stand for truth as individuals, we witness as individuals. Even when we are sharing in a public setting, we share and stand as individuals. But having an army around us is a great encouragement. Let’s lean on each other and seek others we can encourage in their personal battles. Let’s not try to go through things on our own.

BE PREPARED BUT TRUST IN GOD

Warriors in ancient times had to be well prepared (in good physical condition and capable with their weapons) or they would lose their lives. At the same time, most of them worked on their farm or for an employer in the city; being a soldier was something they did on the side.

It is similar for us; we fight spiritual battles every day even while working to make a living, and investing time into raising a family, etc. It is not easy to do well in both the spiritual life and the physical life, and yet we must. To achieve that balance, I am convinced we need to be purposeful about eliminating anything that hinders our walk with God and even things that seem OK, but are really clutter, consuming time, space energy and money that could be used in ways that give God glory instead of satisfying self.

At the same time, we need to trust in God, not in our level of preparedness. If these battles were simply a matter of human preparedness, we would soon find ourselves in a conflict we simply cannot win. If we are in a spiritual battle, and we are, we need spiritual help or we will be doomed to fail.

NEVER RELY ON IMPROPER METHODS EVEN IF THE ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU

In most of the stories in this study series, the odds were against “our man”. But they trusted in God and allowed God to do something extraordinary through them. However, God would not have honored them if they had used nefarious means to make up for any disadvantage they felt.

Likewise, we cannot fight good battles the wrong way and expect God to honor us. Even if victory seems impossible, do things the right way. God wants us to have to trust in Him rather than our own abilities.

Abner used trickery to gain an advantage of Asahel, but it did not end well for Abner. But Joab wasn’t any better; he didn’t just bend the rules on some occasions, he threw them out! For that, David said Joab deserved to have his grey head brought down to the grave in blood. That is the problem with not following the rules that govern any activity. We may gain a temporary advantage, but in the end those things called consequences will inevitably catch up with us. We cannot do wrong as we try to right; we cannot accomplish goals that glorify God by choosing means that do not glorify Him. That is where trust comes in. We must do our part with full integrity, and leave the results up to Him.

USE WHAT YOU HAVE

Just like one-on-one combat in ancient times required that the fighters use whatever weapon they came with (Samson could not bend down and grab a sword to replace the donkey’s jawbone), we likewise must use whatever God has placed in our lives to fight our battles against Satan, temptation, personal weakness and worldliness. We cannot fight using someone else’s weapons or strengths. For each of us, the way we fight spiritual battles will look a bit different, although certain things should be present in each of us, namely the study of God’s word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and obedience to what we learn.

DEFEND YOUR GROUND

Just like God was able to help Eleazar and Shammah stand strong against a seemingly endless number of enemy warriors, He can also help us stand against one challenge after another. If we look at the long list of challenges coming toward us, we can easily lose heart, but if we trust God for His help in each new challenge and face them one at a time, the task does not seem so daunting. Instead of freaking out about the many challenges that face us, let’s learn to trust God for each new challenge and obey Him fully in every aspect of life. He is worthy of our trust!

Just like Eleazar and Shammah defended a physical location, we need to work purposefully to retain any spiritual ground we have gained; if not, we will lose it. The difference is that losing ground in a military conflict is visible and obvious, while losing ground spiritually often happens imperceptibly, one tiny step at a time in the wrong direction. So be tenacious about maintaining a strong and intimate relationship with God, and be on the look out for negative spiritual influences in your life.

Your family is also part of the ground God wants you to defend. If you are a husband and a father, you are responsible before God to protect your family, not only from physical danger, but also from spiritual and moral dangers. So be alert and watchful for the spiritual dangers which are subtle, deceptive and even attractive. Be wise in leading your children in God’s way; don’t lead them with a forcefulness and brashness which will turn them against the Gospel. And most of all, be a good example to them.