The Bible often uses the picture of military battle, fighting, and warfare to describe the Christian life. Paul exhorted Timothy, “Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV). He also wrote that he had “fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV). Jesus told His own disciples, as they were going out into the world and being an influence for Him, that the gates of hell would not prevail against them as the church (see Matthew 16:18). We may not fully understand the meaning of this phrase, but the disciples would have. In that day, when a military offensive was launched against a city, one of the first strategies was to bring in a battering ram, knock down the gate, and defeat the opposing army.

When it comes to the Christian life, we will either gain or lose ground. We will either win or lose. But we have to be involved in the spiritual battle. Spiritual pacifists will be knocked down, because the Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. It is up to us to fight the good fight of faith. So, we had better suit up and learn the principles from God’s Word that teach us how to be more than conquerors in Jesus Christ.