What Kind of Warrior are You?

We are all warriors.  We are all fighting some kind of battle.  Some of us are winning, some of us are losing.  Some of us have no idea what we are doing!

That warrior is dangerous - to themselves.

The way I see it, there are two kinds of warriors:  the Cowardly and the Courageous.  Remember, we are all fighting for something, or against something.  As you read through these descriptions, think about what kind of warrior you are.

Oh, and be careful.  Some of these may hurt!

The Cowardly Warrior lashes out on social media, not naming names of course, but giving themselves a powerful slap on the back that they put "that person" in their place.  Doing this may make the Coward feel like a king, but the reactions of the reader runs the gamut from head scratching to anger.  It is a passive aggressive, immature way of dealing with the punches of life. 

The Courageous Warrior honors the principles of Matthew 18.  Jesus said, "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over."  (verse 15)  The Courageous One will choose biblical foundations over temporary flashes of temper.  

The Cowardly Warrior cannot accept instruction or correction.  When offered wisdom and truth, the Coward takes no responsibility and makes no amends.  He slinks away and licks his wounds, and never grows emotionally, mentally or spiritually.

The Courageous Warrior remembers the wisdom of Proverbs:  "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."  (4:13)  Courage knows that it is not enough to listen to wisdom; you must act on it, put it into practice.

The Cowardly Warrior has evidence of immaturity and ignorance in her life:  broken relationships, lost jobs, bad credit.  Folly is clearly running the show in the Coward's life.  But they have chosen to blame others, instead of taking responsibility.

The Courageous Warrior has evidence of maturity and wisdom in her life:  long relationships, established work, good reputation.  She is known for her good decisions, just as Solomon was:  "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  (2 Chronicles 1:10)  God-given wisdom is at the forefront of her life.  When she makes mistakes, she steps forward, takes responsibility, and moves on.

The Cowardly Warrior allows outward circumstances to dictate their actions:  a bad day drives bad decisions.  The mildest of circumstances can transform them - weather, friends, even the news.  When they hear gossip, they allow it to fuel their fire, and turn around and burn others.  No one is safe from their ire.

The Courageous Warrior knows that they must rise above all circumstances.  They remember the words of Paul is Philippians 4:11-12:  "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."  Courage trusts that God uses all circumstances for His glory, whether it is something as simple as a traffic jam, or as complex as illness.  

The Cowardly Warrior is quick to point out the fault of others, and how those faults affect them!  They show no grace, no mercy, no love or forgiveness to friend or stranger, should that person dare to cross them in anyway.  The Coward is extremely touchy; always upset about something, always on a soapbox, always frustrated and unhappy about the world.  They are constantly judging others while insisting no one judge them.

The Courageous Warrior knows that Jesus meant what he said:  "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' wen all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"  (Matthew 7:2-4)

Courage recognizes their own sinful bent, and with a thankful heart for their own forgiveness, offers forgiveness to others.  They are not touchy, sensitive, or needy.  They rely on Jesus to meet their needs, soothe their hearts, renew their strength.

The Cowardly Warrior likes to think that no one is watching them.  When someone cuts him off in traffic for example, he yells, even using hand gestures, knowing that his fellow motorist is long gone and has no idea what he's doing.  But you know who is watching?  His children.  His spouse.  His God.

The Coward only wants to be noticed when he is doing something right.  He expects to be overlooked when he is doing something wrong, and will take no notice of the damage he causes to the little eyes and ears that see and hear.  And it's not just family - the people in the office, in the Sunday School class, in the grocery store line - they all see.  They all hear.  They all know.  They see you scowl.  They hear you complain.  They are watching, and they know what you do.

The Courageous Warrior knows that the real life is a transparent life.  He remembers that God is always watching, always there.  Courage knows that he must be open to inspection.  "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."  (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Courage doesn't need to hide his actions during the day.  Courage doesn't need to hide his actions from others.  Courage encourages both friend and foe to look to him - not because he thinks he is perfect.  Because he is not!  But Courage knows he lives under grace.

Finally, the Cowardly Warrior believes lies.  She believes that she cannot control her own behavior, that she "can't help the way she is."  Wallowing in this belief, she doesn't reach for a higher ideal of life.  She chooses to stay complacent.

The Courageous Warrior consistently reaches for more.  Not more stuff, or fame, or money.  She reaches for a deeper life, a deeper love.  She has the power and strength to reach because she knows how deep God is!  Courage believes Paul's words in Ephesians 3:  "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."  (17-18)

I hope these words today will encourage you.  Challenge you.  Call to you.  I assume that you are like me - I find myself in some areas of cowardice, some areas of courage.  I hope that these truths will inspire us all to walk away from being cowards, and run towards courage.