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Weapons
of Warfare No self-respecting Marine would ever go into combat without his weapon. The weapon of choice today is still the rifle, specifically the M16A1. A Marine prides himself in his knowledge of, and ability with, his rifle. "Every Marine is a Rifleman," is more than a catchy slogan. Marines are serious about their rifle. During boot camp two full weeks are spent training recruits in the proper "care and feeding" of their rifle. "This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life." So begins the creed of the Marine Corps. You eat with it, you sleep with it, and you carry it with you wherever you go. You learn its many parts by name and by feel so you can take it apart and reassemble it again blindfolded. You learn to do the "manual of arms," with it. And on graduation, you proudly march with it.
But most important of all, you learn to shoot it. This is the true test of all Marines. You practice until you've taught your body how to become one with this weapon. Marines are awarded bright metal badges prominently worn on their uniform displaying their proficiency in shooting. The most coveted being the Expert Badge. Of such importance was this to the Marine Corps, that as recently as WWII, Marines who only made $19.00 a month in pay could receive an extra $5.00 a month for qualifying as an Expert; $3.00 as a Sharpshooter; and $2.00 for Marksman. Conversely, if a Marine fails to qualify on the range he has nothing to show. In fact, to have no badge announces to every other Marine that you do not know how to use the most important weapon at your disposal. If you had to go into combat, you could not be relied upon to effectively use your rifle. Allow me to make a shift at this point. Christians, too, have weapons of warfare. I've been wondering lately just how effective we are in using these weapons at our disposal? "Weapons?" you ask. Why, yes indeed! Many who claim to be Christian do not even know there are weapons for them to use. Others ask why we would need weapons at all since as Christians we are to be kind. This is true. But Ephesians 6:12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Sure sounds like warfare to me! Oh, and try this passage from 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, "For though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." Hmmm. Still sounds like warfare, wouldn't you say. Okay, so if Christians are involved in warfare, spiritual warfare, then why haven't they learned how to use their weapons? You don't know what your weapons are? Okay, here's Spiritual Warfare 101. Repeat after me. "This is my Bible. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My Bible is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life." Paul (back to Ephesians 6:17) says, "Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Your first weapon is the Bible, the Word of God. Get the picture? Now for the second, but equally as important, weapon. This one Christians believe in the most, and use the least. What little they do know is often incorrect. The weapon? Why, it's prayer, of course! How about this slogan, "Every Christian is a Prayer Warrior." In I Thessalonians 5:17 we're instructed to "Pray continually." Furthermore, Paul concluded his description of Christian armor by exhorting us to pray. "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me." Any questions? These are the very weapons we are given by God to learn, and thus to master for the Master. That is how we not only survive in spiritual warfare, it is how we overcome and conquer in Jesus' Name! "You don't know how to use your weapons! Get down and give me 50 Bible verses, recruit! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" |
