And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.
Deuteronomy 20:8 KJV
What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? It is ironic that a soldier who is ready for war is fearful. Something very bad can happen to both the soldier and his partner. This is because a soldier who is afraid would not fight sufficiently. Therefore, the instruction to the fearful soldier is to go back home. This is because his fear and faintness of heart can make his brethren faint.
Your state of heart can affect those around you. If you are a soldier of Jesus Christ given to fear, there is no way the words of your mouth will not speak fear. When other believers rise to war against unrighteousness, the fearful soldier wants to retreat. Today, receive the spirit of Jesus that casts out all forms of fear. Guard your heart against anything that would sponsor fear in you. As a soldier of Christ, fill yourself with the things of God. This will help to dispel all forms of fear, which is of the devil. Be a valiant soldier of the Lord. By this, you conquer this end-time battle.
Meanwhile, the good news is that we have companions in fighting these battles. Ephesians 6:10-18 speaks of the “armour of God” that equips us for spiritual warfare. This armour includes a shield of faith, a breastplate of righteousness, and the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). We cultivate courage and overcome fear by actively filling ourselves with God’s word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
The battlefield of life may present challenges and fears, but as soldiers of Christ, we must not cower. By drawing strength from God’s word and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be valiant warriors who overcome fear and conquer in the end-time battle. Let us rise up, armed with faith and courage, to be the victorious soldiers Christ calls us to be.
