The Apostle Paul was giving young Timothy a “charge” to fulfill the responsibilities of a preacher. Throughout his life, this young man would continue to show himself faithful as a Christian and as a preacher.

The thing that needs to be seen from Paul’s charge is the phrase “that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.” This charge is not applicable to preacher’s alone, but to every believer.

The Christian life is not a picnic or walk through the park. It is spiritual warfare, and when Christians see it as such, they can be successful and pleasing to God. Consider the following verses:

• II Co 10:3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
• 2Ti 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
• 1Pe 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”
• I Co. 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

As believers, we need to fight against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. They are always seeking to conform us to ways that are contrary to God and will neutralize our effectiveness as believers if we are not careful.

Soldiers constantly train and practice to maintain discipline so that they can fight well. They know their weapons and tactics, and Christians need to know how to stand using God’s weapons.

The tools and weapons that God gives us are very effective and can enable us to stand. They include the promises in the Word of God and the armor He has given us. We must always be sober and vigilant because we have an adversary who has many devices.