If there is anything worth emphasizing these days, it would be the need for believers to be battle-conscious. No one can be battle-ready unless they are battle-conscious. Many believers forget that they are at war, yet the Bible is very clear on this fact. Coming into God’s camp through salvation is like enlistment into the army. We find a few interesting descriptions of God in the Bible that will help us appreciate our position. Exodus 15:3 says, “The Lord is a man of war; The Lord is His name.” Added to that is Psalm 24:8 – ““Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.” Believers are on the side of a warring God and cannot in any way claim neutrality. Our text shows how Paul demonstrated the all-inclusive nature of this warfare.

No one can be battle-ready unless they are battle-conscious…Believers are on the side of a warring God and cannot in any way claim neutrality.

Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871) wrote her epic hymn CHRISTIAN SEEK NOT YET REPOSE. The idea behind the hymn is to instill battle-consciousness into believers. Here is the first stanza of the hymn – Christian, seek not yet repose/Cast thy dreams of ease away/Thou art in the midst of foes/Watch and pray! If we lose the consciousness of battle, we will easily drift to sleep. The enemy will take advantage of our slumber to execute all his wicked plans and cause great havoc. It is necessary to pray like the Psalmist to not sleep the sleep of death.