WARRIOR ACTIONS

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17

We talk a lot about the warrior attitude. This is essentially the radical perspective on following Christtaking up our crosses, seeking Gods kingdom first, recognizing that our first and ultimate duty is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is a faith. As James emphasizes (and Anders Johannsen brought up), Faith equals Action. Therefore, a true warrior attitude (faith) equals warrior actions. Which brings up the question:

What does a Warrior do?

A Warrior TRAINS. If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 1 Timothy 4:6 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Titus 2:12 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

Recognizing that everything in life is training, a warrior will focus learning, developing and practicing what it takes to fight successfully. This includes:

Effectively managing time

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12) Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Colossians 4:5 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16-17

Reviewing past actions and current knowledge

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16

Identifying weak areas

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. Proverbs 4:23-27

Seeking excellence in all things

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, Philippians 1:10 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Striving for total competency

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29

Key Areas: Finances, Business, Leadership, Communication, Protection

Developing good habits

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13

Training Physically, Spiritually and Intellectually.

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:6-8 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' Mark 12:30

Constant Practice
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14

A Warrior DEFENDS those who cannot defend themselves

True religion In a demonstration of true, Christ-focused chivalry, a warrior will stand up for the weak and defenseless. This includes:

Understanding the enemy Protecting those around him Meeting needs with generosity and service
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. Titus 3:14

Behaving as a gentleman
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Embracing a specific focus on widows and orphans

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

Being polite Going out of his way to serve

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

Proactively finding the weak and helpless

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Active intercessory prayer

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 1 Timothy 2:1

Understanding the basics of medical aid

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:13-15

Understanding the basics of use of force in physical protection

A Warrior FIGHTS the good fight.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight A central characteristic of the warrior mentality is understand that we are in a war. Wars are composed of a series of battles, and we are in a battle every second of every day. It is imperative for a warrior to study the fight we are in, and then attain competency at effective warfare. This involves:

Understanding the source of our strength

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10

Studying the enemys tactics, weapons and weaknesses

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Developing effective tactics and strategies for success

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Understanding our weaponry and its proper usage

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13

Maintaining the logistical support network

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Building allies up
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Philemon 1:7

Seeing who will win

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." Genesis 3:15

Being fearless
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

A Warrior ENDURES hardships

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 Timothy 3:1

Any soldier will tell you that war is not pleasant. The Christians lot on this earth is one fraught with suffering, struggles and difficulties at every corner. The warrior will understand this and understand why we can endure. Developing endurance requires:

Maintaining a proper focus

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Having the right perspective

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:3-4

Being prepared for the worst Possessing the trait of valor

A Warrior PREPARES for the future

A warrior will anticipate upcoming threats and study how to best deal with them. This involves:

Being aware of the present situation Analyzing current trends, Biblical prophecies and other sources of information Stockpiling equipment and supplies Training in areas of weaknesses
All of this is helpful for the warriors development, but of equal importance is:

What a Warrior Doesnt Do:

A Warrior doesnt become ENTANGLED in civilian pursuits
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 2 Timothy 2:4

Civilian Pursuits: What does the world do?: Anxiety, materialism, entertainment.

A Warrior doesnt LOSE FOCUS through distractions

Distractions could include debates/controversy, games and entertainment, all of these steps!

A Warrior doesnt ENGAGE in HARMFUL ACTIVITIES

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of

God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:1-8 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Proverbs 31:4-5

Things we might do that are harmful could include any kind of drug use, drinking, dumb stuff.

A Warrior doesnt LOOK BACK

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13

Looking back could include fantasy, vain imaginations, complaining or grumbling.