The Warrior Spirit
The Warrior Spirit is a term we use frequently, but we hardly ever define it. A Warrior is someone who participates in conflict. Spirit is the substance that comprises God’s existence (John 4:24).
God has endowed us with a Warrior Spirit. No matter what we’ve been through, He fully understands our challenges, setbacks, relapses, pain, and losses. He also knows about our worthy goal.
The Warrior Spirit is not about controlling people or proving your toughness. It entails standing up for something bigger than oneself, showing compassion, leading by example, and putting others’ needs ahead of one’s own. As Warriors, First Responders display characteristics of humility, courage, honor, integrity, strength of character, commitment, and conviction.
The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout, he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.
Isaiah 42:13
In his book Wild At Heart, John Eldredge explains that when we play at being warriors, knights, cowboys, and superheroes as children, the Warrior Spirit emerges. Often it continues into adulthood in our interest in guns, knives, and action movies. However, society has somehow convinced us that being aggressive is always wrong, toxic, and killing us. The powerful force that resides in each of us is the Warrior Spirit. Our ability to perform effectively in any situation largely relies on it. Warriors are essential in the First Responder arena; we form the thin line; we are the force that protects our communities from evil.
The character of a person who desires to shield, guard, defend, and protect people around them is portrayed in The Heart of a Warrior. The heart (soul) is the essence of a warrior. The Warrior’s greatest strength, which fuels both mind and body, is within their heart. A warrior is NOT a warrior if they are not in touch with their heart. You need to understand, connect with, and extend your heart to grow as strong and powerful as possible.
Being of centuries-old mindset, our Warrior Spirit drives us to run toward gunfire, into burning buildings, or toward cries for help. Our Warrior Spirit prevents us from abandoning our morals, regardless of the cost. True Warriors relate to two types of courage, the ability to fight to protect themselves and developing the strength and skills required to carry them out.
The true Warrior always chooses to do what is right, even when personal morals and professional ethics collide. It is impossible to emphasize the importance of the Warrior Spirit. It increases resilience, helps people succeed, and saves lives. Warriors believe in preserving life; historical evidence supports this.
True warriors dedicate themselves to self-mastery, are capable of handling change, see opportunities in obstacles, never give up, and, most importantly, fight for causes bigger than themselves. They are not always the toughest or bravest person in the room. Principles of the Warrior Spirit transform oneself and those around one.
Many of us misunderstand the Warrior Spirit. We fail to understand that male aggression, guided by society’s morals and principles, is one of the tools God gave us to protect us and encourages us to react appropriately.
The concept of the Warrior probably developed from hunters using their abilities for new purposes. In ancestral times, warriors claimed new lands for their people to live in and receive the necessary food, water, and other necessities. The Warrior calls us to man/woman up, make a stance, put in the work, and be stoic in our willingness to suffer.
What would Jesus do? It is a common question. It implies that the only virtues Jesus promotes are humility, mildness, and timidity. But the world misses that when Jesus saw immoral activity in the temple at Passover, he drove out the thieves who were defiling His Father’s house.
So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
John 2:15
Jesus’ aggression was measured and righteous because of his responsibility to guard and protect.
The doctrine of “Warrior Christianity” asserts that God and Satan are engaged in battle; therefore, we must be a “Christian Warrior.” Using the term Christian and Warrior in the same sentence seems like an oxymoron, as many see Christians as soft, pliable, accommodating, and weak. First Responders who are Christians would significantly impact the world if they adopted the warrior ethos and discipline. As a result of this change, the world would witness a resurgence of courage, leadership, selflessness, and love. The Bible describes a spiritual warrior as someone who carries themselves with dignity and feels connected to God.
Christian warriors are fierce, unrelenting, skilled, disciplined warriors who fight for the kingdom of God and shatter the devil’s works.
In his blog “WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SPIRITUAL WARRIOR?” Renzo Ruiz Haas writes:
Spiritual Warriors are those who have the COURAGE to walk a path that not many have walked before. They choose to live up to their true Spiritual Nature, becoming a catalyst for the evolution of consciousness. The Warrior in here Honours life and stays true to his soul’s Mission. Even if that means to walk away from situations, people, and things that prevent him from spreading his light in the world. He stays grounded in his truth and values in order to CREATE the world he wants to live in, to expand consciousness that will help our Mother Earth thrive and, by consequence, our universe. An appeal to dedication, obedience, and purpose can be found in the relationship between a first responder and a follower of Jesus Christ. First Responders are taught to obey commands, follow them, and put the needs of others before their own. The New Testament’s teaching is similar in that regard. The goal of a Christ-follower is to live in conformity with the grace, peace, and righteousness of the Bible. The Christ-follower is expected to adhere to Jesus’ teachings and to do so with unwavering commitment.
The Warrior Spirit is a multifaceted ideology that influences our way of life. It is a mentality that believes we can work harder, move faster quickly, and go further than the rest of society. First Responders with the Warrior Spirit live by unwavering principles, which is advantageous for whatever organization they are associated with. The training and education programs that promote the Warrior Spirit and ensure it takes root in the organization are executed by leaders to foster and preserve it.
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Characteristics of a Christian Warrior:
A Warrior is humble. No need to boast or brag about their achievements; they know their capabilities and have nothing to prove. 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6. Humble men learn. Prideful men are a liability.
A Warrior is sacrificial. Warriors understand the price they may have to pay. They train hard, endure pain and difficulty, and give up their comfort. They see their sacrifice as a service to a higher cause. 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1. Being a Warrior is the call to accept the ongoing sacrifice.
A Warrior serves a higher authority. Christian Warriors answer to a chain of command and are sent by a higher power with a mission. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song, I praise him. Psalm 28:7. Warriors serve a higher authority, and Jesus gives us a real-life purpose.
A warrior is willing to lay down their life. While no real Warrior has a death wish, as they all want to fight and win, they will give up their life for the protection of others; this is the ultimate sacrifice. This trait is what makes Warriors effective and dangerous. They are ready to sacrifice everything to fight, win, live, and, if necessary, die. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13. We need Warriors who are God-focused, not self-focused.
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
As First Responders, we swore to protect good and fight evil. Many have lost track of their priorities and have put the job first in their lives. If you are experiencing a lower than usual sense of self-worth, depression or misplaced guilt, inability to remember or talk about the trauma specifically, feeling numb emotionally, dissociation (not aware of the present moment), or a feeling of disconnection from your everyday lives, feeling hyper-aroused and vigilant for danger all the time, lashing out in irritability or unexplained anger, feeling jittery, or unable to concentrate on tasks at hand or other anxiety disorders, such as panic or intense distress, talk to someone and get help. Get back to the basics Put God First, Family Second, and the job further down in the order.
IF YOU HAVE THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, GET HELP NOW
Law Enforcement Copline (800) 267-5463
Firefighters / Medics Fire/EMS HELPLINE (800) 731-FIRE (3473)
In life’s difficult moments, we find refuge when we remember that the God we serve fights our battles alongside us. Though we face moments when we feel we can’t carry on, we take heart, knowing that in times of turmoil, God equips us to grow in our faith and draw closer to Him.
Fighting Your Battles: Every Christian’s Playbook for Victory – Jonathan Evans
