revjoaquinwillisweb.gifWe live in difficult days, in the midst of a societal spiritual war.  To survive, we must become “Spirit Warriors.”

All of us have good and evil in us, to equip us for life, and to shape our character.  We try to be good, to obey God, but often fail, giving up control to Satan.  Only the Holy Spirit can lead us toward a blessing.  An evil spirit positions us for disaster.  

In Mark (5:28), we learn of a woman suffering from the issuance of blood.  She is led by the Spirit of God to Jesus for healing.  At this time, mankind had not received the Holy Spirit, Christ had not yet died.   Scripture relates the woman’s plea, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Her faith and positive spirit facilitated her healing. She sensed the danger of her medical condition, and knew that God, through Jesus, could help her.  

The strength of a Spirit Warrior resides in His word, which readies him to respond to God’s Spirit by seeking out, listening to, and bringing forth the truth.  

We may search for the truth as Hezekiah did, ill and near death, saying, “O Lord, remember now, how I have walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in your sight” (II Kings [20:3]).

In II Kings (20:1), Isaiah urged Hezekiah to face the truth, telling him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die.”  Upon hearing God’s word from Isaiah, Hezekiah responded by going to God in prayer. 

The Spirit Warrior often finds himself forced by circumstance to reveal the truth.  In Mark’s Gospel (5: 33), the woman with the issuance of blood is asked by Jesus, after her healing, to identify who had touched her.  “The woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had just happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.”  Jesus responded to the woman,
“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
   An inner peace is granted to those who embrace the truth.     

In times such as these, we need the Holy Spirit.  And God needs all of us to be warriors for righteousness and justice.  To take God’s side against society’s evils, we must be ready and properly attired.

Paul tells the Ephesians (6:14) to prepare for battle by putting on full gospel armor.  The warriors were to stand ready, girded in truth, with the breast plate of righteousness, wearing the sandals of peace, behind the shield of faith, wearing a helmet of salvation, ready to wield the sword of the spirit.  Today’s Spirit Warrior, like those of biblical times, must don the protective mantle and truth of the Word. 

The Rev. Dr. R. Joaquin Willis is pastor of the Church of the Open Door at 6001 NW 8th Ave., Miami.  To contact the church, call 305-759-0373 or email the pastor at  pastoropendoorc@bellsouth.net.