A Soldier in the Fight

When Paul calls Epaphroditus a “fellow soldier,” he’s not talking about military service. He’s naming a spiritual reality. Being a man of God means recognizing that life isn’t neutral—it’s a battleground. And every man is already in the fight, whether he realizes it or not.

Too often, we waste our energy fighting the wrong enemies. We fight for control in our homes. We fight to win arguments. We fight for our image, our success, our reputation. But Paul reminds us that our battle isn’t against flesh and blood. Our real fight is spiritual.

You were never meant to be passive. You were made for war—but not the kind that’s fueled by pride or anger. You were made to stand against sin, against temptation, against the lies of the enemy. You were made to fight for your family, your church, your brothers in Christ, and your own holiness.

In Exodus 15:3, God is called a warrior. The Hebrew name used there is Yahweh—His covenant-keeping name. That same God is fighting for His people today, and He invites you into the fight. But it’s not about bluster or bravado. Biblical strength looks like praying for your children when they’re drifting. It looks like confessing sin instead of hiding it. It looks like choosing purity when lust screams louder. It looks like holding your ground when culture says to back down.

You’ve been called into a battle that matters. And as a soldier of Christ, your weapons are not fists or fury, but faith, truth, and love. Don’t fight for yourself. Fight for others. Fight for what honors God. Because when a man stands strong in spiritual battle, everyone around him benefits.

Reflection:
Where in your life have you been fighting the wrong battles or avoiding the right ones? What does it look like to pick up the weapons of faith and stand your ground today?