The Christian Soldier’s Creed

Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.[1]

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.[2]

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.[3]

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.[4]

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)[5]

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.[6]

[1] Psalm 144:1-2, Psalm 18:32-36

[2] 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Timothy 2:22, 2 Timothy 4:5

[3] 2 Timothy 2:3, Ephesians 6:11-18

[4] 2 Timothy 2:4-5, 1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Timothy 4:8

[5] 2 Timothy 2:11-13, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 2 Corinthians 5:7

[6] Romans 3:21, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Romans 8:37, 1 Timothy 1:17