Analogies between mortal and spiritual combat abound. In my experience, soldiering offers valuable insights in three key areas of Christian life: leading, training and serving.
Just as good soldiers follow orders, Christians are called to follow Christ’s commands and not those of the world (2 Tim 2:3-4). The Lord says there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for one’s friends (Jn 15:13). This sounds simple, but it requires courage and discipline.
To be disciplined, soldiers train relentlessly for combat by pushing their minds and bodies. Christians discipline their bodies as well (1 Cor 9:27) by prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Church is a hospital for sinners and not a museum for saints, and we need the sacraments for healing and strength in the ongoing battle.
Our opponent does not rest, and so we must be vigilant (1 Pt 5:8). A lax sentry can doom his comrades to defeat, just as a lax father can doom his family to spiritual death.
To recognize our weakness and our need for Christ, we must be humble, practice spiritual discipline, and live in service to others. Paradoxically, to save our life we need to lose it (Mt 16:25).
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ANDREW WHISKEYMAN, Ph.D., is a retired colonel of the U.S. Army who teaches leadership, technology and information warfare. He is a past grand knight of Father Vincent R. Capodanno Council 14495 in Tampa, Fla.








