The battle is not just for cowboys and Indians. It’s for all of us. We are soldiers of Christ engaged in a war with heavenly forces under the command of the devil himself. And it can be very discouraging to look around and see what we’re up against. We’re having to fight the entertainment industry, the corporate world, political organizations, even the schools and the home. The Christian seems to be the underdog, vastly outnumbered, losing many of our own to the other side.

How can we maintain our faith and fearlessness? What can we do in the heat of the battle that will keep our focus on the fight?

Look to your Leader. He is the true source of strength and might. Remember, He is not on our side, we are on His side. That means that no matter what ammunition the enemy may amass, it will never be able to penetrate His armor. The battle belongs to the Lord. Let’s be sure we belong to Him, too.

Inspect your arms. Our Great Commander has entrusted us with a powerful weapon of warfare, “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Yet too many of us are too afraid to go and fight because we are unfamiliar with how to use it. How can it be “living and active” (Heb. 4:12) when we never take it out of its sheath? If you want to “fight the good fight” with all boldness, learn to wield your sword effectively. No one can do it for you.

Keep good company. We need each other. No matter how much our world tries to sell independence, we need the encouragement of our fellow soldiers and our fellowship. We must constantly remind one another to “be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). Instead of drawing our swords on one another, let’s draw strength from each other and concentrate our energy on our common enemy.

Remember the battle plan. We were reminded this week that the war on terror is not over. It may never be. But the outcome of our spiritual conflict was decided long ago. Jesus describes hell as a place “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). Satan will be overthrown, his army defeated, and all those who have fought for him will suffer his fate. He may be the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31) but not of the next one. Make certain that you’re on the right side, the winning one.

At the end of the day, the cowboys and Indians go back in the bag. If they’re like most of his toys, David won’t play with them much longer. He’ll find something newer, more exciting. But the battle wages on. We can’t afford to stop fighting until we hear the trumpet sound of victory. Then, our Father will call us home, where all things will always be new. It's in the bag.