Understanding Training for God's Army - There Are Levels!

We’ve all heard the references before to “God’s Army,” fighting spiritual battles and being a “soldier for Christ.” But, have you ever stopped to think about what that actually means? Because, as with everything with the Lord, there is a lot of meaning, importance and symbolism hidden inside these terms and it’s up to us to seek it out so we can better understand our journey with Him.

As believers, it is extremely important for us to understand how God’s “training” works, so we don’t get confused or unnecessarily upset along our own journey and so we can continually be seeking to go further with Him.

A very simple example of this is something He brought to my attention recently. When we hear a particular message, whether it’s a sermon at church or a prophetic word being delivered corporately (meaning to a group, as opposed to someone individually), the Holy Spirit will usually highlight what parts of it are “for” you and relate them to your particular situation. It’s why there can be 200 people in a room that listen to the same message, but each feel like it was delivered “just for them.”

So, that is a good thing.

But, if we don’t have the spiritual discernment or awareness yet to understand how God’s process works, we may think that every word is for us and that is definitely not the case. Meaning, a pastor may get up and deliver a very encouraging message (that was Holy Spirit-inspired) about how you are done with your testing season and are about to come out of it… but, if that isn’t actually the case for you and you take that word and run with it as your own, you will probably end up discouraged (and maybe even mad at God), wondering why what you heard doesn’t appear to line up with what you’re experiencing.

It’s not that the original word was wrong or that it wasn’t true for some people. But, it’s not true for all people at the same time.

This was something the Lord had to teach me early on in my journey and again, is not something that is being taught in the mainstream church, so it’s leaving people ill-equipped. Because it can be very easy to listen to a message that is directed toward “God’s people” and automatically assume it means you.

But, you have to recognize that everyone is NOT on the same time table with the Lord. We each are on different tracks, different time tables and different “levels” with Him. So, to assume that you are in the same season as someone else will typically end up in disappointment or at the very least, confusion.

So, how can we view this in an easy-to-understand manner? Well, like always, the Holy Spirit gave me not one, but two amazing analogies to give us a clear picture of what it looks like to “train” with the Lord.

The first one is a video game. Now, I am going to do a whole separate post/prophetic teaching about video games and their symbolism of our walk with God because the Holy Spirit gave me a LOT and it’s soooo good! So, keep an eye out for that soon. But, for now, I’ll just give you the quick version and then share the other analogy.

If you’ve played video games at all, you know that there are “levels.” That’s how you progress through the game. You start at level 1 and as you complete each one successfully, you move onto the higher levels. Within each level, there are tasks you have to complete, skills you have to learn and usually some kind of rewards or weapons you gain along the way.

It is understood when you play a video game, that this is how you progress. You know you have to start on level 1 and work your way up and would not be able to just jump in on level 14 or 25 or 100.

Well, the same is true for our walk with God. We go from “level” to “level” (or glory to glory) as we progress in our relationship with Him, so it only makes sense then, that we are not all at the same level at the same time.

And again, the reason why this is so important to understand is not only so we don’t end up in unnecessary confusion or disappointment (when we compare our current situation with someone else’s), but also, so we can have the proper attitude toward others.

There is no reason for offense, pride or jealousy when you understand this principle. Because you realize that there is no reason to feel “threatened” or offended when someone appears to have more understanding or revelation about something than you do. And likewise, there is no reason to feel prideful if you have more understanding or revelation than someone else because you were once at that lower “level” too. Most likely, not that long ago.

So, the moral of the story here is to remember that we are not all in the same season. We are not all at the same level. And, we are not all on the same time-track with God. And, THAT IS OKAY.

It’s why we have to be diligent about staying in constant communication with the Holy Spirit so we know if a particular word is for us or not. Because it may be applicable to one person at one time and then to someone else a year later, and someone else five years later. Remember, God stands outside of time. So, He can use anyone and anything to speak to you at anytime. But, it’s up to us to have the wisdom and the discernment to know what is “for” us and what is not.

Okay, now on to the main analogy and understanding how “training” with the Lord operates.

Lines in Battle

Back in the good ol’ days, when soldiers went to fight in a battle, they would stand in lines on the battlefield. A “battalion” would be formed by placing troops (of several different ranks) in lines about 1/2 a meter apart, with those in the same rank standing very close to each other (about shoulder width apart).

This is how the soldiers would advance into battle - as a unit.

They all had the same mission and the same goal - victory, but they weren’t all the same rank. And, they weren’t all standing together on the same line.

In fact, that’s where the term “front line” comes from. It refers to the foremost part of an army - those were quite literally, on the front (or first) line. They were part of a leading position and were the ones who experienced the initial, direct contact with the enemy. Because of this, this would obviously often include the most advanced tactical combat units.

And the same is true for us - God’s soldiers. We are His army. And, He is our Commander. So, He sends us out into (spiritual) battle in “lines.” We aren’t all on the same line. We all have the same mission - victory over the enemy - but, we are fighting from different “lines” based on our experience and training. And that’s a good thing! Because, I don’t know about you… but I wouldn’t want to enlist in the army and be sent straight out onto the front lines of combat before I’ve even been taught how to shoot my gun!

Which is why there is a training process that soldiers go through before they are deployed for battle.

The Training Process

The modern military definition of training is “instruction and applied exercises for acquiring and retaining knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes necessary to complete specific tasks.” Simply put, training gives you the information and skills that you’ll need to be able to do certain things successfully.

First, soldiers go through what is referred to as “boot camp” or “basic training.” This is the time period when ordinary people leave their old lives behind and are turned into fighters (again, catch that prophetic symbolism!). During this time, they learn basic fundamental skills and are instilled with discipline and obedience.

And, so it is in our training with God. He doesn’t just throw us right into the deep end of spiritual warfare right out of the gate because He knows we wouldn’t be prepared. (Remember how He took the Israelites the long way through the Philistine country because He knew if He took them the short way and they ended up facing war, they would’ve fled back to Egypt?) He doesn’t just give us huge revelations about Himself or deep revelations of the Scriptures right off the bat because He has to work us up to that. He has to establish a solid foundation first, with things like discipline and obedience, and then continues to build upon it from there.

After soldiers have successfully completed basic training, they go on to specialized training. This is when soldiers are trained on special duties related to the specific situations they would most likely face in their positions. Such as, a medic would go through medical training, a technical specialist would go through computer training, a translator through language training, etc. Specialized training also often includes field exercises and depending on their assignment, soldiers may actually train at six or more different locations as well before they are actually deployed.

Which again, is the same for us in our training for God’s spiritual army. Those who do continue to persevere and go past the “basic training level” with the Lord (because not all do) will move on to the “next level” where He begins to train them on more advanced things like their spiritual gifts. He may call them to healing ministry, prophecy, pastoring or prayer intercession.

And often, the way He will train you is by putting you in some real “hands-on” situations. For example, during my “boot camp” time with the Lord, He had me deliver a few prophetic words to friends as “practice” for the prophetic ministry He was calling me to. It was “field training” because I was learning as I went, but it was still rather “low level” because it was with people I knew.

He also moved me around a lot, having me continue to learn and grow as He simultaneously used me to minister to others at each location He’d send me to. It’s the same type of thing a pastor may go through, moving from background positions in a church to an assistant-level position before becoming a lead pastor. Or, someone volunteering at a non-profit before they eventually establish one themselves.

The way the military describes such on-the-job training is “inserting [soldiers] into quiet sectors to learn their trade.” Which is the same thing God will do with us. Just like David was faithful in the fields first and Joseph was faithful in the prison first, God will teach us our “trade” in the quiet places first. Behind the scenes, in obscurity, where no one is watching.

Because not only is it safer and calmer, but it also develops your character and tests your willingness to fight and keep progressing, even if no one else sees it but Him.

The Lord is the one who created you for a specific purpose, so He knows exactly what you need. And, it won’t be exactly the same for everyone. But, it will be what He knows you need for your calling - your position in His army.

In fact, there’s a famous quote by Flavius Josephus (a first century historian and military leader) that says the goal of the military forces entering combat is to have a “been there before” attitude, so they know they can fight, win and survive.

Hmm… who does that sound like?

“But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” -1 Samuel 17:34-37 NKJV

The Lord “trained” David first with a lion and a bear, so he would develop confidence and faith. He had already been through battles before and seen the deliverance of the Lord, so when he got to his battle with Goliath, he had a “been there before” attitude. He knew God would deliver him and give him the victory, just as He had done before.

Which is the whole point of training. Both naturally and spiritually.

There’s a reason God didn’t just throw David in a ring with Goliath right at the very beginning. He knew David would be afraid and probably run for his life. So, instead He took him through a training season first to establish a solid foundation that would serve him later when he was called to battle.

And, we need to allow the Lord time to do the same thing with each one of us.

Often, we want to run ahead of God, asking for things we aren’t ready for. But, thankfully, God doesn’t give us what we want. He gives us what we need. And, He knows we need to advance through the levels. He knows what to train us on, when. And, He knows when we’re ready for the “next.”

So, if you’ve been feeling frustrated with where you’re at or confused by what’s happening in your journey with God or even jealous of someone else’s journey, I hope this helps to quiet your heart.

Yes, you are in a race. But, you’re not competing against anyone else. Your race is your race. And, the only goal… the only “finish line” to strive for… is total intimacy with the Lord. Don’t worry about how long it takes or if you’re at the same “level” as anyone else.

Trust that your Commander… your loving Bridegroom… your faithful Father… knows just what you need when you need it.

And don’t forget to be excited about the journey! There’s nothing more exhilarating than following the Lord into the unknown!

So, hold on tight and enjoy the ride!