The Warrior Code

“A warrior who wears two swords at his side but does not put the spirit of combat into his heart is nothing but a peasant or a merchant wearing the skin of a warrior”. - Code of the Samurai

As men and as Christians, we need a code to live by and in this dangerous world that must be a warrior code. We must capture the masculine DNA and ride it towards, not away from, the adventure of life. We must prepare to face the dangers in our culture, intentionally seek to be equipped for battle, and confidently engage the dragons who threaten those people we love and the heritage we cherish. Only then can we fulfill our destiny and rescue the real beauty---our wives, our children, our faith, our communities, our nation---all that we hold dear.

“The warrior code takes a soldier and makes him a knight. It connects the natural life of a fighter to the supernatural understanding of the warrior calling. His duties are transformed into holy sacrifices; his sense of self is reformed into the image of the servant in pursuit of valor. He becomes part of a fellowship, a noble tradition that flows thru him and carries him beyond the mediocre and the vain.” Steven Mansfield, The Faith of the American Soldier

In alluding to the fact that all soldiers are not warriors, Steven Mansfield has uncovered a great truth that transcends historical and cultural divides. I have experienced that first-hand as a navy combat pilot, South Carolina State Guard Battalion Commander, and Chief Deputy Sheriff. This same principle is in play in family life where some husbands and fathers may readily assume the Casper Milquetoast persona just when their wives and children need their love, their protection and sacrificial service.

The transformation from soldier to warrior that Mansfield describes is much more than a cerebral process. Indeed, only issues of the heart can move a man into the realm called the warrior ethos. This realm is characterized by: The passionate desire and determination in a man’s heart to prepare themselves and to perfect themselves for the stance against evil in the service of others. If this sounds familiar, this is precisely what Jesus did. This simple phrase defines the “warrior spirit” and is what I call being, Jesus-esque.

Our old pal, retired Navy SEAL Chris Sajnog, wrote this, “Going to war is not a prerequisite for the title of warrior. Warrior is simply a recognized role in society…in every great society in history. The way of the warrior is a never-ending road of discovery and self-improvement.” As Christian men and spiritual warriors, we are on a never-ending road of becoming “Christ like”."

Chris also wrote this, “Grow a set of NUTs! Non- negotiable---Unalterable---Terms. Live by them. Terms like integrity, loyalty, honor, courage…that you will not compromise.” A set of core values, like humility, is an essential building block for a life of serving others. Ask yourself, “What are my personal core values?” Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discover this identity if you are not sure. Develop “a set of ” 3 to 5…and then purpose to be the expression of them.

As Christian men, we need a code to live by and a conscious desire to be transformed into the image of Christ, to be Jesus-esque in all our roles in life. We must capture the masculine, God-given DNA and ride it towards, not away from the adventure, the danger, and the challenges that we will encounter and confront in every season of life that lies before us.

This passionate desire and determination of the heart will compel men to actively seek ways to develop and strengthen their core values. Jesus referred to this process as discipleship and the invitation to “follow Him” continues to beckon men everywhere. Just as with natural war, discipleship is a process, not a single action or week-end seminar. This process requires months and years to define, strengthen, and refine a man’s beliefs and core values.

These core values such as love of God and family, duty, honor, courage, and self-less service must be tempered and refined to give form and substance to the warrior code. This process is analogous to the forming of the Samurai sword that was heated and hammered repeatedly to remove impurities, making it strong and resilient. These refined core values then correctly define the masculine gender bringing strength to the church, strength to families, and strength the culture of a nation.

This critical process, the dynamic of discipleship, is missing in much of American church life because the command to “make disciples” is often missing in action. For this reason, the flame of passion goes out in the hearts of many men resulting in potential warriors becoming passive wusses. Our men can drown in a sea of religiosity and the quest of being transformed into the image of Christ is often lost in the fog of our many church programs.