There’s a story about this field general who was called up to battle by his commanding officer.  The general was from a mighty nation, but it had been quite some time since he had been in battle.  The troops weren’t organized and his leadership skills were not in tune.  The commanding officer called out to the Field General and told him to gather up the troops and await further instruction.  The field general, a little panicked by the battle ahead of him, put in a call from all parts of the region and 32,000 men reported for the cause.  The general was pleased.  These men were ready to fight for their freedom and tired of being pushed around by bully enemies.

The commanding officer then pulled the field general aside and said, I’m looking at your rag tag group of so-called warriors.  You’ve got too many men here aren’t in it for the right reason… they have no passion and conviction, you’ve gotta git rid of the wanna-be’s.”  With hesitation, the field general took the commanding officers request and turned to ask the men… “who’s scared?  I don’t need you if you aren’t willing to die for your cause!”  The field general watched 22,000 men walk away with their heads hung low, leaving the army.

The commanding officer came back to the field general, surveyed the troops and said. “You’ve still got some men here that don’t belong… they’re self-absorbed and they will not help your cause.  They won’t listen to orders and aren’t disciplined.”  The jaw of the field general dropped as he filtered through the guys who weren’t prepared to battle… and after putting them through the tests 7,700 men were sent.

The field general now stands with 300 guys.  The commanding officer looked at the Field General and said… “now we’re ready.  Go do what you know you can do.”  The field general, fully trusting his commanding officer, took these 300 finely tuned warriors along with a crafty battle plan…and attacked!  Sweet victory!  The enemy was demolished and the nations freedom was restored.

The win didn’t take power, it didn’t take might.  The win took commitment and perseverance.  This awesome story can be found in more detail in the bible in Judges 6 and 7 … the story of Gideon’s army of 300 men.  Gideon was the field general and God is the commanding officer.

How many battles have you charged into with no conviction, no support, and wavering belief?  Are you in a fight for your life today?  It may not mean death, but your pride may be on the chopping block, or your ego may be taking a beating.  You can win your battles, but you have to send home the weak beliefs, the fake front, and the habits that are dogs in your life.

Doesn’t it seem that men are always under attack?  And aren’t we taught early that we have to have it all together and win at all costs?  But where’s our training for this endeavor… the playground, the board room, the factory floor?  Let me tell you… if you don’t have the training… go home…without it, you can’t win.  You can’t take the beatings over and over again and if you don’t know how to fight, you’ll die.

Real men with real faith have found that facing the enemy with half-hearted convictions and sloppy belief system is a recipe for failure.  You may win a few battles here and there, but you’re losing ground if you don’t have a solid faith foundation.  Find a group of guys that will watch your back and teach each other how to prepare for the next battle… it’s coming… probably before this one is over.  Build accountability into your faith by asking a few friends to pull together and check in on you.  God proves that it doesn’t take a legion to get the win… it only takes Him and our willingness to follow His orders.