Issues: What’s your strategy for joining in the spiritual struggle that God calls you to? Do you have the complete picture of the battle plan? If not, a young boy named David can teach you much.

BEFORE THERE WAS A NEW TESTAMENT, THE apostle Paul wrote that everything in the Old Testament “was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

As I read elsewhere in Paul’s writings I often wonder what Old Testament passages or principles he was meditating on when the Holy Spirit inspired him to pen the letters now included in the New Testament. For example, the sixth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a classic passage on spiritual warfare against Satan’s power and influence. In this passage we see that the devil is indeed a giant, to be reckoned with only in the power of the Lord, on the basis of his word.

Perhaps one passage on Paul’s mind as he wrote Ephesians 6 was 1 Samuel 17, in which David fought the Philistine giant Goliath in the name of the Lord, and God handed the giant over to David in victory. David became a giant-killer.

There had been no giant-killers in Saul’s army before David came, for Saul and his men had responded to Goliath in fear and by relying on the flesh—just as our enemy wants us to respond when we confront him in our lives and ministries.

Illustration by Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

God desires today to raise up giant-killers just like David—men and women after God’s heart who will fulfill all of God’s will in their generation, just as David did.

What are the characteristics of a giant-killer? From David’s example in 1 Samuel 17, there appear to be at least ten.

1. A giant-killer is first of all a faithful and responsible servant in the little things of life.

David had learned to be responsible with his father’s sheep. On the day when he was to first encounter Goliath, David did not leave for the battlefield until he had found a reliable shepherd to take his place at Bethlehem (see 1 Samuel 17:20).

2. A giant-killer does not carry excess baggage—nonessential things and petty personal preferences—into battle.

3. A giant-killer is consumed with the glory of God. It was because Goliath defied God that David was provoked by him. He said,

4. A giant-killer is not discouraged by criticism—even from a brother.

David’s brother slandered his character and judged his motives to be wrong, but David did not allow this to distract him from his God-given mission.

5. A giant-killer is not fearful of circumstances.

A giant-killer has such confidence because he or she serves the Almighty God. No circumstance is greater than God.

6. While serving, a giant-killer is being trained by God. By being faithful to serve God in seemingly insignificant areas, we are prepared for the “big” job God has waiting for us. When Saul questioned David’s ability to fight Goliath, David answered,

7. Saul responded to David’s words by saying, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

A giant-killer places no confidence in the flesh. The best human weapons and the most advanced technology are no substitute for God’s power and provision.

8. A giant-killer’s authority and confidence are from God—not from his or her skills, experience, or education.

The Lord will make giant-killers out of all men and women whose heart’s desire is for the glory of God.

9. A giant-killer demonstrates no hesitation in moving forward to do battle with the giant. He or she has already visualized by faith the victory promised by the Lord.

10. A giant-killer finishes the job, and provides no second opportunity for the enemy to recover and take advantage.

How do we become giant-killers and take on the characteristics David had? How can we help overcome the enemy’s resistance and accomplish the Lord’s great commission, proclaiming Christ and making disciples in every nation?

Here are the steps:

Fall in love with Christ, the living Word, by mastering the written Word—knowing, memorizing, and praying through the Bible—and by persevering in prayer.

Expect and ask God to use you. Pursue spiritual multiplication.

Be available for all the spiritual training you can get.

Put aside preconceived notions about yourself. Avoid the idolatry of worshiping your dreams of human success.

Make yourself available to go anywhere the Lord directs, and also to stay put as he directs.

And finally, give sacrificially and consistently of your time and resources to God’s kingdom.
About the author:

Mike Kotecki is a Navigator representative at Washington State University in Pullman.

That’s Me

Read through once again the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. What quality of David’s stands out most to you in this chapter, and why?

Take a second look at the ten giant-killing characteristics of David listed in this article, and use them to evaluate yourself.

1. Faithful and responsible in the little things of life. You probably don’t have any four-legged sheep to take care of day by day as David did, but like him you do have some unavoidable responsibilities. Summarize the most important ones here:

2. Leaves behind nonessential baggage. Try to think of at least one thing in your life which takes up a fair amount of your time or energy (including mental time and energy), and which you probably could (and should) give up entirely.

3. Consumed with God’s glory. Here’s a tough one that may take a lot of careful thought: In what ways is your concern for God’s glory a factor in the way you live?

4. Not sidetracked by criticism. What kind of criticism is most likely to get you down, and why?

5. Unafraid of circumstances. We aren’t supposed to be afraid–and yet so often we are, usually because of an inadequate awareness of God’s powerful presence.

Meditate on Ephesians 6:13–18, then try to think of three possible steps of action a Christian could take when experiencing fear. List them here:

6. Trained by God. Remembering to be grateful, list here the most obvious ways in which God has trained you in the past for something you are now doing.

7. Not trusting in human resources. As you seek to do God’s work for you, what aspects of your personality, background, or present circumstances do you think might be easiest for you to trust in and rely on too much?

8. Confident in God. The same David who in his youth slew Goliath experienced another crisis many years later (a rebellion by his son Absalom), and Psalm 3 is the record of his thoughts at this time. How does this psalm show David’s continued confidence in God?

9. Eager for battle when the time comes. Is there anything you believe God wants you to do but which, for some reason, you have been hesitating to carry out? If so, analyze the situation here in writing, and decide whether you should take some step of immediate action.

10. A finisher. As a prayer, write here your heart’s desire to complete whatever God wants you to do in your life on earth. You may want to keep in mind Psalm 90:17, John 17:4, and 2 Timothy 4:6–8.