Many of us sometimes feel as if we're living in a combat zone. It's as if a battle is raging on all sides and we can't seem to get focused. In combat, a critical factor for every soldier is whether he/she can outlast the battle in order to secure the victory. Therefore, surviving (coming through the struggle) means one of two things: (a) either you have gained the victory, or (b) you have escaped to fight again. But keep in mind, in spiritual warfare there may be spiritual captives! Many believers do not come through and end up defeated, bitter, backslidden and blaming God for what's happened. 2 Timothy 2:3,4 says, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. For no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier (his commanding officer)." Enduring hardship as a good soldier is 'militaristic commitment', and this is essential in all spiritual warfare. God is looking for good soldiers, and the Greek word for "good" implies 'one who is fit, excellent and capable'. Therefore, a good soldier must possess all the correct virtues - he must be committed, skilled, disciplined, fierce in battle, driven and hardworking. You cannot live in the combat zone, and survive, without these characteristics.