The Rules of Engagement

As I studied the Bible and subsequent literature on this real-life battle between good and evil, I was amazed at how accurately it defined my personal struggle at the time.  But of equal interest was the dilemma it represented to Christians at large.  Let me begin to explain with a paragraph from, “Rules of Engagement”, by Derek Prince.  This quote is directed specifically at those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

When we are born again as Christians into the Kingdom of God, we discover that we are caught up in a war with an opposing spiritual kingdom – the kingdom of Satan.  In this we have no option.  Because the kingdom to which we belong is at war, we are part of the war.  We discover, too, that we have various kinds of enemies, but the most powerful and the most formidable is a kingdom of rebellious angels in the heavenly places, under the rule of God’s archenemy, Satan.

To begin, I would like to focus on the first sentence.  It may just be my interpretation, but the word structure would seem to indicate that the knowledge of this opposing kingdom and our involvement in spiritual warfare becomes immediately apparent to a new Christian. (Read it again if necessary.) 

Based on my research and personal observation, this raised an interesting question for me.  When is it, exactly, that we discover our involvement in this battle?  More directly, can you remember a time when you were formally trained in the subject matter?  Who is this enemy?  How does he attack?  What do we do about it?  Without that knowledge, I believe most Christians, regardless of denomination, are left to discover this reality on their own, if they ever discover it at all.

Opposing Agendas!

God initiated your salvation, and as such, He has a plan for you to prosper in a way that will honor and glorify Him.  However, Satan is immediately and continually aware of your decision to accept and follow Jesus Christ as your Savior and he has an opposing agenda designed to make you ineffective as a foot soldier for the Lord. 

I have certainly benefited from the wisdom of Dr. Prince, but perhaps a more accurate first sentence would read; ‘When we are born again as Christians into the Kingdom of God, we are immediately caught up in a war with an opposing spiritual kingdom – the kingdom of Satan – whether we realize it or not.’  Do you see the problem?  Satan doesn’t wait on the battlefield until you finish your basic training!  He begins to attack immediately, and without the proper instruction, we are unaware of where the attack is coming from, who it is that is attacking us, and how we should defend ourselves. 

Referring once more to Dr. Prince; “In this we have no option.  Because the kingdom to which we belong is at war, we are part of the war (immediately)”. (added for emphasis).  For a brand-new Christian, the introduction to Jesus and the process of sanctification is a lot to process, much less comprehend and then apply to redirecting your life.  With the best of intentions, the church was teaching me all about Jesus, the piece of the puzzle that had been missing in my life for 20 years.  

What no one told me, and what I did not realize until much later, is that for every step forward I took with Jesus, Satan was knocking me two steps backward.  It seemed as though I was fighting against a constant but invisible headwind that kept me from realizing any significant change in my circumstances.  With God’s help and a personal determination to press on, I survived long enough to discover what was happening to me. 

Don’t Allow the Enemy to Win!

Unfortunately, many Christians are dissuaded when the enemy attacks, especially in the early stages of their transformation.  They do not realize that they have stepped into a spiritual battle and that they are under attack.  As a result, they lose out on the best God has in store for them, or worse, they walk away and never return, unaware that they are allowing Satan to win the war.  

‘Take Captive Every Thought’ is intended to clearly disseminate the truth about spiritual warfare and to provide Christians (at any level of maturity) the wisdom, discernment, and determination necessary to defeat the enemy and allow God’s plan to prevail in their lives.  I do not claim to be an expert on the subject, but I do engage in the battle each day with a new perspective.  Throughout the book, I do my best to share what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me in regard to living a victorious Christian lifestyle.  

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14) (NIV)

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