"The Art of War," written by Sun Tzu in 6th century BC, is one of the oldest and most successful books on military strategy in the world. In the book, Sun Tzu highlighted the importance of “positioning in strategy” and that position is affected by both objective conditions in the physical environment and the subjective opinions of competitive actors in that environment.
At one point, Sun Tzu writes, “So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a thousand battles without a single loss. If you only know yourself, but not your opponent, you may win or may lose. If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will always endanger yourself. Therefore one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful. Seizing the enemy without fighting is the most skillful.”
In Chapter 1, Sun Tzu states, “All warfare is based on deception.” This quote is extremely accurate and is the underlying factor when we find ourselves in the midst of spiritual warfare. The enemy is a master of mind tricks and will deceive us at all costs. When speaking to the Jews about God’s true children, Jesus said in John 8:42, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The enemy will fill our heads with doubt, worry and fear in an attempt to test our faith. His main objective is to cause us to not trust in God and encourage us to lean on our own knowledge/forget what we already know. The enemy knows the word of God and will use that against us in an effort to trick us. Without realizing it, Sun Tzu gives us a great illustration of the type of “action plan” our adversary can attempt on us, as he sees us as the enemy, when he adds:
“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”
When it comes to our spiritual battle, I believe the last two lines sum it up best. The enemy is out to destroy, or separate, the body of Christ. If we are not prepared, by continuing to study God’s word, the enemy will attack and possibly succeed. He is not going to wait for us to be strong in the spirit; he is going to pounce on us when we are away from the word. This is why the word says for us to “store up” the Lord’s commands within us, so that, when we are away from the word, we would be prepared for battle anytime, anyplace or anywhere.
“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”
When it comes to our spiritual battle, I believe the last two lines sum it up best. The enemy is out to destroy, or separate, the body of Christ. If we are not prepared, by continuing to study God’s word, the enemy will attack and possibly succeed. He is not going to wait for us to be strong in the spirit; he is going to pounce on us when we are away from the word. This is why the word says for us to “store up” the Lord’s commands within us, so that, when we are away from the word, we would be prepared for battle anytime, anyplace or anywhere.
Despite the enemy’s strategies or plots, Paul, just like James, instructs us to take comfort through these trials as he writes in Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If you are facing some attacks today, take comfort in two things: 1) The enemy is threatened by you, therefore doing what he can to discourage you. So you must be doing something right. 2) God has your back and is allowing this to happen so that He may be glorified in it. The enemy can’t operate outside of the boundaries of God (see the book of Job).
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If you are facing some attacks today, take comfort in two things: 1) The enemy is threatened by you, therefore doing what he can to discourage you. So you must be doing something right. 2) God has your back and is allowing this to happen so that He may be glorified in it. The enemy can’t operate outside of the boundaries of God (see the book of Job).
Don’t make the enemy relevant in YOUR life; he only exists if we allow him to exist. Keep your eyes on Christ and eventually, these plots to kill your dreams, steal your joy and destroy your faith will not be noticeable. We all know who wins in the end! Amen…oh yea and one last thing, ALWAYS remember to walk in the Love of God, for the power of Love overcomes evil.
Forget about the "Art of War" when strategizing to become victorious. For what lies within the Heart of War is Love. That is the ONLY weapon needed to prevail. Try it and see what happens.
Forget about the "Art of War" when strategizing to become victorious. For what lies within the Heart of War is Love. That is the ONLY weapon needed to prevail. Try it and see what happens.
Peace 2 U,
His Messenger
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