Critical Requirements for Spiritual Battle A Warrior’s Perspective

The essence of war or warfare is a violent struggle between two hostiles, and irreconcilable wills, each trying to impose itself on the other.

We glean valuable lessons of “faith/authority” from a warrior, a Roman Centurion in Matthew 8 and Luke 7. We can also gain some practical insight into these two distinct operational realms. We see the natural realm that the Centurion was very familiar with as he described in detail how he operated therein. But we also discover that the Centurion recognized the spiritual realm and see that he also described in detail how Jesus operated therein. And Jesus said, Wow! (paraphrased)

Sometimes we Christian men talk about the familiar account of the centurion or we will quote a scripture like John 10:10-11 or 1 Peter 5:8-9. Unfortunately, these powerful scriptures often roll off our tongue in a cavalier manner, like we might be placing an order at a drive-thru window. In truth, both passages clearly speak of knowing ourselves, of who and whose we are and of who the enemy is. They clearly reveal the power/authority of The Word and the true nature of the increasingly dangerous world we are born into.

In order to achieve maximum benefit from the insight of our old pal, the centurion, and truth of these scriptures we must recognize the symbiotic relationship between natural and spiritual warfare. To make this point we will look at the remarkable similarity between two great warriors, Peter and Sun Tzu.

Peter says it this way: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Sun Tzu says it this way: The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. The Art of War 500 BC

When I was flying helicopter gunship missions, supporting my shipmates the navy SEALs, it was essential to know yourself and to know the enemy. Knowing yourself required that you soberly recognize your capabilities and your limitations. Knowing the enemy required a dynamic curiosity so that you could know his capabilities and his limitations. I flew over 500 combat missions and, like in life’s battles, I knew I would either be Victor or Victim.

In summary, we must (1) Know who we are as well as whose we are in Christ. This is our “unassailable position”. Many Christian brothers who have been members of churches for years appear clueless in this vital area. They are really no threat to demonic forces and often become prey to, what C.S. Lewis would describe in The Screwtape Letters as, ‘low level enemy activity’. (2) We must know the enemy. Many of our Christian brothers also appear clueless as to the nature of Satan and of the operation of demonic forces. They make of themselves “low hanging fruit” and are easily plucked!

If Christian men know not who they are in Christ nor who the enemy is then any spiritual warfare for them is going to be more like playing a video war game than real warfare. Jesus did give us the required fix for this debacle in the form of an order…“Make Disciples”.

Developed by Barney Barnes, Warrior Spirit Ministries, 1-29-16