WAR STRATEGIES

In most wars the side with better weapons, more information and effective strategies wins. In this world the one who knows the most about war and has long honed his strategies is Satan. Starting in heaven, the enemy deceived the angels, tried to deceive beings in other worlds and finally made man fall. After dragging a third of the angels he came to make war against the women and her seed.*1. Specifically, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The apostle Paul warns us,

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.*2

We must recognize that the devil has power and that his agents, the demons do too. But God has much more power and He gives us strength to overcome if we wear His armor. The question then is, what is His armor?

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—* 3

The Lord has left us these warnings and has revealed the enemies’ strategies so he does not deceive us and if the enemy deceives us it will be because of our own negligence. What are some of Satan’s strategies:

• False worship - Matthew 4:9
• Combines truth and lies - Genesis 3:1-7
• Changes time and the law - Daniel 7:25
• Makes us feel satisfied (asleep) - Matthew 24:28,29, Matthew 25:1-13
• Makes the coming of the Lord seem distant - 2 Peter 3:3, 4
• Spiritualism - Matthew 24:24
• False doctrines - 1 Timothy 4:1
• False religions - Revelation 16:13,14
• Studies individuals to determine their weaknesses - 1 Peter 5:8
• Distracts us with worldly pleasures - Matthew 6:19-21; James 4
• Creates doubts about God - Genesis 3:1-7
• Brings suffering - James 1:2-4
• Tempts us - James 1:12-16

These are just some of the tools the enemy uses to overcome the people of God. In the past, he persecuted and killed but now because we are asleep he deceives us with half-truths and whole lies.

The greatest want of the world is the want of men-- men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.*4

If we keep the armor of God and let Christ be our general we will not fall.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.*5

But more importantly we will gain eternal life and dwell with Jesus forever!

JESUS IS COMING SOON!

1 * Revelation 12
2 * Ephesians 6:11-13
3 * Ephesians 6:14-18
4* Education, “Live Of Great Men”, Ellen G. White
5* James 4:7