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Education Ministry

Posted on June 17, 2004 ...

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

It is good strategy to know your opponent. Athletic coaches send out scouts and pour over game films to learn the plays, strengths, and weaknesses of the other team. Militaries invest much time and effort in gathering intelligence regarding the position and strength of the enemy. Political advisors sift through documents and other sources regarding the other candidate’s voting record and positions on various issues. Over the next few months, battles will be fought in all three of these arenas: The Summer Olympics in August, the current war in Iraq and the ongoing war against terrorism, and the presidential election in November. Right now there are teams of analysts in locker rooms, war-rooms, conference rooms and even caves trying to better understand their opponents. Victory will most likely go to the side that best knows its rival, can identify and exploit its weaknesses, anticipates its next move and sets up a ready defense, and scores when the opportunity presents itself.

There is another arena in which you and I compete everyday. It is an age-old conflict that has been raging in what is presently enemy occupied territory of God’s kingdom. The Apostle Paul wrote about it and Pastor Jay has been preaching about our defense against it. Recall Paul’s words: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Because it is a spiritual conflict, one that does not make the evening news, it is often overlooked by those in the very midst of it. Such talk of spiritual warfare is often denounced by the modern minds of this scientific age. As a result, they see no need to understand an opponent whom they do not believe exists. For most, the devil is a red suited, pitchfork toting, sinister grinning, fairy-tale imp; an old fashioned myth used to scare people into following the rules. He is no longer thought of as the real personal enemy of God, bent on the disruption of God’s plan for creation – namely, the destruction of human souls. The latest Barna research indicates a growing trend, even among Christians, to think of Satan as a symbol of evil rather than a real entity (see www.barna.org). As a result, many are walking blindly in the dark, getting clobbered by the unseen fists of an unknown enemy.

Now I know it is not pleasant to think about Satan. Believe me, I would much rather meditate upon the glories of God. Yet as long as I live in this world, I must observe the good strategy. I must understand my opponent. As time and space allows, I would like to explore some of his tactics in upcoming articles. As my spiritual family, I invite you to share with me some of your insights on this matter. Let us remember, the aim is not to focus on the devil, but to become wise and responsible Christians, able to stand firm against his schemes. I am honored to walk this road with you.