This Means War!

My reading tastes are best described as eclectic. I am happy when I am reading five different books representing five different genres of literature. Occasionally, just occasionally, the juxtaposition of the different books allows me the illusion of seeing something new.

One of the books I am currently reading is The Rising Tide by Jeff Shaara. As the book begins, Hitler controls western Europe, and US troops are facing off against the Germans in North Africa. It is especially interesting to read the descriptions of the Allies’ battles against Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps. The challenges and frustrations of command are seen through the eyes of historical figures like Generals Eisenhower and Clark and Field Marshal Montgomery.

Rommel was an interesting guy. Although he had been an officer during WWI, he had no experience with armor until he was named commander of a panzer division in February 1940. The tactics he then developed were credited with hastening the collapse of the French at the beginning of the war. Even though he was at one time close to Hitler, in 1944 he entered into a conspiracy against him. He died after being given the choice between going to trial or committing suicide - he chose the cyanide capsule.

Meanwhile, I have also been studying up on the subject of spiritual warfare. On Wednesday I will be teaching three sessions on that subject for our Formation students.

One definition of spiritual warfare is: "The life-long battle to become more like Christ and to see Him work through us to free others so that they can also grow spiritually." For these young adults, I'm not sure if they can relate to a term like "life-long." I'm not even sure I can get my head around that concept!

Shaara’s book on WWII emphasizes the importance (and near impossibility) of knowing your enemy. The Bible identifies at least three enemies we have in our own spiritual battlefield: the world, the flesh and Satan. The Scriptures give us many insights into the effective alliance of these enemy forces.

Sometimes I feel like I am my own, worst enemy. I don’t need anyone else attacking me when my own weaknesses are enough to trip me up! But, it's still helpful to look at Jesus and see how He resisted His enemies:

1. He recognized the rulers of this world actually exist. It is hard to fight an enemy you don’t believe is there. (John 12:31, 14:30)
   
2. He established His own rule in opposition to Satan’s. (Matt. 4:24; Mark 6:45-52; Luke 7:11-17; John 7:15)
   
3. He resisted Satan with Scriptures, by praying and by obeying the will of His Father. (John 5:30-36; Matt. 4:1-11; Hebrews 5:7)
   
4. He trained and equipped His disciples to continue the battle. (Luke 10:1-20; 22:31-32; Acts 1:8)

The end to The Rising Tide was already an historical reality 60 years ago. It encourages me to know that Jesus has the winning battle plan. It is much easier to keep on fighting when I know the end of the story.