Rules of Engagement

1. Embrace spiritual warfare as a reality for all Christians

"We are living in a time when the battle between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan is heating up as never before."

Spiritual battlefield. As Christians, we are automatically enlisted in a cosmic conflict between God's kingdom and Satan's forces. This warfare spans both the seen and unseen realms, with our most formidable enemies being evil spiritual powers in heavenly places. Understanding this reality is crucial for our spiritual survival and effectiveness.

Equip for battle. God has provided us with spiritual armor and weapons to engage in this conflict successfully. These include:

• The belt of truth
• The breastplate of righteousness
• The shoes of the gospel of peace
• The shield of faith
• The helmet of salvation
• The sword of the Spirit (God's Word)
• The weapon of all prayer

Vigilance required. Constant awareness and preparedness are essential in this spiritual war. We must be alert to the enemy's tactics, which often include deception, temptation, and discouragement. By staying close to God and relying on His strength, we can stand firm against these attacks and advance His kingdom.

2. Develop strong character through obedience and endurance

"God is more concerned with our character than with our achievements. Achievements have importance only in the realm of time. Character is eternal."

Character over achievements. While the world often focuses on accomplishments, God prioritizes the development of our character. This eternal perspective should shape our priorities and decisions, leading us to invest in qualities that will endure beyond this life.

Obedience and testing. God uses various means to build our character, including:

• Testing our faith through trials
• Requiring obedience in challenging situations
• Allowing us to face opposition and persecution

Endurance as key. The ability to persevere through difficulties is a crucial aspect of godly character. Jesus emphasized this in His teachings, stating that "he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13). Endurance is not passive resignation but active persistence in faith and obedience despite obstacles.

3. Recognize the Holy Spirit as your guide and empowerment

"The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus as the eternal Son of God, who shed His blood on the cross as the all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins."

Divine partnership. The Holy Spirit is our indispensable ally in the Christian life and spiritual warfare. He serves as our guide, teacher, comforter, and source of power. Recognizing His presence and role is crucial for our spiritual growth and effectiveness.

Empowerment for service. The Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts for ministry and service. These gifts include:

• Wisdom and knowledge
• Faith and healing
• Miracles and prophecy
• Discernment and tongues

Fruit of the Spirit. Beyond gifts, the Holy Spirit produces character qualities that reflect God's nature:

• Love, joy, peace
• Patience, kindness, goodness
• Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

4. Wield the Word of God as your primary weapon

"The Bible will not protect you if it is just sitting on your bookshelf, or even if it is on your bedside table. It only works when you quote it."

Living and active. The Bible is not merely a book of ancient wisdom but the living Word of God. It has the power to transform lives, guide decisions, and defeat spiritual enemies. However, this power is only activated when we actively engage with and apply Scripture.

Offensive and defensive. God's Word serves as both a shield and a sword in spiritual warfare:

• Defensive: Protects against lies and deception
• Offensive: Overcomes temptation and breaks strongholds

Practical application. To effectively use the Bible in spiritual battle:

• Regularly study and memorize Scripture
• Meditate on God's Word day and night
• Speak Scripture aloud when facing temptation or attacks
• Apply biblical principles to daily life decisions

5. Understand and counter the schemes of the enemy

"Satan's apparent victory became the cause of his irrevocable defeat."

Know your enemy. Understanding Satan's tactics is crucial for effective spiritual warfare. His primary weapons include:

• Deception and lies
• Temptation and accusation
• Fear and discouragement

Defeated foe. While Satan remains active, it's essential to remember that he is already a defeated enemy. Christ's death and resurrection sealed Satan's ultimate doom, though the full outworking of this victory awaits Christ's return.

Counter-strategies. To resist the enemy's schemes:

• Stand firm in faith and truth
• Put on the full armor of God
• Submit to God and resist the devil
• Stay alert and maintain spiritual disciplines

6. Cultivate a life of worship and praise

"Praise is God's address; it is where He lives. If you want to be where God lives, you must offer Him praise."

God's dwelling place. Worship and praise create an atmosphere where God's presence is manifested. By cultivating a lifestyle of worship, we invite God's power and presence into our daily lives and spiritual battles.

Weapon of warfare. Praise is not just an expression of gratitude but a powerful spiritual weapon:

• It silences the accuser
• It lifts our focus from problems to God's power
• It releases God's intervention in impossible situations

Practical worship. To develop a lifestyle of worship:

• Set aside regular times for focused praise
• Cultivate gratitude in all circumstances
• Use Scripture and spiritual songs in your worship
• Praise God even (especially) in difficult times

7. Prepare to reign with Christ through perseverance and purity

"If we are to share Christ's exaltation, we must first share His death and then continue steadfast to the end through many trials."

Eternal perspective. Our current struggles and spiritual battles are preparing us for an eternal destiny of reigning with Christ. This perspective can motivate us to persevere through difficulties and resist compromise.

Requirements for reigning. To be prepared for this future role:

• Develop endurance through trials
• Cultivate humility and meekness
• Pursue purity in thought and action
• Maintain an unwavering love for truth

Present choices, eternal consequences. Our daily decisions and responses to challenges are shaping our eternal destiny. By choosing faithfulness, obedience, and purity now, we are preparing ourselves for the responsibilities and privileges of reigning with Christ in the future.

Last updated: September 28, 2024