Desertion is not the Answer

Neither give place to the Devil. 
Ephesians 4:27

There are two types of warfare in the natural world: Offensive and defensive. The Bible also teaches both defensive and offensive spiritual strategies. We must learn to fight both defensively and offensively. The only other option is desertion, which is unacceptable.

We should not be fearful in taking a stance against the enemy because our victory is already assured.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.  Zechariah 4:6 

We shouldn't ask ourselves why, or if God is doing this thing, why do I have to be spiritually suited to battle especially when the the bible tells me that the battle belongs to God!

Remember, in a battle we need to be aware of our surroundings, we don't want to be unconscious or lose sight or awareness of what's going on; we don't want to faint!  The only way we don't faint is that we are fit in our spiritual attire because the bible tells us that it is the only way we can stand in spiritual warfare.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Ephesians 6:13

We need to be standing to do the will of God!

Defensive warfare is battle waged to defend territory. It is warfare that waits for the enemy to strike, then pulls its forces together in defensive response. The defender must respond to his opponent as decisions are forced on him by the attacker. This type of warfare does not advance into enemy territory. It defends territory already claimed. It is important, however, because the spiritual forces of evil are constantly attacking us as  believers. If you do not know how to defend yourself, you will become a victim of these attacks.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  Matthew 16:18

Offensive warfare is aggressive warfare. It is not a warfare of waiting and responding in defense. It is warfare which takes the initiative of attack. The enemy is identified, his strategy recognized, and offensive advances against him are made in the spirit world. In offensive warfare the attacker has the advantage of making decisions first. Offensive warfare gains territory rather than defends it.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  Ephesians 6:16

Offensive advances are the only type of spiritual warfare which will reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We cannot remain in our comfortable homes and churches and practice defensive strategies only. The army of God must advance into enemy territory. It must go to the strongholds of Satan with the power of the Gospel message. We must wage aggressive offensive spiritual battle.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Ephesians 6:17

There is one thing in common about offensive and defensive warfare. Both involve personal action by the believer. In natural warfare, unused weapons do not inflict causalities on the enemy nor win wars. The same is true in the spirit world. 

Your spiritual weapons are affected by your will to use them. 

It is true that God empowers us for battle, but we have a personal responsibility in both defensive and offensive spiritual strategies.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  
Revelation 3:15-16

In Old Testament battles, the Lord fought for and with His people, Israel. But first, they had to position themselves on the battlefield. When God sees a spiritual weapon being used in His name and a man or woman on the battlefield daring to attempt the impossible, the Lord of Hosts is moved to action.

In the account given of Elisha there are some spiritual parallels involving the bow and arrows that help us understand our part in the warfare:

Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.  And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.  And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.  And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.  And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.   And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.  2 Kings 13:14-19

1.         Demonstrate your intention to fight:

Elisha told King Joash, "Take up the bow and arrows." Apostle Paul said, "Take the sword of the Spirit" and declare war. By taking up your offensive and defensive weapons, you are demonstrating your intention to fight.

2.         Put your hands on the weapon:

Elisha told King Joash to put his hands upon the bow, then Elisha laid his hands upon the king's hands. The strategy for victory is your hand upon the weapon and God’s hand over yours.

3.         Open the window:

Open up the window of the place where the enemy is victorious. Israel's foe was to the east, so Elisha told King Joash to open the window eastward. God wants you to open up the "windows" of every area of your life to expose the the arena of failure, defeat, and bondage that the  enemy is trying to place on your life.

4.         Shoot:

Elisha told King Joash, "Shoot," and the king shot. Then Elisha said, "The Lord's arrow of victory over Syria." The open window is not enough. The weapon in your hand is not sufficient. Even God's hand upon your hand will not win the battle. You must follow the command of the Lord of Hosts to "SHOOT!" This is your part in the warfare. . .  to actually use the weapon that is in your hand which is guided by the hand of the Lord.

5.         Know the objective:

Elisha told King Joash to take the arrows and hit them upon the ground as a symbol of his victory over Syria. The king did so, but he "smote thrice and stayed (stopped)." Elisha told him that because he limited God by hitting the ground only three times, his military victory would be limited. This happened because the King did not understand the objective of warfare. Elisha had said the Lord wanted to totally consume the enemy (verse 17). By striking the ground only three times, the King settled for only partial victory.

The Lord's objective for us is total victory in every area of our life and ministry. If we fail to understand this objective then our victory will be limited.

6.         Win first in the secret chamber:

What happened between Elisha and King Joash in the secret chamber that day determined the outcome of the battle with Syria. It is what happens in the secret "chamber" with the Lord that determines your victories in the actual battles of life.

Basic to both offensive and defensive warfare is knowledge of the strategies of the enemy, Satan:

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.  2 Corinthians 2:11

The word "devices" means a scheme, project, plot or underhanded plan of evil character. Satan can gain advantage over us when we are ignorant of his devices and fail to respond in offensive and defensive battle.  This is another important reason to let the Holy Spirit guide us and is also an important reason to walk in the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is important in both offensive and defensive warfare. The Holy Spirit knows the strategies of Satan and intercedes for believers engaged in battle:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.   Romans 8:26-27

The Holy Spirit gives power to claim enemy territory:

But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  Acts 1:8

God has given us everything we need to be victorious in Him.   If we want to see Jesus in peace; just as holiness is not an option, neither is desertion.

And Jesus said, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.   Luke 9:62 





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