01/30/2020
ALWAYS ADVANCE.
Far too many Christians have been lulled into a non-aggressive posture where prayer and spiritual warfare are concerned. The frivolous entrapments of social media, television, and other time-consuming hobbies have made the Church complacent, turning giant-slayers into mice, and vigorous champions into stooping asthmatics. No longer do God's warriors enter the fray through times set-aside for intimate fellowship with their Commander-in-Chief. No longer do they train their hands for battle and their fingers to fight. In times past they regularly enjoyed long walks with God, worshipping Him in spirit and truth, and laying out targeted requests for friends, loved ones, and fellow countrymen. In times past their habit was to get alone with the Lord in order to prepare for battle; for times when they could turn their spiritual weapons on the evil spiritual forces arrayed against their community, region, and nation. In times past their heart for evangelism was strong, and they looked for opportunities to influence people for Christ. But no more. The spirit of the age has captured them, making them slaves to self-gratifying pursuits and agendas. This must change.
The great military genius, General George C. Patton, was so successful in the arena of war because he understood the basic principles of aggression when confronting the enemy. Whether we are dealing with our own innate laziness and indifference, or with a malevolent spiritual devil who is out to kill us, we must be become more aggressive if we will win our battles in life and ministry. Patton said things like, "There is no such thing as a successful defense." In other words, when we are only defending something, we are not taking ground for the kingdom of God.
Patton also said, "In war nothing is impossible, provided you use audacity." Sometimes all that is needed to tip the scales in our favor is to get up and do something bold and out-of-the-ordinary. When Darlene and I were discouraged by the lack of spiritual depth and fellowship in our community, we dared to start something new in our own home. Those initial Bible teaching classes we conducted each Tuesday night eventually grew from five or six people to a Church of well over a hundred. An old country adage says, "If you don't start nothing, won't be nothing." Well, we were willing to start something that needed to be started, and now we have something.
Patton also knew how to apply another winning principle. He said, "Always advance and never dig in."
Alas, I see so many believers (myself included at times) who have been content to "dig in" and opt for lives of ease. But that is not good. We must ever be reaching beyond where we are, to greater things that bring help to mankind and more glory to God.
My prayer:
Dear Lord, help us never to dig in and become content with the ground taken in past seasons of spiritual war. Stir up and set us aggressively about the task of winning men to Christ and building Your kingdom wherever we are, and wherever we are able. Forgive us, Lord, for apathy and too much self-focus. Help us to lift up our eyes and see the harvest awaiting all around us. As we stir ourselves to get off the couch and into the fields of prayer and spiritual warfare, impress and fascinate us with a strong sense of Your presence and favor. Encourage us deeply in the inner man, and ignite the fires of vision and passion that must burn brightly until the final victory has come. In Jesus' strong and merciful name, Amen!
