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Spiritual Warfare Part 3 - Initiative

Continuing my series on the Principles of War applied to Spiritual Warfare, today I want to address the principle of INITIATIVE.

The principle of INITIATIVE (or Offensive) is to act rather than react, and it flows from the objective. Taking the offensive allows a commander (or person) to choose the place, time and method of warfare. Initiative keeps the enemy off-guard and in retreat. Failure to take the offensive results in always being on the defense.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God (2 Timothy 1:7-8).

Christians need to be on the offensive. The Christian life should be full of power and boldness because the outcome is already known. Yet, too many Christians adopt the philosophy of “speak only when spoken to.” All evil needs in order to triumph is for God’s people to say nothing. If we wait for something to happen, we will continually be on the defense.

Your offense begins with time alone in prayer as you seek God’s power, boldness and control in all circumstances. Ask Him to prepare the hearts and minds of people you will speak to today. Ask Him to give you a “hearing” with people who don’t know the Gospel and who need true joy in their lives. Then, take action—take and make opportunities to speak. Speak up, in love, against sinful practices.

The armor of God, listed in Ephesians 6, mentions only one weapon for offense: the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. The other pieces of equipment are all defensive. Know the Word of God well enough to use it in all of life’s circumstances.

Through your words and actions, take initiative that will help you achieve your objective.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

posted by Jim @ 8:15 AM