Christian Boot Camp; Preparing for War
The New Testament refers to the life of a Christian in terms of warfare in several places and in different ways. Consider the following passages:
Eph 6:11-12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV)
2Ti 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (KJV)
Our chief responsibility as Christians is to oppose and defeat evil at every chance. I think sometimes we lose sight of how to do this. In The Message of Pain I offer a definition of evil that helps in identifying the opposition. If you cannot identify the enemy, it is impossible to oppose and defeat him. I also explain the most effective weapons against evil. Christ identified them in His teachings. The main offensive weapon in our arsenal against evil is love (Mt 22:37-40). There is little to defend against this. (Let me say that people are not the enemy. It is "arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God" that we war against (2 Cor. 10:5 ESV).
If love is the chief weapon against evil, it is very important to learn how to use this powerful weapon effectively. Love stops the progress of evil in the life of a young boy or girl. Kids who never have a real encounter of love are most likely to learn the ways of evil and further its cause. Evil's main effect is to cause damage. Damage causes pain and pain multiplies itself, advancing evil's cause. Love can be a potent preventative or curative.
I certainly don't have all the possible strategies for using love against evil. I do know that when you are feeling loved is when you are most like to try it on someone else. If I can offer some strategies I have learned from others who have "assaulted" me in surprise attacks that set me back on course.
The Right TImes (much like in modern warfare timing can be the difference between victory and defeat):
1. Choose a vulnerable time such as when you "target" has experienced a big disappointment. I knew of a young boy who got left behind when his father and older brother went on a fishing trip. He was one sad boy until a neighbor stepped in and took him for a boat ride all on his own. I'm sure it was not as fun as he had dreamed but it made him understand someone cared about him.
2. It always meant something to me when a person took the time to come to significant events in my life such as funerals of my loved ones, my wedding (you usually get just one chance at this), graduations (mine and my children's) and award presentations. If you are trying to make a break through these are key events.
3. Financial reversals are critical times but utter discretion is of utmost importance. The wrong impression could bar a relationship for a very long time. Anonymous help would be appropriate at times like this.
The Right Ways
1. I was always surprised when someone learned my name and used it to address me before I knew them.
2. Learn your "target's" likes and dislikes. Remembering that someone drinks only diet coke and showing up with one when you know you will you will be seeing them is a great opening salvo with the weapon of love.
3. There is no more effective way to drop your "target's" defenses than demonstrating care for them with something that they have a like for. Combine this with a well-timed expression and you will hit the mark solidly and in a way that continues to work on them after the encounter. Starbucks is a weakness of mine. Showing up with my "drink" at a time when I am exhausted or having a bad day speaks in a way that words cannot. It can create an experience of love that will not be forgotten and begin to loosen the seal on the door to considering the Gospel.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Please share ways you have learned in the comments to make us all better at throwing back evil's advance and begin to take back lost ground.
