The Rules of Engagement

The Rules of Engagement

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight—My Stead fast Love and my Fortress, my High Tower and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in Whom I trust and take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. —Psalm 144:1–2, amp To recap: a real war is raging. It is a war between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. The church has been assigned as a part of heaven’s defense system. Every believer is automatically drafted into its military depart ment of defense, and there are no demilitarized zones. Our Commander in Chief has instructed us in Ephesians 6:10–18 to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” With this armor girded about us, the church is ready for its mission of defending the kingdom of light, protecting it from all foreign intrusion while maintaining an atmosphere that is internally free from revolt and insurrection. It must also actively infiltrate and penetrate (not isolate and alienate itself from) the world’s systems with the message of the King and His kingdom, doing the works of Him who sent us, plundering the kingdom of darkness to populate the kingdom of light, and liberating prisoners of war from the tyrannical rule of Satan who has blinded their minds. In the next chapter, we are going to get our stripes and be activated into war.

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