Offensive

"... casting down vain imagination and everything that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 11 Corinthians 10:5.

THE PRESENT escalating crisis in the Gulf or Colombo etc.,is making almost everybody conscious of war. We know it. War is no stranger to us. Although there is a difference between physical warfare and spiritual warfare, there is still a close relationship. In fact, all physical warfare is part of the spiritual war. Read James ch.4 & 2 Peter 2:11.

DIFFERENT experts in warfare list the principles of war (membering from 4 to 15). Whatever the member, these principles of war should be used in the spiritual warfare, because first, we are at war; second, they are effective in gaining victory in this war; third, they are biblical; fourth, they are historic principles. The war in which we are engaged is more deadly than the totality of all wars ever fought. This is war against the soul. Every man is personally engaged in it. Since we are involved in this war, let us take instruction from the experts in physical war and from the Scriptures. Let us just see one principle in the military strategy applied to christian life and witness.

IN THE WARFARE, the offensive is the means by which one takes the objective. It is an aggressive advance against an enemy to wrest the objective from his possession. (e.g. USA against Iraq for Kuwait). An army on the offensive has a moral and physical advantage over the enemy at the point of contact. The offensive is both an attitude as well as an action. In attitude, it is bold; in direction it is forward toward the enemy at the objective; as its means it uses effective weapons. THE OFFENSIVE in the spiritual war is conducted in the same manner. It is directed against the enemy, not against the objective. Satan is the enemy. We fight in order to wrest from his possession those who through fear of death are subject to his bondage. Heb.2:15. Most of this spiritual war is already history. Jesus Christ delivered the decisive blow at the decisive point at the decisive time. The blow was His death for sin and sinners. The point was a cross outside the city of Jerusalem and the time vas the feast of the Passover about A.D.30. The Bible tells us that this blow destroyed the enemy and set the prisoners free. What remains if the decisive blow has been struck ? We must proclaim the emancipation to Satan's captives. We must declare the means of freedom,the gospel, the defeat of satan, and the victory of Christ in His death and resurrection. We must participate in that ancient victory,for its proclamation is still unfinished. It is still news which many captives have not heard.

THE OFFENSIVE in the spiritual war is to be carried out by two very basic means; preaching and prayer. Preaching, when done in the power of the Holy Spirit, is an engagement on the spiritual plane. Other powers are in conflict besides the speaker and the liseners. In 2Tim.2 we can see four participants in the conflict; the Lord's servant, the opponent, God and the Devil. WE take the offensive under orders, praying and preaching in the Holy Spirit. (Ac.5:20;1Tim.2:1-6; Eph.6:18-20;Mat.9:37 & 38). Our objective is people; individuals, cities, and nations. The enemy holds them captive at his own will. Then let us move out; let us advance toward the objective, praying and preaching. Amen.

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, Looking unto Jesus,who is gone before!