The Silent Enemy
I got up early this morning, around 3:00 a.m.; I am preparing my material for a lesson that I will be presenting soon and wanted to get some thoughts on paper. I opened my shutters and looked out my front window and saw my peaceful neighborhood, with scattered streetlights and calm homes resting with no care. I start to wonder how we can ever properly perceive the battle that we are engulfed in, when everything around us takes us out of the foxholes and away from any battleground, providing only peace and prosperity. How is it that we remain the militant kingdom in a battle for our lives?
We do not “see” the battle, unless we view the world through the lens that the Holy Spirit has provided us, which is the Word of God. What a fortunate combat zone then for Satan, warring against those who cannot properly define the enemy. And so, he freely roams on our earth, in our institutions, in our towns, and in our homes, and at times breaking through the frontlines to roam in the hearts of kingdom citizens. And, for those who do not have the instruction of battle seared in their minds, those not equipped and armed, those without clear understanding of the plan for victory, the enemy will attack and kill. The dead are left, to aid in the purpose of their new leader and commander, without understanding.
In the beginning portion of the letter that defines our spiritual armor of God, we are told of the war, we are given the map and guidelines of the walk, and we are reminded of the source of the life that has been given to us, though we were once dead ourselves. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2: 4-10).
I do not know what battle fields I will be called to; I cannot foresee what wounds may be inflicted on me in future wars. I am not able to understand ahead of time the lessons and strengthening I must endure as I meet the prince of darkness and ruler of the earth. But I must understand that my enemy is present on quiet and prosperous days just as he is when he enters my life, announcing himself with trumpets. Either way, whenever he arrives, I must “be alive” in an army that walks in light, that I may not die in the battle for my heart.
Being dead, we are now alive, delivered from our enemy’s hand – transported and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love; “delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love…” (Col 1:13). We all understand the concept of the conveyor system, defined as “a fast and efficient mechanical handling apparatus for automatically transporting loads and materials from one area to another.”
I sit by a window as often as I can when flying. I watch as luggage is conveyed from the tarmac to my plane, feeling most secure when I have watched my own suitcase be safely tucked away on the plane that I have boarded. My baggage will not be left below to be tossed about and misdirected; it will arrive at the same time to the same destination that I am hopeful to reach myself. The pilot and plane itself, which without human or mechanical error, will provide me safe travel, will also provide the same security for the baggage that has been conveyed to the hidden part of the plane. Our deliverance in the battle, comes as we are conveyed, transported – out of the battle ground into the kingdom of the Son. Lifted high above the fray and tucked away in the shelter of the rock, hidden and secure in the kingdom that is directed by the God of heaven and provides all spiritual blessings that come from His realm.
It is then, when our minds and hearts are transformed by the wisdom and knowledge that come through the Kingdom of the Son that we are able to perceive and conquer the battles that surround us. We have peace though we understand our enemy lurks about wanting to devour us, we have joy when the misfortunes and trials of the world toss us about, we are kind when others are mean and spiteful, and we are patient and serve with love when we are weary and tired. The unknown, unheard, unseen, undetected dangers cannot interfere with our travel, for our pilot makes no errors, and our commander is more powerful than our enemy.