Was cleaning out some of the paperwork I've been collecting for months. Going thru and reading some of the stuff I've been putting aside until later. Well later is now. Anyhow read a rather long but interesting letter from a missionary in Kiev. His name is Bob Tolliver. His letter was on Spirtual Terrorism. He compares it to the tactics that terrorists use today. Some of the devices of a terrorist are distraction, diversion, division, secrecy, fear, weariness, surprise, time, intimidation etc. Here's an excerpt that I think the Christians out there may enjoy especially in light of the physical terrorism being displayed today.
Remember that courageous, authoritative perseverance is absolutely essential. The only way you can be taken out in this battle is if you quit. If you are wounded, be healed. If you are intimidated, take courage. If you are knocked down, get up. If you are confused, trust your Captain. Just stay at it. Remember you don't have to give in, give out, or give up. You have an alternative....dogged perseverance coming from a confident heart that tastes the spoils of victory.
Develop a pro-active rather than defensive stance. One of America's great football coaches said, "the best defense is a good offense" and that is clearly true. Rather than waiting for terrorism to come to you, go after the terrorists. This is one thing the world failed to do back in the late 1980's and early 1990's, and we are now paying the price for hesitation. A Christian should never under any circumstance put himself in a defensive mode.....it is inconsistent with and incompatible with the essence of the Great Commission. The "good news" was never a "come to us" message, but rather an "as you go" message. Such is also the case with the unseen terrorism of the spiritual realm.
Utilize preemptive tactics of offense rather than digging in for defense. Somehow we must get over the idea that following Christ can be done defensively. The defense comess from Christ Himself as our absolute source. He defends us; we do not defend either Him or ourselves. Because of that, we can and must take the initiative to engage in preemptive strikes.
Have you considered what this word actually means...preemptive? If I understand it correctly, it is rooted in the word "preeminence". That means, taking the first action from a position of preeminent superiority. That's exactly what we must do, because that's exactly who we are. So make incursions into the land of spiritual warfare. Take time for reconnaissance. Gain understanding of the enemy,, his logic, his resources, and his tactics. And then develop a strategy that instantaneously jerks the rug from under his feet and cuts off all resources at his disposal.
Be sure to spend sufficient time with your commanding officer. He's the One who is your absolute inexhaustible source. He is both your commander and your supplier. He is your authority as well as your strength.
If anything is more important than another, this may be the one thing that is virtually indispensable. If you want to know what your commanding officer thinks and knows, and if you want to learn from His years of wisdom and experience, then you have to take time talking to Him. Without Him you can do nothing. Don't go off with your weapon half cocked or your plan half backed. Be sure that, when you go out, you are fully aware, fully equipped, and fully intent on coming back in complete victory.
There you go....ready for battle? Sword sharp? Use it!! That means taking it out and using it! but we need to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" as we go about His business.
See you on the battlefield........