Friday, February 22,  2008

On the Offensive

“Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)

During the Korean War, a unit known as Baker Company was separated from the regiment, and enemy forces were advancing on them.  For several hours, no word came from Baker Company.  Finally, radio contact was made, and when asked for a report of their situation, Baker Company replied: “The enemy is to the east of us.  The enemy is to the west of us.  The enemy is to the south of us.  The enemy is to the north of us.”  Then, after a brief pause, the voice continued, “And this time, we’re not going to let them escape.”

It seems that way in the life of the believer.  The enemy is at every turn.  Yet some Christians don’t realize that the Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground.  They are oblivious to the fact that a war is raging.  And in this war, they are either winning or losing.

In a battle, it's always better to be an aggressor rather than of a defender, because the defender is simply waiting for the enemy’s next attack, hoping he will survive.  If we, as believers, are always defending, then the devil is in the superior position.  But if we are attacking, then we are in the superior position.  When the apostle Paul wrote about the armor of God in Ephesians 6, he mentioned one offensive weapon: “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17).

Make no mistake about it: there is authority and power in the Word of God.  God’s Word sticks.  God’s Word breaks through.  God’s Word impacts.  When the enemy has you surrounded, keep him on the defensive with the Word of God.

Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries.  All rights reserved.  Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved. 

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to  www.harvest.org.