Rules of Engagement
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” Ephesians 6:13
Stand Firm – Paul was fond of military metaphors. This passage about the armor of God certainly is one of his best. When he concludes the thought, he supplies us with an exclamation point by using this particular word, stenai. It is actually a derivative from another verb, histemi, a form that means, “stand firm” or “endure”.
Take a closer look at Paul’s thought. Paul tells us to put on the whole armor. Don’t forget any part of it. Do everything necessary. Once you have taken care of being properly outfitted, stand firm. Now ask yourself what’s missing. Is this how you would advise a combat unit? Would you tell them to “lock and load” and then just stand there? Our usual military operations are not quite the way God does things. God expects us to come prepared for battle, but He does not ask us to make an attack. We have only one battlefield task. Hold the ground that God wins. Don’t retreat!
It seems a little stupid, doesn’t it? Why go through all the trouble of putting on Kevlar vests and helmets, picking up riot shields and an M-16 if you’re not going to fight? Then the light goes on. It’s God’s fight, not ours. Remember what happened to the Israelites when they thought they could go to battle on their own, even with God’s ark? (1 Samuel 4:1-11). If God isn’t handling the battle, we lose even if we are marching around with a cross. Symbols mean nothing. God’s presence is the only real weapon. Nevertheless, we do have something important to do. We have to hold our ground. Take a stand. Don’t retreat. God will engage the enemy but we have to be ready to hold the line. Our armor is not there to make us invulnerable as we attack. It is there so that the ricochets and shrapnel won’t kill us while God is destroying the opposition.
Here are the Rules of Engagement. One: Let God lead. Two: Trust His battle plan. Three: Defend the ground He gains. Four: Don’t retreat.
If you engage in a battle when God’s not on the field, don’t expect to win. If you’re suffering defeats at the hands of the enemy, maybe you need to check the Rules of Engagement. Are you fighting under a symbol or are you holding your ground in the presence of the living God? Are you leading the attack because it seems like the right thing to do or are you standing fast on the ground God gains?
