Fighting the War on Spiritual Terrorism - Part 2

Lieutenant Colonel Greg E. Metzgar, United States Army

Last month I wrote about the need for spiritual development in our fight against an "irregular" enemy, and the requirement for "spiritual training" along with all other aspects of preparing for war.

The burst of spiritualism experienced by our fighting personnel during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991 vanished as quickly as the 100-hour victory. Within the next few years we had major moral and ethical situations such as TAIL HOOK and other high visibility leadership indiscretions and failures staining the Armed Forces in the public arena. I can recall one situation, in which just prior to our return home from Desert Storm, one officer from our Bible study was upset after finding Bibles discarded in the trash, thrown there by soldiers no longer committed once the danger had passed.

But the times change, and with the horrific events we all witnessed on 11 September 2001, we find ourselves in a protracted global conflict against terrorism. The physical dangers are very real, and everyday the news reminds us of that fact. There are amazing stories circulating today of the spiritual transformation, which occurs in a lingering conflict. To paraphrase one veteran combat chaplain, "Because of the living and dying, I would never be quite the same again…but far above all this there was another difference. Now I knew by what I had witnessed that the living God still reveals Himself to men who truly seek Him. Before, I had been taught it and had read it. Now I experienced it."

One officer noted that in today's military environment there are potential problems with sharing your faith. The question boils down to, "How in today's secular and Christian apprehensive environment can we openly teach about spiritual warfare? How do we train our personnel to overcome unconventional spiritual warfare in a predominantly non-permissive environment?" The officer concluded our number one tool for being able to speak on spiritual warfare is our personal walk and the living example we set for Christ through our continued words and actions.

The Good News is that we are not alone in this spiritual struggle. Our God is an awesome God, and by getting to know Him better, and by committing our lives to learning more about, and serving Christ, we can be the warrior Christians we aspire to be. Whether you are a soldier or marine fighting in the streets of Fallujah, or you are a staff officer in the Pentagon, we must take on the "spiritual defenses" similar to those of the Roman soldier defending the empire so many centuries ago (Ephesians 6:10-18). Mart DeHaan, in a recent reflection on spiritual warfare (RBC Ministries, January 2005) gives us seven principles applicable to winning the spiritual warfare we are engaged in:

1. The belt of truth reminds us how important it is to tell the truth. Personal integrity is a priority of spiritual conflict. Even when fear of being exposed tempts us to lie, it is far better to come clean than to trip over ourselves in the presence of our enemies. Lies are self-defeating. A commitment to be honest with God, others, and ourselves is foundational to fighting spiritual battles.

2. The breastplate of righteousness has at least two implications. First, it represents the protective gift of blamelessness our Lord uses to protect those who trust Him. No one can successfully condemn the person justified by Christ (Romans 8:31-34). Second, this critical piece of body armor reminds us to do the right thing. Our enemy loves to catch us doing anything that would jeopardize our mission and give him an unguarded path of access to our lives.

3. Feet covered with the preparation of the gospel of peace calls us to be ready for action. We have been called to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Our path will not be easy. We need to be ready to run on the difficult, rocky ground that lies between us and those who need our help to make peace with the One who died for them.

4. The shield of faith reminds people under attack how important it is to trust the Lord rather than their own natural thoughts and emotions. Rescue missions are not for the timid. The enemy knows how to frighten us with arrows of fear and doubt. Yet it is safer to trust Christ in the heat of battle than to hide in bomb shelters of our own making.

5. The helmet of salvation is described also as "the hope of salvation" (1 Thessalonians 5:8), and among other things it reminds us how important it is to think future. Like Job we may not be able to understand what is behind our present circumstances. God wants us instead to protect our minds by taking confidence in a salvation that protects us now and waits for us in heaven.

6. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. In spiritual conflict we need to remember to count on what God has said (Deuteronomy 29:29). Our Father in heaven intentionally withholds many of the answers our hearts cry out for. He asks us to trust Him for what He alone can see.

7. The alertness of a soldier reminds us that "praying always" for one another is our spiritual guard duty (Ephesians 6:18). Intercession for others is a way of showing that we know our enemy can be defeated not by our strength but by the Spirit of God in His time and in His ways.

In conclusion, we know that the ultimate victory belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As military leaders, we have an awesome responsibility to fulfill the charter we have with the American people, to fight and win our nation's wars. Each of us is committed to seeing this task through, and "we will prevail." As Christian leaders however, we have an even higher calling, one to "…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20). For us, our mission field is the military, and our battleground is against the spiritual terrorism that threatens our eternal souls!