Words of Roy

In Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, we are taught that “the art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin, hence it is a subject of study which must not be neglected.

“All warfare is based on deception. If your enemy is secure at all points be prepared for him. If he is of superior strength, evade him. Pretend to be weak so that he may grow to be arrogant. If he is tired, do not allow him to rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

“Supreme excellence in warfare consists of breaking an enemy’s resistance without fighting. The highest form of Generalship is to frustrate an enemy’s plans, the next best is to prevent the enemy from consolidating his forces.

Know your enemy

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. If you know yourself, but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

I am confident that Sun Tzu did not intend for The Art of War to be used to prepare the saints of God for battle against evil. But he was a very wise man for his time. He understood who his enemies were and how they would act in any given conflict. As a result, he was one of China’s greatest military leaders. The wisdom he gained and shared can help us in our war for the souls of men.

The enemy never rests

Who is our enemy, do we know? Who desires to destroy our happiness and make us miserable like unto himself?  I speak of the great Diablo, even the adversary. Elder David A. Bednar taught that “Satan is the enemy of righteousness and of those who seek to do the will of God. All day, every day, his only intent and sole purpose are to make the sons and daughters of God miserable like unto himself.”

Like a predator, the enemy never rests. His warfare is based on deception. He attacks when we are weak. He beguiles us to believe that he is weak, or just non-existent. Satan uses every weapon at his disposal to place a wedge between us and God. Once that wedge is in place, he relentlessly presses his attacks to break our connection to the One who can save us.

Know yourself

We know our enemy; do we know ourselves? What are our defenses? Where is our sanctuary? What are our weaknesses? Where are we safe? What is the battle plan? Who is our commanding officer? What is our rank? If we do not know ourselves, we will succumb to every battle.

My friends, we must be united with our General, even Jesus Christ. We cannot hope to fight this war against evil without Him. If we do not know our role in His army, how can we support His cause? If we do not obey His commands, how can we be on His side?

Put on the armor of God

In Ephesians chapter six we know that we must arm ourselves with the sword of truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Take the helm of salvation and the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. And shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. If we are not prepared to defend ourselves, we cannot defend those we love, nor those whom God loves.

Ephesians 6:10, 13 says: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Stand steadfastly, my friends, fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.