Vantage Point

Spiritual readiness ... a must

During the Battle of Shiloh in the Civil War, a young soldier was wounded. His commanding officer took his rifle and sent him to the rear, apparently out of harm’s way. Shortly thereafter, the soldier appeared once again. "Captain, I’ll take that rifle back," he said. "There ain’t no rear in this here battle."

Believers often discover there is "no rear" in the battle against Satan. Though some are out front where the fighting seems fiercest, Satan commonly attacks Christians who are seemingly out of the battle.

Satan doesn’t always throw the weight of his attacks against those most prominent. He is shrewd … and knows it makes sense for him to attack Christians when they are weak and unguarded.

No one in God’s army is immune to attack. And one of the reasons some Christians cave in when they are attacked is lack of preparation. It doesn’t make sense for a soldier to wait to begin combat training until he has seen the enemy. It’s too late by then. But that’s just what many Christians do.

Believers need spiritual discipline and training in spiritual warfare before the battle gets heated. When Satan strikes an unprepared believer, the consequences are far more serious than if that believer had been growing in the Lord. Spiritual growth does not exempt you from attack, but it certainly prepares you better to fight it.

A satanic attack often means that God has great things in store. Satan does not need an all-out victory. All he needs to do is discourage. Many Christians have let discouragement rob them of victory.

But even strong Christians must always be on guard … and never underestimate the enemy. Satan is adept at striking even seasoned soldiers when their guard is down.

First Peter 5:8 instructs, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

Never assume you’re out of the battle. Spiritual preparation and growth are critical for everyone who names the name of Christ.

— Ken Horn