Articles
Defense Mode
During my time in the military, we did a lot of training to face potential enemies. We studied their tactics, equipment, and habits, all to gain some advantage should the day of battle ever come. [Thankfully, it did not.] During one particular month-long exercise, we were involved in ‘war games’ that consisted of one week in defensive mode and, after one day of rest, another week on the offensive. Especially during this concentrated period of training, it was emphasized to every soldier the need to be alert at all times, since we did not always know when the ‘enemy’ would attack. That meant always wearing your helmet and always having your protective gear within reach, including a gas mask.
Though we might not have thought about it, the entire time we were operating within this extended military exercise, we were essentially in ‘defense mode,’ prepared for any potential attack on our unit. It was hoped that all the soldiers would carry that preparedness over into their everyday activities and training, since we didn’t know when a real enemy would decide to launch an attack, either.
In the spiritual sense, Christians would do well to follow that pattern since we, too, do not know when our spiritual adversary will come for us. We hopefully know that we do have an enemy — one Peter warns us about when he admonished the early disciples, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Pet. 5:8, 9). We should also know this warning is given in the hopes we, too, will always be prepared, because he isn’t going to give us any warning and he is looking for any weakness or inattentiveness in our lives that he might gain an advantage and defeat us.
If you care about your soul, you will be in a lifetime ‘defense mode,’ too. This is no mere game or training exercise, but life itself and the potential for consequences that are eternal. Might I offer a few suggestions to be prepared?
Treat the Enemy As If He is Real. The 1995 movie The Usual Suspects had a quote similar to one of a 19th-century French writer: “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” While many today say they still believe the devil is real [a slight majority, according to a 2023 Gallup poll, at 58%], very few live daily as if they actually do believe he is real. Many, in fact, will mock the idea when someone starts speaking of the devil in terms that indicate his existence is not mere fantasy or scare tactics.
While most people would be somewhat insulted if it was believed they were not real, the devil relishes this fact, for it gives him an immediate advantage! For those who doubt or deny his existence, there will be no preparation, no defenses, and no concern for their souls whatsoever. When he prowls about like that roaring lion, he will find ‘easy pickings,’ just like those animals that stray from the safety of the herd, or the one simply not paying attention. He will defeat the unprepared easily, and then move on for the next soul. We would do well to acknowledge the truth of what Peter wrote, that we have an “adversary” who is out to destroy us, and then “be vigilant.”
Be Aware of His Tactics. This is something most military units do on a regular basis, and for good reason: It informs you, to some degree, as to what can be expected. Of course, there are always surprises [that’s also a tactic], but if you know there are certain things the enemy does, you may learn to counter and defeat such efforts.
When Paul wrote the second letter to the Corinthians, he addressed the sinning brother he had written about in the first letter, and the fact he apparently had repented. To the brethren there, he wrote that they were to “forgive and comfort him” and “reaffirm your love to him” lest he be “swallowed up with too much sorrow,” and noted that whoever they had forgiven, Paul had also forgiven “for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:6-11). In those last words there is a point we should not overlook, but one we should take seriously! Are we aware of our spiritual adversary’s “devices” [tactics]?
Deception is his main tactic, for he “is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). The first sin came about because he lied to Eve in the Garden (Gen. 3:4), and this world’s history is filled with his work. His deception has no limits, either, for he often “transforms himself into an angel of light” and has many ‘helpers’ who “also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:14, 15). One of them may be standing in a pulpit this very week!
Know, too, that he will use our weakness against us. Just as any military unit looks for weaknesses to exploit, so will the devil when planning his attack against us. He knows “each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (Jas. 1:14, 15), so he will use our own desires to entice us to sin. Do you know your desires and how to overcome temptations? You must know that the devil is going to find out and use it against you!
It is because we are in such a spiritual battle for our souls that Paul urges us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). It is that armor that will protect us as we defend “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12), and with “the shield of faith…you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Eph. 6:13-17). Don’t leave any piece of the armor behind, for he will use that as an opportunity.
One of the most reliable and effective defenses against his deceptions is, of course, truth, for, as Jesus noted, “there is no truth in him” (cf. John 8:44). This means we must know God’s word thoroughly, for it is truth (John 17:17); when we answer his attacks and deceptions with truth, he will be defeated every time! It is no surprise that when Paul described “the whole armor of God,” the only offensive weapon in the panoply is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:10-17). It is what will decisively defeat our spiritual adversary. When defending against such an enemy, use your sword!
Resist Him. It sounds almost too simple to be true or effective, but God’s word tells us plainly, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7). Now, don’t misunderstand this; he is not saying he will leave and never come back. Resistance means he will flee this time, but he will be back, and looking for another opportunity, just as he did with our Lord (Luke 4:13). But to defend against the enemy, we must resist!
Knowing he is real, knowing his tactics, and even putting on the armor of God will do us little good if we do not actively and wholeheartedly resist our enemy! We cannot sit idly by while the enemy approaches; we cannot pretend he doesn’t exist; and we cannot refuse to fight. Defeat is certain unless we resist!
Don’t Give Him an Opportunity. Paul’s warning is simple: “give no opportunity to the devil” (Eph. 4:27, ESV). Our enemy is formidable and has many weapons, tactics, and helpers; don’t make it easy for him!
Defense mode: Activated! — Steven Harper
