We have to advance, retreat, attack and defend ourselves in every match/battle we find ourselves in, but when should we lay down arms in defeat.  NEVER, we stand and stand firm. I stated before in an earlier post, that “we don’t fight for victory but from a place of victory”. We are in Christ, and we in Him and Jesus has already defeated the adversary.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand, therefore…

Ephesians 6:12-14a ESV

Standing firm is not just allowing the adversary to beat on when you are weak from the consist battle. You may have been in the fight for a seemingly long time, sometimes advancing and attacking but more and more it seems as you have just been reacting and defending. There are a few options you can do from the place of standing.

Retreat

This is a valid battle tactic and is used in many styles of combat. We as believers have thought and been taught that it is a weakness to retreat, but this is incorrect. A single retreat can break the concentration and the plan of your adversary, causing them to have to now react.  You can retreat to a place of great tactical advantage and lastly but not only. You can treat to a place of safety like into your king’s walled city and call for reinforcements.

Reinforcement

Call for reinforcement? We have bought into the propaganda that the adversary has put out.  That “we are not walking in God strength if we ask for help” or that “see God does not care about you”. These are far from the truth.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 ESV

“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

Besides the obvious asking God for help you may need to recruit other warriors to help with the battle. In Roman legions, they would lock shields together to create a shield wall that the weary would have protection during the battle and the weary could rest for a moment and be strengthen.

Remember this is not fighting against a person but spiritual darkness.  If you get other warrior and particular person names keep coming up then you could enlist others to war against a person and not the true enemies. (Example: “pray for my wife, my wife does this, my wife does that, my wife, my wife… “ instead “ please pray against the spirit of divorce, confusion and that God love will increase”. ) If someone is enlisted my help in battle and I hear name bashing I will stop them and redirect them in the spiritual issue to war against.

Reassignment 

Thought out the battle God may reassign your battle tactics. Not that He calls you out of the battle but to attack from a different advantage point. This type of military advice could come from another warrior. You need to be able to trust those around you, being it a coach, pastor, friends or even God himself.  They may have a great advantage point while coming alongside you in the battle, that you could not see while engaging the adversary. “You are not able to see the forest through all the trees.”

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.  The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Exodus 14:13-14 ESV

Application

• Know how and when to retreat during battle
• Find warriors that will help reinforce your position
• Get some military advice on where to focus your attacks
• Finally, “FEAR NOT and STAND FIRM” knowing that ”
  The Lord will fight for you”