An Analogy Between a Natural Army and God’s Army

Spiritual Warfare Scriptures: Jer 51:20; Eph 6: 10-18; Luke 21:15; 1 Cor 14: 14-15, 1 Thess 5:13-23, Luke 10:19-20, 2 Tim 2:1-7

There is a distinct correlation between God’s Army and Spiritual Warfare; and a natural army and warfare. Let’s explore some of the similarities. Of course, we are not talking about war against people or natural things – but spiritual warfare.

1. You have been enlisted from the time you were in your mother’s womb, whether you like it or not. We are all in a war whether we like it or realize it. However, you must be trained, pass tests, have strength and agility, be safe and smart, know your manual (the Bible) and how to operate weaponry, be mentally able, be willing to die. Soldiers are tested and tried by fire. They never go to war without basic training and need to pass. Devote your life to the cause. Some say that God has already done it and we need to do nothing – but is your whole family and your whole city saved? Are people lining up outside before church to get inside? We have been commissioned and commanded to do warfare. Do not cheapen the Blood of Jesus who gave this authority to us by His Blood.
2. Every soldier must follow orders from his/her superior officer and ultimately the Generals and Commander in Chief (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit), otherwise that soldier can be court-martialed, hurt others or cause all to lose the battle. You must walk in alliance and submission to the Commander in Chief, Generals, your officer, Do not speak badly about your commanding officers. Have loyalty and unity. No dissension. No gossip. If there is a problem, handle it maturely like the Bible says (Matt 18:15-16). You may have to accept correction or seemingly harsh training so you can survive the real war and make a difference. Take orders willingly. (Unless those orders are not biblical, of course, but handle that in a mature, biblical fashion as well)
3. Know your enemy. The enemy is studied for its supply lines, supply houses, weaponry, warfare tactics, where its strongman is, who the strongman is, etc. You must have good discernment of the enemy/evil spirits, by the Spirit and not in your head. Discernment is always by the Spirit or, in other words, prophetic in nature. Armies defeat the enemy by destroying strongholds, weapons caches, supply lines, etc. so you must know these things about the enemy. Many have spoken and written books against warfare intercessors, saying that we concentrate too much on the enemy; however, if it is your assignment from the Lord to be a warfare intercessor, you absolutely must know your enemy (demons) as well as those fighting with you (angels). What soldier or general goes to war without knowing the enemy? Soldiers must be balanced. There is always a balance in the kingdom of God. As Christians, we must respect others’ assignments and giftings. We must try to understand and support each other even though we have differing gifts and jobs in the kingdom. Also, be aware that there are innumerable names of demons. (1 Cor 12: 20-21; 2 Cor 10:2-5)
4. You must be healed from all wounds before going out to war. Get inner healing & deliverance. Get cleaned up, healed in the infirmary (healing room or counseling or deliverance) to get free of warfare PTSD, and all spiritual, emotional wounds. No soldier should go out to war when wounded, sick, or with church PTSD or spiritual warfare PTSD. More than in a natural army, in God’s army these things can be totally healed.
5. You must know your weapons and be very familiar with them, handle them safely and correctly, be able to use them in the dark or when hurt. You don’t want to use a defective weapon. Your weapons can be your words, The Word of God, prophetic gestures, fasting, worship, warfare dance, flags, tongues, shout, shofar, instruments, anointing oil, pleading His Blood, prophetic acts, declarations, and many more.
6. Be in unity with the other soldiers – no anger or aught against the others. Know those with whom you war. Each unit marches together, united for one common cause. Soldiers are taught to march together succinctly. One does not try to outstep or overtake the other. Soldiers let leaders correct other soldiers when they need correction. Do not get into strife with your team. No “friendly fire” = don’t kill or wound other soldiers. Be extremely careful, for other’s sakes and your own. Every soldier is needed in this war. Help others. Be able to bring healing, to rescue, to do first aid for other soldiers and help heal their wounds. Encourage others. Stronger soldiers help the weaker. Lift up the one who falls and save the wounded – don’t wound them more. Do not gossip or bear false witness against another soldier or leader. Soldiers fight together with those who are Black or White, male or female, young or old, etc. No soldier left behind! (Matt 18:15-16; Luke 9: 49-50; Gal 3:28)
7. Do not talk about your warfare with the unsaved unless led by the Lord. Don’t use military terms to the unsaved, like “spiritual warfare,” because they won’t understand – they take things literally. Watch your words carefully. Some have spoken of ”tearing down the Washington Monument” for instance, referring to it as a phallic symbol but the secular world does not understand this is spiritual and not in the natural. They have believed that Christians want to destroy United States monuments. State your words carefully to others who may not understand. For instance, explain that we are not wanting to destroy a statue or art object but wish to destroy the evil presence that may inhabit that statue. Most importantly, keep your words to yourself to the secular world who cannot possibly understand until they are saved.
8. Soldiers must be fearless, courageous, free of anxiety; but careful, mature and not impulsive in a dangerous way. Don’t get overly angry, anxious or emotional so that it causes you to do something wrong. Keep a level head. Be stable. Be flexible. (Eph 6:12) Never war in the flesh or in anger like Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane when he cut off the soldier’s ear – be loving like Jesus who put the ear back on! Soldiers fear God in a reverential and respectful way, but do not fear man and what man can do to them.
9. Focus on the cause and who/what you are fighting for. It’s never your own agenda, but God’s. Soldiers don’t war for self. Soldiers do not want attention but only wish to serve. Remember your mission and stick to that. Write your vision and make it plain; then review it periodically. Know what you are fighting for – your title, promotion, or recognition? Or for more salvations, light for the kingdom and dispelling darkness? What are your motives for being a soldier? (Hab 2:2)
10. Keep your armor on (belt of truth, shield of faith, etc.) at all times. Know your armor, do not put it on as a ritual but daily in the spiritual, knowing why each part of the armor is there and be comfortable with it. Do an in-depth study of this, just as any natural soldier would concerning his/her armor and would be very familiar with their own armor. (Eph 6: 13-17)
11. Be highly trained in your special job. Stick to your task, your assignment. Some are “snipers”, some back up others, some are militia, some are Navy Seals, some are bombardiers, some musicians, some birth (travail), some build, some are generals, some captains, etc.
12. Keep going no matter what happens around you. Persevere. Never give up. Be highly trained in survival no matter what happens. Know how to keep your hope and not be discouraged. Don’t let the enemy stop your warfare by effecting you psychologically. Even failure does not equal failure unless you let it be a failure. (Eph 6:18)
13. Don’t be entangled with the affairs of life (2 Tim 2: 4). This means that we do not take our personal issues and problems into the war zone and let it affect us there – get healed first and let it go before doing warfare. Natural soldiers are not allowed letters or phone calls from home in certain times of war so that adverse news from home does not affect the whole group of soldiers in a harmful way, causing distraction. (As an example, my nephew was not allowed any news from home while being in submarine communications during Desert Storm).
14. Sometimes you can’t defend yourself in words. Let God vindicate you. Soldiers know when to keep their mouth shut. You must trust your commander, God.
15. You must know how to survive rejection, persecution, being a prisoner of war, taunting – without it hurting you. Let it mature you. Any adversity should make you grow, like Paul in prison and Daniel in Babylon. Jesus opened not his mouth except when God told him to.
16. Can you do the job and are you willing to study for it? Know the basics of the Church, Jesus’ words, and what brings Reformation, Transformation, and salvations. Study transformational intercession and the difference between intercession and prayer. Study spiritual warfare. Officers always go to training school and study wars and battles from the past. Map out how much time you actually spend in the Word each day and in His Presence, making a log.
17. Don’t let unsanctified mercy or compassion overrule what God says to do. A soldier does not have “unsanctified mercy” (this means having too much mercy for the enemy, allowing the enemy to trick you, doing things that God has not authorized, or going overboard in mercy), but follows Holy Spirit. Unsanctified mercy can allow the enemy to come into the camp, destroy the entire army and take your spoils. Intercessors never negotiate with terrorists. An example is King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20, who let the enemy see into the palace.
18. Know your authority in God. Use your authority in God. Know who backs you up. A soldier does not show cowardice or fear to the enemy but shows true authority in God. Exercise the Jesus in you. Greater is He that is in you! (1 John 4:4; Jer 1:10; Prov 3:6)
19. Never lean on your own understanding – but on God’s. (2 Tim 4:2; Prov 3:5)
20. Don’t carry guilt or shame. Conviction from Holy Spirit is healthy and leads to change, but guilt and shame can destroy and cause you to be off-balance. Guilt and shame can cause PTSD in soldiers. Repent of sin and don’t repeat the sin – but let go of guilt and shame.
21. Soldiers must be physically and mentally fit, with good character, strong in battle. You must exercise your gift, and grow in character and maturity continually. Soldiers train on their own, not just during training times. So get healthy and study your manual (the Word) on your own, get rid of flesh while growing in character – don’t leave it up to your pastor.
22. Be on guard and ready to do battle at a moment’s notice; sleep with “one eye open” and with your weapons beside you. Be instant in and out of season. A soldier is never off guard but always listens to Holy Spirit and his commanders. Be ever ready and vigilant, always on the lookout. Listen to your commander and always be “prayed up.” Things can change in an instant. Always keep your eyes and ears open. (2 Tim 4:2; 1Pet 5:8)
23. You must follow orders precisely and be in perfect timing, not ahead of the Commander (Holy Spirit), and not behind in timing. You can get others killed or lose the whole war if your timing is not precise and if you are doing it on your own orders. Be sure of your prophetic gifting and hearing the Lord’s voice. Get prophetic training and perfect your gift. You must know His (your Commander in Chief’s) voice and must be able to discern the voice of the enemy. Therefore, you must know prophecy; and by reason of use, practice it (Heb 5:14). This might be the most important and most critical aspect of warfare. Take courses in hearing God’s voice (I highly recommend Dr. Bill Hamon’s three main books on prophecy and his training modules on prophecy). This prevents you and others from danger and provoking the enemy.
24. Judah (worship) always goes first – as in any natural war. But Judah never goes alone, never without the warriors. You must always enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise, then worship to go into battle by entering the Holy of Holies – this is the way to be safe in warfare. Every natural army has a band or bugler, calling the army to war. Some instill fear in the enemy’s camp supernaturally with their worship, prophetic dance, and shofars. (Josh 6; 2 Chron 20:33: Ps 100:4).
25. War in truth, never in error. You must know the Word and interpret it correctly. Know exactly what the Bible says about spiritual warfare so you will not be deceived. Don’t add to the Bible. Don’t just memorize but know the concepts, the meaning, and meditate on the Word. (Rev 22:18-19)
26. Don’t argue with those with more experience or knowledge, or your superiors. It’s okay to state your opinion but listen to those who know more about the Word and have more true experience (tested and tried) in warfare. Listen to those with more experience and higher rank for advice, direction, wisdom, and knowledge, Verify everything by the Word.
27. It does not matter how long you have been in the army (God’s or natural) if you haven’t learned much along the way. It matters what and how much you have learned. No soldier is promoted just on years serving – ever. Be always growing. Be teachable. Wisdom is the principle thing. Promotion comes from maturity and growth –  not years of experience. (Prov 4:7)
28. God’s warriors can spiritually take the spoils for the kingdom. Soldiers get paid in the natural but their true reward is in heaven and knowing the lives saved. However, you can take the spoils and demand what the devil has stolen to come to you and the kingdom every time you war (Isa 33:23).
29. Intercessors are watchmen – they report back to the leader (God, the pastor or prayer leader) but never control the leader. It is that leader’s decision as to what to do with your watchman report; not yours. Give the report to the leader when appropriate and don’t grumble if the leader does not do exactly what you believe should happen. Some intercessors have made the mistake of controlling the pastor or a leader, thinking that they themselves hear God better than the pastor about what the church should be doing; and when the pastor does not do what they think he/she should do, they have complained, spoke or prayed against him/her, or left the church – don’t do this.
30. Soldiers do not judge people unrighteously, but they do discern spirits and judge whether the enemy is going to attack, where he will attack from, etc. They can judge whether there is a “spy” or witch in the camp, but this is always by Holy Spirit prophetically, and rare in occurrence. Don’t go on ungodly “witch-hunts.” Discernment is what God says about a situation or person – not what is in your mind.
31. Never desert the leaders, or the Army, or God. Maintain your position that you are assigned. Do not go AWOL. Never be a lone wolf – these are not part of an army, they are renegades. Soldiers do not go it alone. Armies need Allied Forces to help them and back them up. All soldiers get revived at their military outpost which for us is the church. Do not forsake the assembly of other believers. Watchmen…stay on the wall!
32. Always be properly aligned with a church or ministry that knows warfare who can cover you, give you advice, and understand your gift. Sometimes warrior intercessors are misunderstood but it may mean that they don’t have the right covering (alignment) or are not in the right church that understands their gift. Do not war on your own even if you feel you are misunderstood – it may mean that you need correction or that you are in the wrong church. Be sure to hear clearly from the Lord about this because He may want you to fight for that church and stay. Commanders should know a great deal about the jobs of the soldiers under him/her.
33. Never give clues to the enemy. Never show the enemy where he can attack you or get you off course. A soldier must know how to keep his/her mouth shut. Know the power of your words. Do not gossip. The enemy can hear you. You must always be stealth; don’t warn the enemy. Be like Navy Seals. Soldiers don’t talk about their operations or plans where the enemy can hear (always bind the enemy from hearing your intercessory war plans ahead of time and immediately after – see my blog for info). It is very dangerous and gives the enemy clues if you bind demons without God’s clear direction and timing. Safe warfare is possible when following Him. Be careful with your words and do not empower the enemy by talking about your fears, how he has affected you in warfare adversely, how bad the warfare is, etc. – there is balance in this too. It is a very dangerous thing to do when warring and can destroy a church when you do not just follow the Lord in intercession. Intercessors have often copied other intercessors, giving the enemy clues and taunting him, provoking him. It is not following the Lord by saying such things as “I stand against ____ (spirit’s name or Satan)” which only taunts the enemy; it is better to be proactive. Instead, STOP that spirit, tell it to go away, or bind it. Standing against does nothing but provoke it. Never say such things as; “I bind____(spirit name)____ for 30 days.” (I have often heard this – it not only does not make any logical sense but is not biblical, is not following Holy Spirit, and empowers the enemy as well). See #48- scud missiles.
34. Repent of your mistakes. Repent of your sins. Own your mistakes. If there is true repentance, there is change and the bad behavior and bad warfare stops. Soldiers can never blame-shift or lie. Get rid of your own sin so there are no inroads. BUt do not carry the baggage of shame – repent and give it to God. Do not get a dishonorable discharge!
35. Have peace amid the battle. Be able to rest in war. It is possible to rest in war just like Jesus was calm and rested in the storm. You can rest when you trust in Him and follow His orders.
36. You must have a battle strategy. Have a plan and study it. Confer with others when needed, and have mentors and wise counselors. Have other warrior intercessors to “cover” you. (Prov 12: 15; Prov 11:14)
37. Get rid of all pride – you must have humility. The only pride that a soldier should have is pride in God’s power and ability. Without Him, you can do nothing. It is He that gives the power, does the action, and gives the victory. Soldiers don’t brag on themselves but give God ALL the Glory for victories. Pride is dangerous and is a sin. (Matt 26:41)
38. A soldier is not indifferent, asleep, or lazy. Soldiers are committed to the cause, powerful, energetic, focused, and alert.
39. A soldier is not lacking in love or compassion, and always wars in love. The only one you are allowed hate is the devil. Be sure to differentiate between war in the Old Testament with that of the New Testament. Mercy always triumphs over judgment. As in natural warfare, a soldier needs to not war with people at home or in the community when returning from warfare – the same goes for God’s warriors who must differentiate between anger against the devil and his demons vs natural surroundings and occurrences. Those who show no mercy will be shown no mercy. (James 2:13) The whole Bible is important, and the Old Testament gives us war strategies in analogous form; but we all live in the New Testament Age, so must war in love always. Refresh yourself with reading the red letters of Jesus in the New Testament. Intercessors are not called by God to maim, hurt, or destroy people. Warriors need to be careful to never war in the flesh.
40. A soldier never does charismatic witchcraft or soulish praying and knows what those terms mean. A soldier does not harm the innocent or pray his own will, but God’s will. (Eph 6:12; Eph 5:17) Charismatic witchcraft means praying your will and not God’s; also termed “soulish prayers”. If you are following Holy Spirit, charismatic witchcraft will not happen. When in doubt when praying, add “whatever is your will, Lord” to the end of your intercession.
41. A soldier must protect himself and others. Always war safely. Soldiers must walk circumspectly, meaning that they are careful in their walk, avoiding landmines. Always bind backlash and plead the Blood of Jesus with every intercession time, prayer time, and prophetic meeting. Know what “pleading the Blood of Jesus” means. Warfare is not dangerous when following guidelines and following Holy Spirit (Eph 5:15). Many books and sermons have been written saying that spiritual warfare should not be done, as they believe it is too dangerous. However, this happens when not following Holy Spirit, when not interceding by the Word, when doing charismatic witchcraft or soulish prayers, when not taking proper precautions, when in pride, and when not binding backlash.
42. A soldier knows the serious consequences of not winning a battle and what happens to a person who goes to hell. Therefore, soldiers have compassion for the lost and are concerned about souls above all (I encourage you to read 23 Minutes in Hell, by Bill Weise).
43. You must know how to get into His Presence and what true worship is. You must know how precise directions from Holy Spirit come by being in the Throne Room (His Presence), the Holy of Holies. You must know the difference between praise, worship, and songs that do not glorify the Lord. Precise and safe warfare comes from being in the Holy of Holies. Worship is warfare. (Ps100:4)
44. Soldiers must have integrity, honesty, and self-control. You must be disciplined. Know the 7 things God hates. (Prov 6:16-19)
45. After a war, the soldiers rebuild and replace (Matt 12:45). After binding demons, always rebuild the person, church, city or business. Always replace demons that have been bound in a city and sent to the feet of Jesus. Replace them with such things as: redemptive gifts strengthened and brought forth; good seeds to be brought forth; God’s Presence to prevail, etc. When a person is truly delivered, they need healing so that seven more do not return – the same is true for a city or church or business.
46. Don’t pay attention to distractors or naysayers, unrighteous judgers or those who are not listening to the Lord. Know the difference between distracting naysayers, and when God is trying to tell you something or bring correction through others.
47. You must make good, wise, and informed decisions. Wisdom is the principle thing in warfare. (Prov 4:7)
48. Focus on a specific target. Do not send out scud missiles but send out precise smart bombs that hit the target 100% of the time. This requires hearing from the Lord prophetically and precise timing. Do not just shoot when you think you should and shoot an enemy that God has not told you to shoot. Everything that infects a church or city is not only Jezebel, Leviathan, or Python – there are so many more that you have not heard of yet, but the Lord can tell you what it is and why.
49. Know your weaknesses, and sometimes the weaknesses of others, so that you can improve yourself, help the weak ones be successful, and so you can be safe – this way we all win.
50. Know when to call for help.
51. Soldiers get R and R (Rest and Relaxation) when needed or when ordered by the Lord. No soldier should continually battle without some rest. Soldiers also need joy.
52. Do not engage an enemy while you are unprotected so that a demon can infect you. Guard yourself and your spirit. Know safety precautions and use them. Don’t be haughty and go it alone when binding demons in any case. Never war in pride. I have seen many intercessors and deliverance ministers be “infected” demonically due to not following precautions, from getting prideful, or from going ahead of the Lord, out of His timing.
53. Soldiers always learn easier things before the harder. After they achieve lesser things, they can advance to the harder. For instance, never bind a principality before having successful experience in binding little “imp” demons. A warrior does not do things that he/she is not properly trained to do. For example, an infantryman does not jump into a stealth bomber and try to fly it without proper testing, training, instruction, and experience.
54. When your Commander (God) calls you to attention, or when you are in His Presence, don’t talk – just listen! Be ready for Him to say “ATTENTION!”
55. Sometimes you must do seemingly smaller tasks before getting to the main perpetrator – the strongman. For instance, just like allied forces had to take out airports, supply lines, and command posts, before getting to Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War, in spiritual warfare we most often must repent, break ungodly ties and curses, and other tasks before binding a principality. This is always safe and in order when following the Lord’s voice.
56. Never engage with the enemy, meaning you don’t talk or argue with a demon – they cannot be reasoned with and always lie. Don’t give power to an evil spirit (the enemy).
57. Know what can stop your intercession as written in the Bible. There are things, biblically, that can disqualify you. Unforgiveness, bitterness, not taking care of your spouse, doubt, asking amiss, not helping the poor, and some other sins and iniquities are things that the Bible says stop your intercession from being heard. (James 1:5-7; 1 Pet 3:7; Prov 28:9; Ps 66:18; Isa 59:2; James 4:3; Prov 21:13)
58. Soldiers never retire. We are all soldiers for life.

AS WE SAY TO OUR NATURAL SOLDIERS, WE SAY TO YOU INTERCESSORS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

(Copyright 2019 SPCM Melissa Nordell)