Warrior: Do You Have Cunning?
Have you ever been “blind-sided” in a strategy game of checkers, chess, or Connect Four? “Where did that piece come from? you wonder. How did I not see that move?” More importantly, have you ever been shocked by an unexpected tragedy, hurtful words from a friend, a phone call from the doctor’s office bearing bad news. We all have been in situations where, for whatever reason, we didn’t see what was coming. Though the event was no surprise to God, it was to us.
Of course, not all unexpected events can be planned for, and not all losses and sadness are enemy attacks. However, we can be sure that when we are off-balance, grieving, or have lost our way, the enemy is right there seeking to cause as much collateral damage as possible. He is an opportunist – that’s why his attacks are characterized in scripture as “fiery darts” – intended to cause as much on-going damage as possible. Jesus warned us that our enemy is a thief, who comes “only to kill, steal, and destroy.” (John 10:10a) We are also warned in I Peter 5:8 that our enemy the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” By these descriptions, we know that he is active, intentional, consistent in motivation, predictable. However, in order to live wisely, we must have cunning in our Warrior arsenal.
At first, the word cunning seems to have a negative connotation. In using this word, scripture teaches a way of life that at first glance might seem in contradiction to the kind, gentle, forbearing lifestyle that characterizes followers of Jesus. We are told to be cunning, shrewd, crafty. To be, in effect, (with the guidance of the indwelling Spirit of God) a match for our very real and ever-present opponent, the devil. To be ready and “armored up” for his attacks.
First, let’s take a look at the definition of cunning – to be mentally adept, astute, keen, piercing. Synonyms; shrewd, crafty. Why would those qualities be important to a Warrior? We have already established that like it or not, the reality is that we are in a spiritual battle – that every day lived on earth is on this battlefield. Just like in physical warfare, a knowledge of the enemy, especially being able to recognize him and know his basic strategies, is crucial to victory.
Fortunately, we have clear instructions in scripture on who our enemy is and how he operates. We are told to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you may take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12
Can you imagine being in a battle with an enemy you didn’t believe was real, and knew nothing about? Unfortunately, this is the case with far too many believers. They neither discern the presence of the true enemy nor recognize his schemes. We are taught instead, by the very words of God, to be aware, to be intentional, to strategize just as a warrior would in a physical battle, “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 2 Corinth 2: 11
It’s interesting that our enemy is primarily characterized by the qualities of shrewdness and cunning. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals that Lord God had made.” Genesis 3:1 Jesus later refers to the challenge before us when he tells his followers, recorded in Matthew 10:16, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” It’s important to note that unlike our enemy, whose goal in his cunning is always deception, we are to keep purity and innocence – like doves. Our goal in the cunning use of our wits is to keep from being deceived or led astray. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul pleads with the church to be wise in this way. He is concerned that “just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
There you have it – we are seeking to maintain and grow in our “sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” Anything less than that is the enemy’s attempt to make a move on us that blocks that purpose. We need to learn to see those moves coming – and to obey what we are taught to do. “Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:7
Sometimes it feels like we are snoozing at the wheel. That we, as followers of Christ, are not seeing clearly, not living intentionally, and are not fully aware of or engaged in the battle around us. This is not God’s will for us. We also might have a tendency to withdraw when we are under attack. Yet in scripture we are told to “bear one another’s burdens, to confess to one another, to pray for one another.” In our community of faith, there is strength. God does not intend for us to walk this faith journey alone. Even Jesus walked out his mission on earth with a band of brothers and sisters like-minded and committed to Him and the Father. Our use of cunning will not be exercised for our own benefit alone, but also for the benefit of the body of Christ as a whole and as a witness to our broken world of the victory of our risen Lord. While we do not want to dwell on thoughts of the enemy or over-emphasize his power, we are not to allow him to outwit us. We are to be aware, rather than unaware, of his schemes and tactics. In this way, Christ brings victory to the daily battles and His Kingdom is advanced, little by little, on earth as it is in heaven.
One final thought. I have a dear friend who is currently experiencing the deep pain of the loss of a loved one. She shared the secret of what gives her the strength each day to move forward. She is able to carry on in the same way a well-trained athlete responds in a competition or a well-trained soldier in a battle. During the crisis is no time to figure out how to respond. She has had years of “practicing the Way of Jesus” that equips her for such a time as this. Her body, mind, heart knows what to do – it’s what they have been trained to do: worship Jesus and draw strength from Him. He is our Source, our Rock, our unfailing Redeemer. May our witness of His Power be evident each day to this broken and struggling world around us. Thank you, Jesus, for equipping us for every good work that you call us to do.
Kathy Young
