Introduction
‘Sun Tzu’s military treatises The Art of War (TAOW) written around the 5th century BC, is one of the first known written strategies on military science and warfare in history. Its principles and tactics have been taught in military schools such as West Point and Annapolis. It is said that inspiration from this treatises was used by Generals and leaders across the globe; leaders such as: Douglas MacArthur, Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong.
This particular topic can not be encompassed in only one paper. It will consist of several parts. This paper will be the foundation of others yet to be written. Watch for them in my Blog https://www.perryzone.com. click here
The Problem
We Christians have been in a constant state of warfare with our enemy Satan sense the fall of mankind spoken of in Genesis chapter 3. Today in these final days of the last dispensation of Grace this warfare in intensifying at an exceedingly rapid rate. It is my consensus that our engagement in this warfare against evil must also increase. Our actions must not only be defensive as in warding off illnesses, financial problems, family problems and other demonic attacks. We must also be offensive, attacking sin in all its forms and manifestations. These sins are in our government, schools, even church teachings that come through false prophets. We are soldiers, conscripted into the Army of God at salvation. Therefore, applying Sun Tzu’s book on the Art of War to our current state seems reasonable. Hence this paper.
The Plan
Tzu’s book is broken into 13 Chapters. Below I have outlined the chapters and laid out Christian principles that can and should be applied to today’s Army of God of which we are all soldiers. In subsequent Blogs I will go further in depth into each principle (Title below).
| Chapter Number | Title | Content | Christian Prospective | Scripture Base |
| 1 | Laying Plans | Thinking, Assessing and Comparing | Spiritual Warfare is an essential part of our Christian life. As in TAOW* it employs: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline | The whole Bible, Joshua 5:13-15; Proverbs 19:21, 19:23, 112:14; |
| 2 | Waging War | Count the Cost, Use Understanding, Be Prepared | Be prepared to die if you want to live. Total Commitment to your Leader Know The Word | Ezekiel 38:7, Daniel 10:1, Revelation 12:11 |
| 3 | Attack by Stratagem | Mounting the Attack, What Strategy, Alliances, | When to defend and when to attack Weapons of warfare Partners | Joshua 10:19, Joshua, Proverbs 149:5-9, Matthew 9: 37, 38 |
| 4 | Tactical Disposition | Understanding Defending Recognizing Advancing | When to attack What to attack How to attack Moving forward | John 17: 1-28, Colossians 2:10 |
| 5 | Use of Energy | Rest Aid Persistence | The enemy will use fatigue against you Get help – prayer warriors Never give up. | Deuteronomy 20:1-4, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:7, Isiah 30:15 |
| 6 | Weak Points and Strong | Enemy Weakness Source of Strength | The name of Jesus Our authority in Christ | Isiah 40:29 Romans 8:26 2 Timothy 1:7 |
| 7 | Maneuvering an Army | Dangers Standing Ground | Wimpy prayers Getting tired Your ego | Joel 2:11, Matthew 6:24, Luke 10:20, James 1:6-8 |
| 8 | Variation of Tactics | Flexibility Change Tactics | Attach from different angles, prayer, the Word, Speaking in Tongues, etc. | Matthew 18:20, Ephesians 6:13, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 10:25, |
| 9 | The Army on the March | New Situations New Terrain | The Family, Home, Neighborhood, State, Country, others | Genesis 12:3, 2 Chronicles 7:14 Psalm 2:28 |
| 10 | Classification of Terrain | Distance Dangers Barriers | There is no “distance” in the Holy Ghost. Beware: Guilt, Lies, False teachers and prophets | Habakkuk 3:19 Proverbs 3: 5-6, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 12:12 |
| 11 | Nine Situations | Health, Family, Friends, Neighbors Acquaintances, Local Magistrates, America, Jerusalem, The End Times | Praying in tongues, Pray in your language, Lying on of hands, be a Missionary (in spirit if not in flesh), | Matthew 21:22 John 5:16 1 John 5:15, Jeremiah 29:12-13, Revelation 12:9 |
| 12 | Attack by Fire | Weapons | Spiritual Armor | Ephesians 6:17-18 |
| 13 | Use of Spies | Seeking Knowledge | Be informed Word of Knowledge Holy Spirit | Numbers 13:1-3 |
*TAOW – The Art of War
The Process
In upcoming Blogs I will break down the above Plan and detail the Process needed to effectively engage in battle. There is much too much information to scribe in one paper. Note also that there are many Scriptural basis for the Principles listed. I have not written them out but will do so later. So come with me, as we continue to journey together into studying The Art of War as it pertains to The Army of God.
Food for Thought
Years ago as my wife and I were growing in the Lord we learned about the Armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6:13 – 18. The picture that we were given and the same one that is often used in Sunday School, is of a young boy clothed in this Roman armor. This picture annoyed me to know end. The type of Soldier I want fighting for me is one who has rippling muscles, is dirty, scared, and bloodied with the wages of experience. And, this is what we need to be. Long gone are the plastic shields and swords of Sunday School.
Years Ago
When I was a young boy in Catholic School I looked forward to my day of Confirmation. In the Catholic church, Confirmation was when you received the Holy Ghost and became a Soldier of Jesus Christ. To do so you had to be 13 years of age and memorize various sections of the Catholic Catechism. The Catechism was a book that asked various questions to which we needed to know the answer. For example it asks; “Why did God make you?” The response is; “God made us to know Him, Love Him and serve Him in this world so that we can be with Him in the next.” Not a bad response. My focus, however, was on becoming a Soldier in God’s Army. This was when Catholics received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Let’s not go into the theology. The concept is good.) We, however, become members of the Army of God at Salvation and receive power when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (To see my Blog on this click here)
Picture this Scenario
A Roman soldier is coming down a dirt road from battle. He’s on his way home to his family before his next assignment. His armor is dented and he is dirty, scarred and somewhat crusted with wounds from battle. On his way home, tired and walking slow, he spots a young boy about 10, on the side of the road. This soldier then does a strange thing. He reaches into his tunic and pulls out a soiled rag. He kneels down near the boy and wipes the young boys face, dirty nose and tears. Then this soldier gets up and proceeds home, no words are spoken. This is a true picture of meekness. The young boy continues to cry softly. The weary soldier knows that the young boy’s father, will not be coming home. This is the type of Soldier I want in my army. This is the type of Soldier I want to become.
Enough said, for now
“Thy Words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16)
