I have long felt that leaders of a government who have not been to war should not flippantly be able to make decisions that send men and women into harm’s way. I feel the same regarding those who lead the Church. A leader without spiritual combat experience or one who dismisses or minimizes the reality of spiritual warfare should find another way to serve the Church. We need leaders in all realms of authority who are willing to face down the emerging darkness with the wisdom and compassion that only comes from the experience of spiritual combat.

This week, significant revelations have taken place. A download of a portion of long-restricted Kennedy assassination files came to light indicating our CIA was likely involved in the assassination. We also found out that batteries of highly advanced United States missile systems have been deployed to Ukraine. These missile batteries can only be operated by trained U.S. military personnel. The missiles are now in the country and we are in direct conflict with Russia.

In one case, a decision was made to hold back evidence in an attempt to protect an institution. Another decision to send missiles manned by U.S. personnel in direct confrontation with Russia is marching us closer to war for reasons not clearly articulated or disclosed by compromised politicians and the media.

I bring up these national news points to highlight a spiritual point. What takes place in the natural realm is not the source point for deception or the resulting earthly conflict it produces. It all begins in the heavens where high-level spiritual principalities are in direct conflict with angelic hosts. While these issues can produce intrigue and interest in what is happening on Earth, we must look past those issues to find our place in these conflicts and discover our specific assignment in the battle. Once we understand our assignment and what is at stake, we can step into the natural expressions of a battle and do our best to protect the innocent and expose the deceivers.  

This critical juncture in our history requires the wisdom and experience of spiritual warfare veterans. These veterans can train us and help us rise to engage in the current spiritual warfare with intercessory prayer and a subsequent engagement with the visible deceptive manifestations that are being used to divert our attention away from the real issues set before us. The secrecy of the Kennedy assassination files has been used to protect a corrupt government agency. The intentional placement of U.S. military personnel into a hot war zone was not made without intent. Nothing is without purpose.

We are experiencing a turning point in our nation and hopefully a turning point in the American church. No matter how unclear and out of control all of this can appear, never forget that the battle belongs to the Lord. Don’t lose your peace in the conflict. It is one of our most powerful weapons.