Disarm Your Heart

"The Aim Is To Disarm the Enemy

I have already said that the aim of warfare is to disarm the enemy and  it is time to show that, at least in theory, this is bound to be so. If the enemy is to be coerced you must put him in a situation that is even more unpleasant than the sacrifice you call on him to make. The hardships of that situation must not of course be merely transient–– at least not in appearance. Otherwise the enemy would not give in but would wait for things to improve. Any change that might be brought about by continuing hostilities must then, at least in theory, be of a kind to bring the enemy still greater disadvantages. The worst of all conditions in which a belligerent can find himself is to be utterly defenseless. Consequently, if you are to force the enemy, by making war on him, to do your bidding, you must either make him literally defenseless or at least put him in a position that makes this danger probable." - General Clausewitz, On War

Just a reminder here:  The enemy's are spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12), not other humans or groups of people.

There are some interesting parts of this quote:

1. "The hardships of that situation must not of course be merely transient". Sin is ever waiting at the door, waiting for the opportunity to tempt and indulge the flesh.  If we give in to the little thoughts, the little looks, or any other type of compromise gives hope to the heart. The ongoing war with sin is fought daily.  There can be no quarter, no hesitation, no wavering in our reaction to temptation.  It must be dealt with immediately and strongly with a rebuke of the heart and a prayer to the Lord for forgiveness and strength.
2. We must always be searching for ways to make the enemy defenseless.  Through continued reliance on the Holy Spirit, renewing our minds, cleansing our hearts, and keeping ourselves from the influences of the world we strip away the power of the enemy (Philippians 4:8)