The Bible-A War Manual?

Kind of a weird thought isn't it?  A lot of people think of God as peace and love, etc.  However there is a warrior side to God.  A violent, vengeful side.  That somehow doesn't square with how a lot of people like to view God. 

Then as we move on to Jesus, the image of a warlike, violent, and vengeful God seems even more foreign.  After all it's Jesus that tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, etc.  But look at what Jesus said in Matthew.

Matthew 10:34-36(NKJV)

34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

35For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 

36and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ £ 

As I have written many times in the past, the Bible is a book of balance.  There is no contradiction in my mind between a peaceful God and a warrior God.  As Ecclesiastes say "there is a time for everything under the sun".

So your probably wondering where I am going with this.  So am I.  This is kind of evolving as I'm typing.

I've been reading in Joshua.  The Israelites have crossed the Jordon.  They've taken some land and had some success so they decide to go against another country, AI.  They do so without inquiring of God.  They go up there and get their tails kicked.   

So now in Joshua 8 they go to God and He tells them now it's time to try again.  God tells them how to set an ambush.  This is what I mean about the Bible as a war manual.  It actually teaches you tactics.  In this case God knows that because the other country was victorious in their first battle, it will be easy to get them to chase the Israelites.  Therefore they will be able to lure them out of their city and get them to leave it undefended.  Pretty cool.

So what does that have to do with today?  Am I suggesting that we attack and burn down someone's city?  Not at all. 

But aren't we in a war today?  A spiritual war?  Don't we do battle with Satan on a daily basis?  Both on a personal level and also at the community level .  On a personal level in our daily lives and on the community level in a battle for  the hearts, minds, and souls of our community. 

So we need to know how to win the battle.  What strategies to use, etc?  Where do we get that info?  From God.  He has given us the manual for fighting the battle.  It's up to us to use it.

It starts with that personal relationship with Jesus.  Have you won that battle with Satan and accepted Jesus yet?  Why not?  It is the first and most important battle.  Win that one and the rest gets easier.  Lose that battle and I am afraid all is lost for you.  So what are you waiting for?  Be victorious.  The choice is yours.  Just simply talk to Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."