Table of Contents
Chapter 2: Know Thy Enemy
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." Sun Tzu
The greatest advantage one can have over his enemy is to know his enemy. Knowing what you are up against is the key to correct preparation for the battle. As Christians, the moment we understand the nature of our warfare, the moment we will realize how utterly we need to depend upon God. Our warfare is no conventional one. Unconventional warfare calls for unconventional means, will, dependence, and power. Unconventional warfare calls for unconventional warriors.
The Bible reveals to us the unconventional nature of the war we are in. We are told in the book of Ephesians that " We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12. In other words, the forces against us are forces that are out of this world. They are supernatural. Conventional weapons, conventional wisdom falls useless before them.
Unconventional Warfare
Our battle is not against physical enemies but supernatural forces
Supernatural Opposition
The forces against us are out of this world
Conventional Inadequacy
Normal weapons and wisdom are useless in this spiritual battle
The Combined Forces Against Us
As we have already seen, our greatest enemy is self, but now we learn that self is empowered by these supernatural forces. The combined efforts Satan, his angels and self are a force beyond what any of us can handle. The Bible also tells us that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft". 1 Samuel 15:23. It is the supernatural power of the enemy captivating self that constitutes disobedience to Jesus. The uncontrollable tongue, the lustful look, the inability to put down the bottle, all reveal the more than human power at work captivating millions of souls, making them "slaves" to sin. Not that self is taken by force, rather self is a willing captive. The reason why self seems so impossible to overcome, so impervious is because he is backed by more than human forces.

The Nature of Our Enemy
Self is empowered by supernatural forces, making it a willing captive to sin
Our Supernatural Hope
Hence, the warriors only hope is to connect himself with One who is also supernatural. All his dependance must fall upon his connection with the God of heaven and earth. God will grant His warriors supernatural power, not to float, or do tricks, but rather to subdue the human nature! Supernatural means to be above nature, or not subject to nature. God promises, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4. The divine nature is the only thing that can stand up to the carnal nature. And we can only receive that divine nature through a vital spiritual connection with God. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" John 1:12.
Connect with God
All dependence must fall upon our connection with the supernatural God
Receive Divine Nature
God grants supernatural power to subdue human nature
Overcome Carnal Nature
The divine nature is the only thing that can stand up to the carnal nature
God will grant to the humble warrior unconventional power over his own nature, but we must be wiling to sit at the feet of this Divine Teacher, to learn the art of war against self. In this way, we get to know the "new man", his capabilities and powers in Christ, for "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. We also get to our enemy because God will show us things of our nature we have long harbored. He will show us the "weak points" of self that we may get the advantage. And in knowing ourselves, our God, and our enemy, we need not fear the outcome of a hundred battles.
Sit at the Divine Teacher's Feet
Learn the art of war against self from God Himself
Know the "New Man"
"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Identify Weak Points
God reveals the vulnerabilities of self so we can gain advantage