Principles of Warfare
Isn’t it interesting to learn about "how to do warfare"—especially when powerful strategies are laid out in such a short passage of just around 600 words (Deuteronomy chapter 20)? Of course, it's fascinating to read. But the question remains: why should we study these warfare principles? Are we expected to implement them somewhere? Let's explore this in more detail.
Why Were Warfare Principles Given?
As we know, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 430 years. God, who had promised deliverance to Abraham, brought them out of Egypt with signs and wonders by His outstretched arm. After wandering in the desert for 40 years, the Israelites were on the verge of entering the Promised Land—Canaan.
At this critical moment, God gave them specific instructions on how to engage in warfare. These principles are recorded in Deuteronomy 20. When the Israelite men were preparing for battle, the priest was instructed to address the army with three key declarations—three based on personal circumstances. These declarations served to separate certain men from the army before going into battle.
The Exemptions:
New House – “What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.” (Deuteronomy 20:5)
New Vineyard – “What man is there who has planted a vineyard and has not eaten of it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man eat of it.” (Deuteronomy 20:6)
Engaged to Marry – “What man is there who is betrothed to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man marry her.” (Deuteronomy 20:7)
From this, we understand that God values focus and commitment. He granted exemptions to those dealing with urgent personal matters. This reveals a divine balance between duty and personal responsibility. A soldier distracted by personal affairs—whether a new home, vineyard, relationship, or fear—could compromise the unity and effectiveness of the army.
Victory Belongs to the Lord
Proverbs 21:31 - “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 20:4 - “For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
This raises an important question: If the Lord is going to fight and bring the victory, why were these exemptions necessary? The answer is found in the principle itself. A man who is betrothed can return home—but if he chooses to fight, he may still join the army. The choice reveals where his heart is. This teaches us something profound: the battle may belong to the Lord, but He chooses to work through those whose hearts and minds are fully aligned with His purpose.
God doesn’t fight through those who are inwardly distracted or driven by personal desires. Whether in the Old Testament or New Testament, one truth remains clear: personal desire and God’s plan cannot go together.
Spiritual Warfare
1 John 2:16 - “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”
These three areas—like the Old Testament exemptions—represent inner conflicts that disqualify us from spiritual effectiveness:
- Lust of the flesh refers to selfish physical desires. Like the untasted vineyard, this lust pulls us away from spiritual priorities and makes us unfit for battle.
- Lust of the eyes refers to coveting what we see and entertaining impure thoughts. This distracts our spiritual vision and leads us into compromise.
- Pride of life refers to the craving for status, wealth, or praise—similar to the man eager to return and dedicate his house, prioritizing personal glory over the kingdom life.
While this is not a direct comparison between the Old and New Testament warfare criteria, the message is similar: God cannot work through individuals who are driven by their own desires rather than His purpose. If needed, God will fulfill His plan through even the stones (Luke 19:40).
The principles of warfare given in Deuteronomy 20 are far more than just military instructions for ancient Israel. They reflect God's heart and His desire for His people to be wholly committed, undistracted, and spiritually prepared. While the battle belongs to the Lord, He works through people who are fully aligned with His will—people whose hearts are not divided by earthly desires.
The exemptions listed in the passage remind us that God does not value mere participation; He values purity of purpose. The man building a house, planting a vineyard, or preparing for marriage was not judged or condemned, but simply redirected. Why? Because distraction—even from good things—can be detrimental in moments of spiritual warfare. God was building more than a nation; He was shaping a people who would be wholly His.
In the same way, the New Testament calls believers to spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness and the desires of the flesh. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are the modern-day battlefronts that can compromise a believer’s focus. They are subtle but deadly distractions that rob us of spiritual clarity and power.
Whether we are facing a physical enemy or a spiritual one, the principle remains: God works through readiness, purity, and focus. If we desire to be vessels through which God brings about His victory, we must allow Him to remove anything in us that competes with His purpose.
Ultimately, the call is this: Lay down your distractions. Die to your own desires. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author of our faith. Let Him write the faith journey in our heart.
Hebrews 12:2 - “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”