Guard Duty

In 1967-68, I served in the US Army in the country of Vietnam.  I served as a crew-chief on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

My duties included being a door gunner, supervising loading and unloading cargo and routine maintenance on the helicopter.  When we were not flying, we had to pull guard duty. The perimeter of the base is the outer limits of a military position. The area beyond the perimeter belongs to the enemy. During the night, you sat in a guard tower with a M-60 machine gun and watched for enemy movement outside the perimeter. The perimeter was several miles long and consisted of four rows of razor wire.

I have often thought how that guard duty experience compares to my life as a Christ-follower. That physical enemy and our spiritual enemy are similar. 

1. Both require extreme diligence. Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it..." In the Bible, the 'heart' refers to the mind, will, and emotions; it is the true person. While in the guard tower, you could not be distracted. The enemy was very good infiltrating through the razor wire. Our spiritual enemy, Satan, is just as crafty. John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and destroy..." 
2. Both enemies use deception. The Viet Cong are masters in camouflage. When watching outside the perimeter, you have to remember where each bush and plants are. When you look back you might discover a bush that was not there ten minutes ago! 2 Corinthians 11:14 says, "for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light ."
3. Both enemies are to be taken seriously. It was dangerous to underestimate the Viet Cong. They did not have the sophisticated weapons we did but they made up for it with tenacity.  Many people do not believe that Satan truly exists but the Bible repeatedly says he is real. He is not a cartoon character with a pointy tail and pitchfork. While the Christ-follower should not fear Satan, we must realize he is a formidable foe.  

I encourage every Believer to be on constant guard.