SERVING GOD IN 2025 – RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, NKJV).

Traditionally, “rules of engagement” is a military terminology, which refer to “the guidelines or directives that govern the circumstances under which military personnel, law enforcement agents, or other organizations can engage with hostile entities, use force or employ certain tactics.” In the context of God’s service, the rules of engagement would refer to the guidelines or principles that govern how believers relate among themselves and navigate challenges in their bid to fulfil the purpose of God for their lives. The following are some of the biblical principles that can be considered as rules of engagement in the service of God. Serving God would require love and compassion, humility and servanthood, wisdom and discernment, faithfulness and perseverance and as well as dependence on God. Going through this list one can easily notice that they are spiritual qualities of the heart and have nothing to do with the flesh. They are all qualities of the invisible entity that Paul variously refers to as the “inner man” (Ephesians 3:16), “the inward man” (Romans 7:22), and which Peter calls “the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4). It is understandable that Job is referring to the same entity when he said, “But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding” (Job 32:8). It is the state of this inner man that matters the most in the service of God. ‬‬‬

The spiritual condition of a man far outweighs his physical qualifications.

When it comes to enlisting in God’s service, the spiritual condition of a man far outweighs his physical qualifications. God is Spirit and as such any person who would work with Him must be alive in the spirit and possess some spiritual capacities that would make interacting with Him possible. Paul’s query to the Corinthian believers underscored this point: “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Physically, the brethren in the church at Corinth were mature, but spiritually they were babies who still depend on milk for survival. Heaven’s rules of engagement would sideline such characters in the service of the kingdom of God. Their lack of spiritual capacities disqualified them from being used by God. Notice that Paul accuses them of behaving like “mere men.” They were a people driven by worldly or fleshly motivations instead of spiritual ones. They are more prone to act according to their natural human instincts rather than being guided by the Holy Spirit.

“Mere men” Christians may look like champions physically, but spiritually they are liabilities. Such was Eliab, the first son of Jesse. His charming physical qualities so mesmerized Samuel that when he stepped into the room the prophet exclaimed ecstatically, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” (1 Samuel 16:6). Eliad was handsome, muscular, tall, and elegant in his appearance but spiritually infirm. God’s rejection was firm and complete: “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him”. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”(NLT). God is looking at your inner man. That is where He makes His greatest investment ever. Your spirit is the seat of God’s throne in your heart. He lives there and reigns from there. Your spirit is the repository of His grace and power. His anointings are stored there and so are all the spiritual gifts. Who you are in your spirit is exactly who you are before God. God can only use you to the extent He is able to relate with your spirit. Pay attention to your inner man if you must serve God in 2025. Revival is coming! Let us prepare for it in Jesus name.‬‬