HERE AND NOW I DECLARE WAR
AGAINST SIN AND THE DEVIL,
ARCHENEMY OF GODALMIGHTY,
WHO SNEERS AT GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY AND THREATENS
TO SPIRITUALLY DESTROY ME AND ALL MANKIND.
I
vow to never take sin lightly, nor excuse it at will. I acknowledge
its prideful, rebellious, poisonous and destructive nature. I am
determined to hate sin as God hates sin (Psalm 45:7), "hating even the
clothing stained by corrupt flesh" (Jude 23), and to break sin's power
and rid it from my life through the precious atoning blood of Jesus
Christ, God's Son.
I
vow to "watch and pray so that I will not fall into temptation" (Matt. 26:41). I
acknowledge that sin is often disguised, that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel
of light" (2 Cor. 11:14), that sin may appear attractive and harmless, but in reality it is
deceptive, addictive, controlling and enslaving, "and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth
to death" (James 1:15).
I
determine to put on the full armor of God and will attack the enemy with "the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17), confident that it is "sharper than any
double-edged sword" (Heb. 4:12). I will entertain no heresy nor follow any creed that is not
contained in the Holy Scriptures but will do my utmost to "demolish arguments and every
pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God" and "take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).
I
vow to take the offensive on two fronts: my own heart and my neighbor's heart,
understanding that both are under constant attack. I recognize that the enemy will
threaten as long as I have breath. Therefore, I will under no circumstance cease-fire, sign
a treaty or surrender to the devil, but will "die with my boots on." I understand I will
ultimately reach Glory and receive the victor's crown so long as I remain true to God and
trust in His salvation.
My battle is against not the sinner but sin. Any person who regards himself an enemy I will
pity and fight for his salvation, understanding that Jesus loves him as much as He loves me,
and He died to save him. I identify Satan as the real enemy and I understand that "our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms"
(Eph. 6:12). I further acknowledge that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Sam. 17:47), and "apart
from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). By the grace of God I here and now take my
stand for God and Right and find my place in the ranks of The Salvation Army as a true
soldier of Jesus Christ, "the Captain of our salvation" (Heb. 2:10).
"Choose a life of War"
(Salvation Army Orders and Regulations,1904)
Provided by Glenn Welch, Salvation Army Bandmaster in Marion, Indiana
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