Principles of Unity and Focus

I’ve been thinking about launching a new series for the New Year using the game of Chess as a foundation for demonstrating a few basic Torah principles and strategies of spiritual warfare.

For the most part, I am going to assume that everyone knows a few basics about the game of chess because there is such a wealth of information out there via the internet, in case you don’t. So, it’s easy to learn!

If you find this short series worthwhile (meaning, spiritually beneficial), let me know by sending me a message in the comment section or posting a ‘like.’ Thank You!

Here is what I like most about the game of Chess…

Both players have the same exact view of the board. Sixty-Four squares (territory) all in plain view. Nothing hidden. All things bare and open before you. Yet, while we are aware of and have access to the entire field of battle, we might not be aware of the intentions, tactics, plans and strategies of our opponent. These too are hidden in plain sight.

Those who are clothe in white raiment, or destined to wear it, have access to 66 Books of Instructions. That being said, our loyal opposition also has access to, and has read, the same Book of Instructions that we have access to, but they skew the teaching to advance their agenda.

Now, how do you approach the battlefield?

Your most formidable enemies are going to know just as much or more than you know about the Word of GOD. They are waiting to see if you know what to do with the information that you possess.

So allow me to ask you one more time… Do you know how to approach the battlefield?

• Do you know what you have been given?
• Can you take down the strongman on the battlefield?
• Do you know how to take down the enemies that walk in darkness?

If the enemy knows the Books better than you, then you are constantly at a disadvantage. If you know some of the instructions, and the enemy knows a few, then you may lose some and win some.

If you know the Books better than the enemy- then you are well on your way to becoming undefeated and unstoppable when you approach the battle field with wisdom, knowledge, understanding and the full council of the LORD! Amen.

So the first thing we need to realize is that… We can’t rely on sight alone. We need something more than that. We need insight and discernment. We need the ability to perceive what the enemy is doing in plain sight.

Because we’re dealing with spiritual matters, we are actually talking about knowing what the enemy is doing – BEYOND – what we can see in the natural.

Example: You walk into a room. Do you know who is carrying the spirit of GOD upon them? and who is not?

Are you able to discern those operating in another spirit? Do you know what spirit they are operating in? What do the scriptures teach you about how to handle that spirit?

Hold these thoughts in mind as we move forward….

From the perspective of the board you see above, the white pieces would be yours, and your opponent will use the black.

Since we’re applying this from a biblical perspective, lets place those on the side of Heaven as wearing white, and those on the side of darkness are wearing black.

PRIMARY PRINCIPLE #1:

You must know how to move your pieces into positions of unity. There must be oneness of spirit. Unity is your ultimate strength. Disunity is a destiny destroyer.

John 17:21 KJV

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

In the past, our first thought would be to take our White Queen and remove the Black Queen from the board. The immediate impulse would be to take that piece of territory that the spirit of darkness offered – deliberately, by the way…. there was a time, we would snatch it up and go tell everyone about our victory over the enemy! Not realizing that we were being set up for a fall.

But not today, Praise GOD!

It’s Your Move…

You could move your queen from C7 to C6, but you would only be prolonging the battle. Turn your sight toward the White Bishop on E2. It’s path of movement is along the dotted lines. If you shift the Bishop from E2 to G4,

By shifting your pieces into a position of UNITY, the Bishop and the Queen are now working together to immobilize the King of Darkness.

Unity puts the enemy in Check!

As Leaders and Intercessors for the Body of Christ, our first priority is Unity. No personal agenda, no me first, no praying only for self or thinking of only me and mine, all ideas, thoughts, ways, surrendered to Christ. No competition, no strife, no vain glory. No “my way or the highway”, No, “If I’m available”. We’re ALWAYS available for Christ.

Ephesians 4:13 KJV
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

I know we struggle with that word perfect (teleios). That’s because we automatically apply our understanding of the word ‘perfect‘ from an English only perspective.

Fortunately, the Greek meaning carries all the weight and substance of its actual meaning… and communicates a much richer, liberating meaning in Christ .

teleios is that state of spiritual maturity in the faith, that has developed within us overtime, which causes us to operate in the nature and the character of Christ. Again, operating in His image and likeness as opposed to operating in our own carnality.

Being or becoming ‘perfect’ is not a barrier or an impossible assignment. It is not something that we should dismiss as impossible or unachievable. GOD is not asking that of us.

teleois contains a finishing factor in GOD… it means you become a finished work of GOD, lacking nothing, completeness.

There are 19 appearances of teleios in the New Testament, all testifying to the use of the verb teleios which speaks to one becoming complete, finished, perfected… by submitting to GOD’s Will, His Ways, His Thoughts, etc. and not our own.

We do have the ability to die to self though! In dying to self, we submit ourselves before GOD and take His yoke upon us. We pursue the character and nature of Christ in all things! If or when we miss the mark, we repent, recover and move forward. No condemnation.

Key Concepts: DAY 1

In matters of spiritual warfare, the victory goes to those that stay aligned with the Vision of GOD and do not lose focus.

Unity is Essential. You can not go off doing your own thing. Master in staying in Sync with the Spirit of GOD, and in regards to Intercessory Prayer – Unity is the source of your strength

When we operate in Unity, we develop the spiritual maturity (teleios) that sharpens our focus and keeps us in divine alignment with the Spirit of GOD.

• Unity produces much fruit!
• Unity is the key ingredient of your victories!
• Unity places the enemy in a state of rigidity!

Align your pieces on the board; your prayer, your consecration, your service, faithfulness, dedication, fasting, study, commitment, etc. Move them in sequences of divine alignment.

Immobilize the enemy by means of a strategy that gives them no option but to surrender.

and Stay focused.

Chess will reveal to you, just how well you focus and pay attention. Are you being caught up in the same traps and schemes on the chess board? Do you easily forget how to move within a certain scenario repeats itself? Are you looking for places to unify your strength? Are you playing to your strengths or your weaknesses?

Is the enemy playing more moves ahead than you are?

Stay watchful for part 2 of this series.

God Bless You!