Hidden Enemy
Hidden Enemy
Discipleship Series by Col. Scott McChrystal
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
Last Sunday, my wife and I had the privilege to be part of a church service honoring our military and its veterans. At the meet-and-greet following the service, I noticed a man standing on the periphery of the crowd. He looked sad and clearly reluctant to engage in conversation. I moved in to see if I might provide a listening ear.
He seemed glad that I had approached him. Within five minutes he was sharing his story. It focused on his military experience as an 88 Mike (truck driver) in Afghanistan. He described the incident that changed his life—when his truck hit a huge explosive ordinance device (EOD). He sustained serious injuries; fortunately, he didn’t lose any limbs. Injuries to his right leg kept him confined to a wheelchair for six months.
But physical injury was not his biggest problem. He began to hate Muslims, believing the person who planted that EOD was probably a Muslim. When the first American doctor to examine his wounds happened to be Muslim, he insisted on seeing another doctor.
That incident happened eight years ago. As I talked to him, I could see that hatred was still eating him alive. He talked about his mistakes since getting out of the Army, the worst being to alienate his wife and kids. He was now alone, filled with hatred and bitterness.
Having witnessed some of the horrors of war during my time in Vietnam, I can certainly understand much of what that man expressed. PTSD? Without a doubt. Would he benefit from mental health care? Almost assuredly. But the hatred that is consuming his life is the work of a spiritual enemy and requires a spiritual solution—the love and power of Jesus Christ.
Time didn’t permit a more in-depth conversation. I gave the man my card and encouraged him to call my cell if he decided to reach out for support. I hope he does.
He is unquestionably a casualty of physical war, but he is also among the millions who have been wounded in spiritual combat. Sadly, he mistakenly believes his enemies are Muslims. He doesn’t realize that Satan is his real foe. In all warfare, physical or spiritual, victory can only occur when you can identify your real enemy.
In the days to come, I’ll share some more thoughts on spiritual warfare and how to defeat the devil using the powerful spiritual weapons God makes available to every believer.
Chaplain (COL) Scott McChrystal, USA (Ret)
Chaplain (Colonel) Scott McChrystal was commissioned in 1970 and served 31 years on active duty, 10 as an infantry officer and the remainder as a United States Army chaplain. His line officer experience included a tour in Vietnam as an Infantry Platoon Leader and three assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. As an Army chaplain, he had multiple tours at home and abroad. His final assignment was as the senior chaplain at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He retired from active duty in 2005 and served as the Military/VA Representative and Endorser within the Chaplaincy Department for the General Council of the Assemblies of God from 2005-2019.
His decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Award, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Army Ranger Tab.
His education includes a Master of Business Administration Degree, a Master of Divinity Degree, a Doctor of Ministry Degree, and graduation from The United States Army War College. Additionally, he serves as a consultant to the American Council on Education. In recent years, he and his wife have written several Christian devotionals. In addition, Scott co-authored a Christian action-novel and served as the managing editor for the The Warrior’s Bible, an application bible for the military community.
Scott presently serves as the Executive Liaison for The Warrior’s Journey, a non-profit organization that supports the military community. He’s also a member of the Distinguished Advisory Board for Battle Ready Ministries.
Chaplain McChrystal and his wife, Judy, live in Springfield, Missouri, and have 4 children and 12 grandchildren.
The Military Guide to Disarming Deception: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-military-guide-to-disarming-deception/411290
The Military Guide to Armageddon: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-military-guide-to-armageddon/404490
Trumpocalypse: https://www.faithwords.com/titles/paul-mcguire/trumpocalypse/9781478993599/
The Babylon Code: https://www.faithwords.com/titles/paul-mcguire/the-babylon-code/9781455589456
Advertise on Prophecy Investigators
Prophecy Investigators – Uncovering the Truth in the End Times – is growing, with nearly 27,000 Facebook fans.
Each week, Prophecy Investigators Founder Troy Anderson and other bestselling authors, award-winning journalists, faith leaders, military leaders and others provide the latest prophetic news, commentary, in-depth investigative articles, and videos exploring the link between world events and biblical prophecies.
Find out more about our advertising rates by sending Anderson an email at troyanderson.writer@gmail.com, prophecyinvestigators@gmail.com or calling him at 949-887-1511.
You can also send a gift to Prophecy Investigators at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/prophecyinvestigator or via check to the address below.
Gifts are not tax deductible. In gratitude for your gift, we would like to send you an autographed copy of Anderson’s latest book, The Military Guide to Armageddon. Please send him an email at troyanderson.writer@gmail.com with your address and the Prophecy Investigators team will mail you the book.
Thank you for supporting Prophecy Investigators!
Your Brother in Christ Jesus,
Troy Anderson
Please mail checks made out to “Troy Anderson” to:
Troy Anderson
C/O Prophecy Investigators
14271 Jeffrey Road, #257
Irvine, CA 92620