October 11

The High Ground 

Every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  –– 1 John 5:4-5, NLT

Through film and American history class we learned that the Battle of Gettysburg was the epic turning point in the Civil War. Though the South would fight on for nearly two more terrible, bloody years, the war truly was decided near a small town in rural Pennsylvania. From day one, the Union seized the high ground on Seminary Ridge, and would never relinquish it. The Confederates made a desperate, heart-breaking attempt during what is called Pickett’s Charge, in which thousands of men charged across two miles of open upward slope to try to break the Union lines. Though a few grey-coats did actually break through, the North’s grape-shot cannon fire tore gaping holes in the South’s lines and ultimately sent them in retreat. Nearly half of General Pickett’s men were either killed, wounded, or captured.

Get this: like General Meade’s Union Army on Seminary Hill, you have been given the high ground, my brother. In battle, you always want to be the one on the high ground, whether in hand-to-hand combat or attacking as a unit, the decided advantage goes to the ones above. Yet when fighting evil, the high ground is not gained by physical action; it’s a perception of your identity and the authority behind it. 

Let this sink in: your identity in Christ gives you victory. Say it! You are a victorious warrior in Christ. “Know, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Declare your identity. No matter what battle you are facing, no matter what obstacle you are encountering, and no matter what feeling you are battling, stop fighting the battle Satan has already lost and enjoy the victory Christ has already won. 

You may have forgotten this, neglected it, been kept in the dark about it, and made blind to it or simply compartmentalized it away into a theological box. But the reality remains. 

Your royal identity and royal authority are a royal pain for Satan. That’s the good news. But what many Christians forget is that this position of authority doesn’t work unless we surrender completely to His authority. Don’t relinquish the high ground—it’s your greatest tool against the enemy.

Thank You, Father, for the authority I have through my total surrender to Your authority.