I once asked God an audacious question during devotion: “How do I defeat the evil one?”
Now, I know that Jesus has won the victory for us on the cross. Furthermore, Revelation 12:11 exhorts us that we’ve defeated the “accuser of the brethren” by the Blood of the Lamb and by our testimony – not loving our lives or renouncing our faith even when faced with death.
But I was looking for some practical steps to apply in my life. I was led to John 3:8, which I’ve come across before, and it’s one of those verses which baffles me. It says, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
I wondered how this was this a practical step: “What has wind got to do with defeating the enemy?”
Then I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Read again.” I read it a few more times when suddenly it hit me. I got it!
The Lord showed me that the key to defeating the enemy is to be as unpredictable as the wind.
Along with this revelation, I came across story after story from the Bible which are exemplify the unpredictability of the wind. I’m sure you’ve read stories in the Bible where God’s plans and strategies don’t make sense initially or seem counter-intuitive.
One example is the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), where David won against all odds by being unpredictable. Goliath expected David to fight him up close face-to-face, but David slung a smooth stone towards Goliath’s forehead while running towards him. And when the giant lay on the ground, David cut Goliath’s head off.
When David became king, he often sought the Lord’s counsel and direction, especially when facing his enemies. Each time, he’d ask two questions.
- Shall I go up against the enemy?
- Will I succeed?
David understood that God had a different strategy for every battle, even though the context might be similar (1 Samuel 23, 30; 2 Samuel 2, 5, 21). Likewise, our dependence must be in the Lord.
And what about King Jehoshaphat when he sent the choir and musicians to the front of the battle line? In all of military history, that must have been one of the most unconventional ways to defend a country under siege. But sing and play they did, and they won the battle because God fought on their behalf as they obeyed and followed God’s strategy!
… the key to defeating the enemy is to be as unpredictable as the wind.
In the New Testament, you see a similar pattern of unpredictability.
For 11 years, Jesus accompanied his parents to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. He would then travel back home once it was over, “as was their custom”. But on the 12th year, Jesus did a U-turn on his parents and stayed back in Jerusalem to engage the religious teachers (Luke 2).
There were three accounts where Jesus healed blind men, but He didn’t heal them using the same method (Mark 8, 10; John 9). When it comes to being the greatest, contrary to what society propagated then and still does today, Jesus taught His disciples that “the greatest one among you will live as one called to serve others without honour” (Luke 22:26).
To be led by the Holy Spirit means to co-operate with Him, not resist Him. If you’ve taken roller-coaster rides before, you’d know through experience that it’s unwise to be tense and all stiffened up throughout the bumpy ride.
Instead, you need to go with the flow as the carriage twists and turns along the winding tracks.
So how can you be unpredictable like the wind?
When there’s every reason for you to be upset or angry – choose patience and love. When you feel you’re too dignified to dance before the Lord – do it anyway! God loves that! People in your office start quitting because the company isn’t doing well? You stay on and finish each assignment excellently, because you know the Lord will release you when it’s time.
And when it seems that you’re the go-to person for running errands, do it anyway and with joy! Because you know that sometimes the greatest blessings are small packages in disguise. When you feel like walking out of your marriage because it’s becoming unbearable, you choose to stay because God’s as committed to this marriage as you are. And He’s staying put!
When you don’t feel like responding to the altar call because the message was average, respond anyway! Don’t let the enemy steal your breakthrough. When you don’t feel like going to church because you didn’t start your morning right, go anyway! Don’t fall into the enemy’s trap. The answer to your question could be found in that weekend’s service.
Well, you get my point: respond the opposite way you naturally would. Respond instead of simply reacting.
There comes a time when you must throw away the oars of predictability and set your sail God-ward. Listen to the wind of the Holy Spirit, flow with Him and follow His leading. Be unpredictable, be like the wind.
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
This article was first published on Cornerstone Community Church’s website and is republished with permission.
