The famous military theoretician Carl Von Clausewitz is credited with the phrase “fog of war.” Though the phrase doesn’t appear in his writings, the concept behind it does. He viewed war as volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. War creates situations prone to doubt, fear, and poor decision-making. Lack of information, unforeseen problems, and surprises by the enemy are just a few examples of things that can combine to create significant degrees of chaos and confusion on the battlefield.

Fog of war is also an apt description of the spiritual war we deal with daily. As in actual combat, life is full of situations that create confusion and chaos. At times, the fog is thick, and it’s hard to make good decisions. Even if you’ve never worn a uniform, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have been wounded by a fiery dart.

The following is an attempt to bring awareness of the battle and how, as Christians, we are not to conform but be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2).

Identity (Spiritual Formation)

The believer must first find grounding in Christ. In other words, develop your identity in Christ. This is essential. This is your foundation. Foundations are important for stability and enduring storms. A good foundation provides the basis for constructing good mental, physical, and emotional practices.

Let me challenge you with a few questions: What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says we are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17)? What does it mean to be “in Christ”? How is the gospel being demonstrated in your life? These are questions worth exploring and giving much reflection. These questions foster discipleship and spiritual growth. Identity is understanding who Christ says you are, not what social media says you are. Identity helps you to see yourself as a child of God and able to cry to your heavenly Father and be heard. That’s powerful! In order to effectively enter the battle, you must have a firm identity in Christ. That identity interprets everything else.

Beware of Mental Warfare

Working against us as we seek to be grounded in our true identity are some lies of our current age, which create a kind of mental warfare, or cognitive dissonance. Males by birth identify as women. Females by birth identify as men. Persons in authority, particularly many politicians and educators, intentionally spread disinformation to promote their agendas. Unbiblical beliefs about our identity as children of God are being instilled in students in the public schools from the earliest grades.

In short, good is called evil and evil is called good. It’s too easy to dismiss these things as crazy, weird, or foolish. They may be, but they are being fiercely pushed into the collective minds of our society. And don’t look for logical discussion. Demands for tolerance include hatred for opposition. Demands for social inclusion and equity include destruction of social norms. Demands for justice justify injustice. Many people who demand you keep away from their bodies (pro-abortion) will demand you wear a mask on your face. This has led to a pandemic of confusion. People are not expected (sometimes not allowed) to debate or question these ideas. We are told to accept these things if we are to be decent human beings. The battle for the mind is a full-scale offensive. Be-cause of this, many persons struggling with mental health are also struggling with a heavy dose of mental confusion.

Christians need to be equipped with more than bumper sticker answers. Truth and clarity come from the Scriptures. The metaphor of the devil prowling about as a lion is useful (1 Pet. 5:8). The lion isn’t successful if he shows himself. We need to keep our eyes in the hiding places. We need to be able to expose and explain false logic and lies, not simply dismiss them. Truth brings clarity, and clarity defeats confusion. Knowing and being able to apply Scripture is paramount.

Don’t Underestimate Diet, Exercise, and Sleep (Physical Warfare)

Know what is going into your body and how it impacts you. An increased number of people have food allergies. I am not slighting people with dietary restrictions; they are real! This means they have to keep a special watch on what they put into their bodies. Also, many youths in recent generations have been brought up with a different perspective of administering drugs. There is a greater prevalence and a greater acceptance to use drugs (legal and illegal) than ever before. There is a reason for those warning labels on medications. The physical dimension of life is intrinsically related to the mental well-being of a person. Drugs can alter our thinking and emotional state. Be careful about what you put into your body.

We live in a world of 24-hour activity. Too often pushed aside in the fast-paced existence with full schedules is exercise and sleep. Obesity is a serious problem in the United States. Sleep deprivation is worn as a badge of being productive. I’m not promoting a fad diet or membership in a gym, but I am promoting regular exercise and proper sleep. There are times in life when events overcome our ability to do certain things (for young parents, sleep is a treasure!). While I was serving in the military, it was a requirement to maintain certain health standards. The reason is simple: unhealthy people can’t fight wars.

Remember, you are at war. Have an exercise plan! Without a plan, you will not be successful. Go to sleep at a decent time. It has been proven repeatedly that sleep deprivation is one of the greatest contributors to poor thinking and poor decision-making. This may seem simplistic, but exercising regularly, eating properly, and getting adequate sleep is hard to accomplish.

Social Media (Emotional Warfare)

People are social beings. This is part of being made in God’s image. People have a strong desire to connect to someone. Sometimes to anyone. Facebook became popular for a reason. And when someone builds a good mousetrap, others are bound to try to create a better mousetrap (Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.). We live in a world where social media determines what news you receive and what voices are heard. Social media is not big; it is huge. How many of us have reacted like one of Pavlov’s dogs when we hear the ping of receiving an email or text? We feel we have to know what it says and respond immediately. Yes, we are well conditioned.

Some in my generation might be saying, “Not me.” But your kids, and especially your grandkids, are. Get 20 “likes” on a post and your self-esteem is in check. Get none and you go into depression. Recent surveys and evidence have been exposing the depth of social media deception and how those media manipulate our psyche. This should alarm all of us. Algorithms and outlets like TikTok make it possible for posts to go viral—literally to millions of people—within hours. Social media has the capability of either providing someone with their 15 minutes of fame or destroying lives emotionally.

I’m not advocating removing yourself from all social media. I’m not dismissing that option, either, if you find yourself addicted and struggling emotionally due to its impact in your life. I am, however, proposing you take a fresh, hard look at how social media controls your emotions. Be wary. Be very wary.

Conclusion

How is the battle going for you? We’ve briefly discussed how the battle is on several fronts: spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional. It’s difficult if not impossible to remain balanced in every aspect of life. Each area can become consuming and complex. When confronted with complexity, though, seek simplicity. Understand the major dynamics.

In the military, it’s all about training. Never has the Apostle Paul’s use of the “whole armor of God” been more appropriate to study and “put on” (Eph. 6:11). Ground yourself in Christ and the Scriptures. Seek training on building a strong spiritual identity in Christ. This identity will help you navigate the minefields of the mental, physical, and emotional battles. And, when in doubt, talk to someone you trust. A pastor, elder, or deacon in your congregation would love to help you! When you get discouraged, know that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).

See you on the battlefield!