“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

In this chapter, you will discover one of the most commonly used tricks by the devil to divert a person from God’s plan for their life. If he fails to separate you from God, your adversary will at least try to distance you from His perfect plan. This tactic is known as the “breach strategy.”

In his famous work The Art of War, General Sun Tzu describes this method as a very effective way to defeat one’s enemy. Sun Tzu explains that directly attacking a fortified city is often very risky and difficult. Indeed, the inhabitants, having nothing to lose, fight fiercely, driven by the energy of despair.

For example, a mother who wants to protect her children can become a formidable fighter, ready to do anything to defend them, even give her life. This situation makes conquering the city very complicated and leads to heavy losses.

To avoid costly battles in human lives, Sun Tzu developed the “breach strategy.” This strategy consists of creating small breaches in the city walls, allowing the barricaded inhabitants to escape during the night. Once the possibility of fleeing becomes known, many inhabitants, tempted by the idea of escape, decide to leave.

The demoralizing effect on those who remain is immense, and they often end up surrendering the city to the invaders. The breach acts as a seed in the minds of the captives: it offers them an easy way out, sparing them a hard fight. The devil uses a similar strategy in our lives: instead of attacking directly and head-on, he seeks to exploit a flaw or weakness to infiltrate your mind and gradually undermine your will to resist.

His ultimate goal is to subtly divert you from God’s plan. This approach, both insidious and devastatingly effective, aims to make you give up when difficulties arise, offering temptations that spark hesitation and doubt. That’s why it is so important to recognize and counter this subtle tactic.

Are you ready to identify these breaches in your life and strengthen your defense against the assaults of the devil? Only by staying vigilant can you truly overcome these traps and walk fully in the path that God has set for you. I know of people who, when faced with the challenges of ministry and the calling destined for them, failed to persevere because they always had in mind the possibility of an alternative career as an escape route whenever things got difficult.

When finances are strained, criticism surfaces, or disappointments mount, many seek refuge in the idea of an alternative job. In the end, these breaches often prevent them from fully realizing their calling.

“[…] Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?’ So Paul said, ‘I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.’” Acts 25:9-10

In this account, Paul could have been tempted to choose an easy way out. The Jews handed him over to the Romans, knowing they had nothing against him. They had no valid accusation, and Paul knew it too. God’s plan for him was to go to Rome, but this involved great sacrifices. If he asked for his release, he could go home and enjoy a peaceful night; but that choice would constitute a breach: a temporary comfort that would divert him from the fight and God’s plan. Paul decided not to flee.

By appealing to Caesar, he accepted being taken to Rome as a prisoner. He then had to face a violent storm at sea and overcome many other challenges. Yet, this was how he fulfilled God’s plan for his life.

Beware of the breach, be vigilant against easy escapes, for they can lead you away from your destiny. They will convince you to lower your vision, push you to reduce your ambitions, turn around, give up on your responsibilities, your dreams, and the plans God has for you. It is crucial to recognize these temptations, discern these breaches, and not let them invade or control your thoughts. Several years ago, during a ministry tour, I went through a period of deep discouragement. The opposition and frustrations were constant, and nothing seemed to be going as planned or working out.

One morning, I woke up with the desire and even the firm intention to cancel all my engagements and go home. I had already prepared my speech and found excuses to explain my early return to the pastors who were waiting for me. All night, I had nurtured and entertained this idea of “escape” in my mind.

However, that morning, the Holy Spirit clearly urged me to continue despite the difficulties. There was no question of abandoning everything halfway. That same day, we experienced an evening filled with extraordinary blessings, with powerful and unexpected events.

In the end, a missionary present in the assembly came to me, tears in his eyes. He hugged me and thanked me, for God had also strengthened him, as he was on the verge of giving up everything…

This text is an excerpt from the book THE ART OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE written by LUC DUMONT.

We invite you to read the next article, “THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT“.

Beware of the Breaches.