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Warrior's Heart, The: Rules of Engagement for the Spiritual War Zone

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This book gives insight on how to be an effective warrior in the Kingdom of God. It's not about who your fighting, but what Christ has called us to be. Dr. Jackson gives us strategic guidance on being focused and driven to fulfilling our purpose. It's about moving towards the high calling in Christ Jesus so that we may hear one day "Well done thy good and faithful servant". Dr. Jackson begins with our own relationship with God and our inner heart. He moves on to discuss the relationships we have with our family and friends and how this is effective or ineffective to our God given purpose. Lastly he zones in on our corporate relationship within the church and the market place. This book is a tool to get you through the times of trials. It helps you to understand why we Christians find ourselves in certain circumstances. After reading this book you will have a better understanding of what is means to "continue to stand". This book is a must for every Christian! Add it to your library and intend on being sucessful in fighting the good fight of faith.

This is one of those books that I'm glad that I have so I can continue to review it as I continue to war to be godly for myself and others. This book is strategic and very practical. I have attempted to read other books related to spiritual warfare and was unable to finish reading them because it was complicated to me. If you want to understand the spiritual battle that you are in and want to know how to be effective for the Kindgom of God this is a must have book!

Dr. Harry Jackson is truly one of the chosen by God. When reading The Warrior's Heart anyone can discern the truth about the struggles that every Christian faces, and how to deal with those struggles through Jesus Christ. Practical, down-to-earth examples of what Christians face every day keep The Warrior's Heart seperate from other books that can drown readers with vague allusions. Every military has a handbook, and the army of God and Jesus Christ has one too!!!

"Just acting like a normal Christian is an extremely radical thing to do"
- Harry R. Jackson, Jr.

I give this book my highest recommendation.

This is the finest book on the topic implied in the title that I have read. It has some very practical and pragmatic advice about faith, conscience and the power or lack thereof in religion and/or a believers perception of such.

Here I will paraphrase what I deem to be the most important paragraph I personally have ever read concerning the concept of faith:

One of the problems with the concept of faith, as it is conceived of by many, is there is no clear distinction between attitude management techniques and what is purely Biblical faith or supernatural thinking if you will. Managing our attitudes is in fact very important- even essential to be an effective Christian, spiritual warrior or even just a good person. "be positive" motivational techniques , however, are not in themselves keys to releasing the supernatural power of God. The supernatural peace of God which comes from his tangible presence is able to do FAR more than a peace that comes from attitude management.

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 3, A Prayer:
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Jackson goes on to write about the ways we can detect God's unction in our lives. here he cites what is called "twofold assurance":

1. Our hearts assure us (conscience)

2. The Holy Spirit within us

James Madison once stated;

" Conscience is the most sacred of all property"

Jackson explains;

The word conscience is not found in the Old Testament. The closest reference is found in Proverbs 20:27

"27 The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man ; it searches out his inmost being."

Conversely, in the New Testament there are 30 references to conscience. The Greek word for conscience is suneidesis which is defined as an abiding consciousness whose nature it is to bear inner witness to one's own conduct in a moral sense. It is self awareness.

Speaking for myself I can state unequivocally that every time I have not listened to that small still voice that has said to me "don't do this" or "you ought to do that" trouble has ensued more times than not... sometimes BIG trouble. Judging by this acknowledgement alone I think it is safe to say that being out of touch with one's conscience can carry a heavy cost... perhaps even a lethal cost.

Jackson explains that you do not have to be a Christian or even a believer to have a conscience. It is something that is installed in every person because every person, whether they believe or acknowledge it or not, is made in the image of God. Conscience is the RULE of God imparted to every man and woman. In fact, those who have never heard the Gospel of Christ will in the end be judged by how they have responded to their own consciences.

On this Romans 2:14-16 says (Amplified Bible):

14 When Gentiles who have not the [divine] Law do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, since they do not have the Law.

15 They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] decisions (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them]

16 On that day when, as my Gospel proclaims, God by Jesus Christ will judge men in regard to the things which they conceal (their hidden thoughts).

Often people think of conscience as an afterthought, a twinge of guilt or remorse after the fact. However, conscience is a moral compass that is designed primarily for PREVENTION. As stated, in this sense, being out of touch with conscience and/or God can be disastrous for people, people groups or entire societies or civilizations.

The goal then is to harmonize, inasmuch as we are able, our consciences according to what God ordains as right and/or wrong. Jackson goes on to explain three ways in which this is accomplished:

1. reproof and correction- we have to learn to receive correction from trusted, spiritual, strategic relationships.

2. sincere repentance- we must embrace a re calibrated, redefined consciousness and lifestyle of repentance.

3. Faith and comprehension- in the saving power of Christ and the raw power and genius of modeling our lives on his example. This includes understanding the aforementioned distinction between attitude management and or psychological crutches and the supernatural peace and tangible presence of God in one's life and/or mind.

Jackson then goes into six ways for a spiritual warrior to find or tap into supernatural inner strength and wisdom by FINE TUNING THE CONSCIENCE:

1. Fight your way out of a siege- don't lose heart.

2. Find the joy of camaraderie- cultivate strategic relationships.

3. maintain ranks in the face of battle- in the midst of trials and triumphs alike, continue to keep the commandments of God.

4. remember the BIG picture- focus on the glory of God during hardships and always remember the real enemy is not flesh but the forces of darkness in the spiritual realm.

5. Use the power of consistent focus- always remember the goal... to maintain righteousness and make it to the Heavenly Kingdom of God.

6. Stay connected to the source of joy- maintain an intense prayer life and communion with God... without this the vision and all the rest begins to fade.

The rest of "The Warrior's Heart: Rules of Engagement For The Spiritual War Zone" only gets deeper and better from there.

I personally count this offering as extremely valuable insight and information. I hope you do too.

This book is a must read for all serious Christians who do or even do not recognize that we are engaged in spiritual warfare everyday of our lives. The reality is we are the enemy of Satan who is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy us by any means necessary.

So, this is the first book I have read that lays it all out in easy to read and comprehendable terms for even the most novice Christian. Scriptual references, humorous real life examples, and practical tools are what makes this book a must have in every Christian arsenal.

I have been privileged to have had 2-3 in-depth conversations with Bishop Harry Jackson, and have the utmost respect for him. That respect is only heightened by this book, which he said is the one he is proudest of. He talks about spiritual warfare in very down-to-earth terms and offers practical, biblical approaches for waging it. Highly recommended.

This was very helpful to me as a new follower of Christ. It brings spiritual warfare to light in a healthy, accurate way.