Asymmetrical Warfare: Warfare or conflict between nations or groups that have disparate military capabilities and strategies, such as the Revolutionary War with England or the recent War on Terror. Whereas symmetrical warfare involves more evenly matched forces such as the Allied Nations vs the Axis Powers in World War Two or the more recent war between Iraq and Iran in the 1980’s.
“The classic illustration of asymmetrical warfare is the biblical story of David and Goliath. You know, the one where a little shepherd boy, armed with just a sling and a stone, meets a giant on the field of battle and prevails. Goliath is the mightiest of warriors, carrying the deadliest of weapons. He strikes fear into the hearts of entire armies. David doesn’t know any better. He has his faith and little else, but gets in a lucky shot and, miraculously, takes the giant down. The ancient tale of David’s victory over Goliath endures because it gives hope to the little guy.” Itzik Kotler, Forbes Technology Council
Sadly, the above rendering of the account of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, referred to as “the ancient tale” by Mr. Kotler, is exactly how many Christians view this epic encounter. I would invite you to now, read the entire chapter, asking Holy Spirit to reveal to you some fresh insight, especially into this “little shepherd boy’s mindset”, on this seminal day in history.
As one reads thru the chapter it becomes obvious that young David is very familiar with the concept of asymmetrical warfare. A distinct mindset is revealed in verses 26, 32, 36-37, and is especially clear in his confrontational and prophetic declaration in verses 45-47. Indeed, the little shepherd boy was confident that he and “this uncircumcised Philistine” had very “disparate military capabilities and strategies”. Both contenders stated their strategies very clearly and confidently. Goliath probably fantasized impaling this “healthy and handsome boy who he despised” on his spear or perhaps fileting his corpse with his sword. David, on the other hand, knowing his power source, realized that this large-slow-moving-target was going to be quick work and even detailed the process, including how Goliath’s sword would be employed.
It is critical to our understanding of David and Goliath to acknowledge that “the little shepherd boy” never thought of himself as the underdog in this upcoming fight. Imagine for a moment, that you were Saul and had just told David, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man.” Then the little shepherd boy responds to you with all this graphic detail about his exploits in lethal battles with both the bear and the lion and says to you, “this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them because he has defiled the armies of the Living God.” What would be your response?
In the warrior culture, we quickly learn that it is critical to become at one and intimate with our weapon(s). The weapon, like David’s sling, becomes an extension of the warrior and of his+ authority. So, David wisely rejected the armor of Saul, which is a valuable lesson for each of us to do in our own spiritual battles in 2023. David immediately went to a weapon he was intimate with, one that he had used in many battles. This is why we must be experienced and skilled with the use of our “go to weapon”, the Sword of the Spirit. Remember this warrior maxim, the use of any weapon is an acquired skill and conversely a perishable skill. We must have the mindset of the little shepherd boy so that scriptures like 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and Ephesians 6:10-18 can move from logos to rhema and move us from the faculty lounge to the spiritual battlefield.
Barney Barnes, 09-23-2023, Warrior Spirit Ministries