Key Terrain

 As a young soldier, I found out that my ability to navigate using a map, compass, and protractor would determine career success or failure. One of the keys to land-nav, as we called it, is identifying key terrain and understanding its importance. Later, as an officer, identifying key terrain is a critical component of tactical planning and decision making. It is the same spiritually. 

We must understand the key spiritual terrain we face. Understanding who we are, what the world around us is like, and how to navigate it, is a key skill in staying on azimuth with the Lord. I’ve listed some of the key spiritual terrain in my journey.


  • My Own Spiritual Depravity: I’m a failed man. Left to my own devices, I normally choose poorly. I desperately need help. I cannot fix my own problems.
  • God is Master and Creator: Despite what I may think or desire, God remains sovereign and above me. He made me. He breathed out everything that I know and understand as the universe. He conceived it all.
  • God’s Ways are Best: When I walk according to His plan, my life works better. When I depart from His path, then my way is rough and full of obstacles.
  • God Communicates His Will: God uses special and general revelation to give me guidance. Special revelation refers to the supernatural and scripture. Whenever we feel we are in receipt of special revelation we must measure it against scripture. God will not go against His own word. General revelation refers to God revealing Himself through nature. Whenever we feel that sublime pull; perhaps when gazing up into a star filled sky or standing at the edge of the ocean, we’re experiencing general revelation. God does not leave us alone and bereft of His guidance.
  • God Created Us for Community: We’re not destined or designed to make this journey alone. God built us to exist in relationship with Him and with each other.
  • Satan Will Attack Us: We must be aware of satan’s desire to drag us down. Though he’s a defeated enemy, he still works to destroy us, often setting upon us when we are alone; but, God has provided a victory for us.

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