I am writing this article in the same manner that a grandfather might write a letter to his grandchildren. It is with the most heartfelt desire that I urge you to reconsider what some of you may be contemplating—the promotion and engagement of military service.

Not long ago I was visiting with a young man who attends services and, frankly, I was saddened to hear him convey that there are a number of young men throughout the Church who have no problem in expressing their desire to join the military and even go to war.

Patriotism and love for their country seemed to be the primary foundation of their desire, but I was still quite taken aback by his statement.

It was my destiny—or was it?

It has been 47 years since I volunteered for the United States Army at the height of the Vietnam War.

Yes, I volunteered for the U.S. Army. Why? Because I was raised with the belief that one becomes a man by standing up to protect his country. I volunteered for the U.S. Army because I believed that a man becomes more of a man when he defends those weaker than himself from the oppression and influence of evil men.

All the men within my family that I knew personally had served in a war—either in WWI or WWII, and even during the Civil War in the 1860s. It was ingrained in my mind and heart to stand up and be counted when the time came.

Just like Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump, I believed military service was my destiny. At this point in time, God had not yet called me to His true way of life, and I had not been reared in a strong religious household. The Ten Commandments meant nothing to me, so I had no problem with my decision at all. Furthermore, I did not fully comprehend the meaning of the Sixth Commandment in Exodus 20:13: “You shall not murder” (“kill” is the broader Hebrew meaning).

Seduction: Satan’s way

For years I had been fascinated with the appearance of a man in uniform. I read many books about heroes of war, and the majority of my thoughts were focused on becoming just like them. Unfortunately, I was quite ignorant of the severe consequences that lay under the surface of many of these men who had experienced the military life, especially during times of war.

This would include post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. It is most commonly experienced by men and women that have directly served in war. It is a most challenging trial in the life of any human who has experienced combat.

A surprising fact about one of America’s greatest war heroes in WWII, Audie Murphy, was revealed following his tragic death in an airplane crash. A dear friend of his shared that Murphy slept with a loaded pistol under his pillow every night from the time he returned home from the war to the very day of his death.

Satan is deeply involved in the affairs of mankind—he is the master of deception and seduction. He makes very dangerous activities appear glorious and even honorable (2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 11:12-15). In fact, this is what he did to Adam and Eve, and it is the very same approach he directed toward our Savior when he tempted Jesus Christ in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). One of Satan’s greatest deceptions is when we consider engaging ourselves in a dangerous or controversial situation, and having the mindset of, “That won’t ever happen to me.”

Prepare to become a different person

Prior to my admission into the United States Army I was excited but terribly naïve about what lay ahead. From the beginning of basic training I was suddenly immersed into the world of being told to do everything the Army way.

I surrendered my sovereignty to military authority. In the military you either follow the orders you are given or suffer the consequences. For example, you likely will not be able to observe the weekly Sabbath or the annual Holy Days while in the military. You will be told to do things that will conflict with the spiritual beliefs you have believed in.

God is quite clear about the number one priority that must be in a person’s life—it must be God (First Commandment) and not man or the military. Notice this in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money].”

When a person pulls the trigger of a weapon with the intention of ending the life of another human, the targeted person may die, but so does the person who pulled the trigger. This is because the shooter is really never the same person inside again.

The conduct and behavior of others within the military will wear off on the young believer, and it will wear that person down to the point that he or she will compromise God’s standards.

Part of the purpose of the military is the preparation and desensitization of taking the life of another human being. It is impossible to live a true Christian life in the military. You will be surrounded by people that do not know what you know about God, nor will they know about His plan for all of humanity.

Although you may not be baptized, you are still responsible for the knowledge of God’s way of life that you possess.

Three faces I will never forget

One face was that of my mother when I left home to go to war. She looked horrified and very sad as I said goodbye. Another face was that of a young Viet Cong soldier killed in an ambush. The third face was the face of my mother when I returned from Vietnam. Try to imagine how much my mother had suffered while I was away.

So why mention these memories? Your decision will impact many people, some very close and dear to you or some very close and dear to someone else. You will never be able to fully forget those faces. Choose which memories you will experience in your life; every decision creates a consequence.

In this regard, think about Galatians 6:7-10 which states: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Choose life

King David wrote about his desire for God to prevent him from making mistakes that would seriously affect him. Notice this in Psalm 19:12-13: “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.”

I write like a “grandfather” in that I strongly recommend a young person to follow the loving instructions that God reveals in Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Here, God instructs us to choose life and not death.

As a combat veteran and as a person who learned about God’s truth later in my life, I have come to understand the truth about military service and war. Instead of the military, it is my advice for young people to “join” God, and benefit from a life of positive experiences and blessings that He is offering to them. God wants you to part of His Kingdom not the kingdoms of this world.

I conclude with a question: Why would a young person engage in the destructive and senseless causes of man that are promoted by Satan the adversary, whose whole desire is to turn us against God and His way, when that young person is being given the most priceless invitation to engage in the sure and eternal cause of the Almighty God?