Many Christians live as if the spiritual battle is over. We go to church, we say our prayers, we read our Bibles, and we assume the forces of evil have been defeated and are no longer a threat.
But that is not what the Bible says.
The Warning
Paul writes to the Ephesian church:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:12Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. That means the problems you face are not just human problems. They are spiritual problems. The enemy is real. The battle is real.
And it is not a small battle. It is against rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces of evil. These are not minor demons. These are major league spiritual beings.
The Armor
Because of this, Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. This is not optional. This is essential.
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Ephesians 6:13The full armor of God. Belt of truth. Breastplate of righteousness. Feet fitted with the Gospel of peace. Shield of faith. Helmet of salvation. Sword of the Spirit.
This is what we need to stand. Not just to fight, but to stand. To hold our ground. To not be moved.
The Enemy
Who are we fighting? Paul tells us in other letters.
"Put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:11-12Principalities. Powers. Rulers of darkness. Spiritual hosts of wickedness. These are the enemies we face.
And they are not imaginary. They are real. They are active. They are working against us.
Spiritual warfare is not a metaphor. It is not spiritual language for psychological struggles. It is a real battle against real spiritual beings who are actively working against the people of God.
The Victory
Now, here is the good news. The battle is already won. Christ disarmed the principalities and powers. He triumphed over them.
But we still have to fight. We still have to put on the armor. We still have to stand.
The victory is ours to walk in. But we have to walk in it.
"The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
1 John 4:4How to Fight
How do we fight? Paul tells us. With prayer. With the Word. With faith.
Prayer is essential. We cannot fight this battle alone. We need the power of God. We need the Holy Spirit. We need to pray without ceasing.
The Word is our weapon. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. We use it to fight. We use it to defend. We use it to attack.
And faith is our shield. It protects us from the fiery darts of the evil one.
This is how we fight. This is how we win.
The Battle Is Real
The next time you face a struggle, remember this. It might not just be you against the world. It might be you against spiritual forces of evil. Put on the armor. Stand firm. And trust the victory that is already yours.
Father, thank You that the victory is already won through Christ. Help me to put on the full armor of God and to stand firm against the spiritual forces of evil. Teach me to pray without ceasing, to wield Your Word as my weapon, and to hold faith as my shield. In Jesus Name, Amen.
With honesty and hope,
Claire