You are in a Battle

This past Sunday, our scripture passage reminded us: We have giants we need to face and battles we need to fight. Over the next few weeks, I am going to share with you how to fight…We will look at Ephesians 6:10-18 to see what Paul says about spiritual warfare. First, look at Ephesians 6:10—

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power…” (v. 10).

Paul begins with the word “Finally” (v.10). It indicates not so much that Paul is running out of things to say but that he has something important to say. It is this: The Christian life is a life of war—spiritual warfare. The Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. There is a battle to be fought. Paul is saying here: You need to be aware that you are at war!

Since we are at war, he says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes…” (v. 11). In v. 11 & 12, six times Paul uses the word “against” which emphasizes there is something we need to be against. There is no neutrality in Christianity. Paul adds to that the word “struggle” in v. 12 that literally means “hand-to-hand conflict.” This pictures bare-knuckle hand-to-hand action. Paul is saying that the Christian life requires toughness! Dear Christian, we had better learn to fight! But where and with whom?

Paul says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood…but against the rulers… of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (v. 12).

So since we have such an enemy, what are we supposed to do? Paul says, “Take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (v.11). The word “schemes” is the Greek “methodia” which means “cunning methods.” The devil is like an animal stalking its prey. Learn this: the devil is scheming to take us down and he knows our weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

So we must be alert to the devil’s schemes (v. 11). Satan’s strategy is to cause you to feel defeated and hopeless. He will use deception, doubt and discouragement to defeat you. And more… The devil has available several weapons in his arsenal. But take heart for “Greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Ultimately, the victory is ours for we have on our side a triumphant Lord and the battle we wage is against a defeated foe. So we must learn to look to our Lord and trust in Him!

However, we must be willing to do battle daily! Next week I will teach you how… In the meantime, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:7-8).

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron