Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
The church is engaged in spiritual warfare against the kingdom of darkness. However, we can win this war by using our spiritual weapons. These are challenging times in which everyone is experiencing difficulty in one way or another. According to the Pew Research Center, about four in ten U.S. adults believe humanity is living in the end times. No one knows whether these are, in fact, the last days. But Matthew 11:12 says, “…the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” For Christians, this verse is a reminder that we are engaged in spiritual warfare.
Many Christians suppose we are fighting other people for our rights to act as Christians in a sinful world. But that is not the case. Our fight is not with other people, and we are not fighting a war for our rights to practice Christianity. So, who are we fighting, and what are we fighting for? Before answering this question, let’s define what the Christian fight entails.
The Bible defines the Christian fight as “the good fight of faith.” In spiritual warfare, we fight in faith against the evil spiritual forces of darkness. I call these forces the “spiritual Mafia.” I use this term to describe their cruel, organized, and ready-to-harm nature. They are like a spiritual crime syndicate, working together to oppose God’s people in any way they can. We can only defeat this spiritual Mafia with spiritual weapons.
The Enemy
Intelligence or intel plays a vital part in warfare. With proper intel, officers can know and understand the enemy. To win a battle, soldiers must know who, where, and what the enemy is doing. A soldier must also know what the enemy can do. The Bible provides intel and informs us about our enemy. It also ensures there are no surprises in this spiritual war. In addition, the Bible reveals the enemy’s tactics, nature, and ultimate defeat, giving us a strategic advantage in the battle. This knowledge equips us with the necessary preparation and understanding to face our spiritual enemy.
Our enemy has many names. “Devil” means accuser because he accuses believers day and night before God’s throne (Revelation 12:7-11). “Satan” means adversary because he is the enemy of God’s people. The Bible calls him a murderer and a liar (John 8:44). It also refers to him as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) and a serpent (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9).
When we stand against and defeat this spiritual enemy, we must put on God’s spiritual battle gear. Ephesians 6 tells us why.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:11-13 [NKJV]
Satan’s Allies
The Apostle Paul tells us that the devil’s helpers are “principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). These are not just random titles. They show a hierarchy in Satan’s army. ‘Principalities’ are like generals. ‘Powers’ are like field commanders. ‘Rulers’ are like governors. ‘Spiritual wickedness in high places’ is like foot soldiers. This verse suggests there is an army of spiritual entities at work helping Satan in this spiritual war.
We must remember that our fight is not with people, but with spiritual forces. Besides, we are only wasting our time fighting each other. Instead of fighting each other, we should be fighting the devil who seeks to control people. He aims to make unbelievers worldwide oppose God and God’s people.
Satan’s Capabilities
Make no mistake about it: Satan is a formidable enemy, and his power is not to be underestimated. The Bible does not call him a “dragon” and compare him to a “lion” to amuse you. If you asked the Patriarch Job, he would describe what Satan can do to a person’s body (Job 1-2).
Brothers and sisters, this is spiritual warfare. Because we are fighting him, we can’t afford to be ignorant of the devil’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). He is subtle and crafty, which means the devil is a strategist. Jesus said he is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). The word “wrestle” used by Paul shows that we are not spectators in this spiritual war. We are actively involved in hand-to-hand combat with spirit entities. Hence, we wrestle with spirits, not people. This understanding should keep us vigilant in our spiritual battle.
The Christian’s Combat Gear
When a soldier enters a battle, he is given all the necessary clothes in preparation for a war. Soldiers need gear to take land from the opposing country. The body of Christ is in spiritual warfare. But God has equipped us to battle against the invisible forces of darkness. If you believe what the word of God says about you, you need to prepare yourself. You must also stand ready to defend your future.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:14-18
The Holy Spirit commands us, through the Apostle Paul, to put on the whole armor of God. Unless we have donned every piece of God’s armor, we are at risk of defeat. So, be sure tp wear these seven spiritual weapons every day.
Spiritual Weapon #1: The Girdle of Truth
“Gird your waist with truth.” John 8:44 tells us who Satan is. We know He is a liar. Therefore, the truth of God’s word is not just a defensive tool. It is a powerful weapon that can control a Christian’s life. It can also defeat any lie. The girdle of truth is much like a modern belt that holds other parts of the armor together. Truth is the active force in the Christian’s life. Consequently, a person of integrity can enter spiritual warfare without fear. They know that the truth they hold is a formidable weapon. They also know that it empowers them with confidence and strength.
Spiritual Weapon #2: The Breastplate of Righteousness
“Put on the breastplate of righteousness.” The breastplate is a piece of armor made of metal plates. It covers the body from the neck to the waist, front and back. It provides a full shield against the enemy’s accusations. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Nonetheless, he can’t accuse the Christian who lives a godly life by faith in Christ. This breastplate of righteousness is not just a piece of armor. It is a secure shield that protects the Christian from any accusation.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
The righteousness of Christ assures Christians of salvation. But our positional righteousness in Christ, without practical righteousness in daily life, allows Satan to attack us.
Spiritual Weapon #3: The Shoes of the Gospel
“Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” To stand in spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness, we need the peace of God that comes from the good news of the gospel, which says:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1
Suppose we are at peace with God and each other. In that case, we can easily defeat the enemy. This is possible if we prepare each day to share the gospel of peace with the world. A witnessing believer is a victorious believer.
Spiritual Weapon #4: The Shield of Faith
“Taking the shield of faith.” In biblical times, the battle shield protected the soldier from spears, arrows, and fiery darts. In ancient Roman warfare, archers dipped arrows in a flammable substance, ignited them, and shot them at the enemy. Roman shields were interlocking. Soldiers interlock shields and form a solid wall. We are not in battle alone. We create a defensive wall against the enemy’s attack when we stand in faith together. Satan shoots “fiery darts” at our hearts and minds. These darts come in the form of lies, blasphemous and hateful thoughts. If not quenched, these fiery darts will ignite a fire of sin within our hearts, causing us to sin. When we live by faith, we always have access to the shield of faith.
Spiritual Weapon #5: The Helmet of Salvation
“Take the helmet of salvation.” Satan attacks us by attacking our minds. We must safeguard our minds from his onslaught. We must allow God to control our thoughts. This way, Satan can’t lead us astray. We do this by:
“Casting down arguements and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
Spiritual Weapon #6: The Sword of the Spirit
“And the sword of the spirit.” Roman soldiers wore a short sword on their girdles for close fighting. The Bible compares the Word of God to a sword:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is a spiritual sword. Physical swords pierce the body; the sword of the Spirit pierces the heart. Physical swords wound to harm and take life; the sword of the Spirit wounds to heal and give life. Nevertheless, when we take up the sword of the Spirit against Satan, it disables his attempts to hinder God’s work. The more you know the Word of God, the better you can detect the devil’s lies.
Spiritual Weapon #7: Prayer
Prayer enables the Christian soldier to put on God’s armor and use the sword of the Spirit. We can’t successfully enter into spiritual warfare without it. It is impossible to fight this spiritual battle in our strength, no matter how strong or talented we are.
In Exodus 17, Amalek attacked Israel. Moses stood on the mountaintop holding the rod of God, a symbol of prayer. At the same time, Joshua used the sword against Amalek in the valley. Moses prayed on the mountain, and Joshua wielded his sword in the valley to defeat the dreaded enemy, Amalek.
Put On the Whole Armor of God
To achieve victory in this spiritual warfare, you need to don the whole armor of God. It encompasses all seven vital pieces. Selecting a few items is not enough; each piece is crucial for your protection and strength. The whole armor of God serves as a powerful representation of Jesus Christ. He is our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). He is also the embodiment of Truth (John 14:6). Christ is the source of our Peace (Ephesians 2:14). Furthermore, He is our Salvation (Luke 2:30) and the Word of God—our mighty Sword (John 1:1, 14). Equip yourself fully and stand firm in the spiritual battle, drawing strength from Him.
