Spiritual Warfare

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13

One of the surest wake-up calls in the Christian life is when a person realizes he is in spiritual warfare. The avenues of Satan’s assaults vary but be assured that he will launch spiritual attacks against the mind, emotions, and will of the Christian. The apostle Peter tells the believer that he should “be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).

Before a person receives Christ as Savior, he is a captive of sin and Satan, whether or not he is aware of this bondage. Paul instructed Timothy not to quarrel with unbelievers but hope that God would help them “come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:26).

We lived, in Paul’s words, “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air [the devil and his angels]...” (Eph. 2:2). However, as a Christian you have been delivered from “darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God...” (Acts 26:18).

You are no longer under the devil’s dominion or authority. Praise God for your mighty deliverance, but be ready for conflict.

“The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die!’” Genesis 3:4