The Power of Your Thought Life

“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. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11-17

The desert battlefields of North Africa were disastrous for Allied tanks during the initial stages of World War II. Under the leadership of Field Marshal Rommel, German tanks were devastating British armour. However, British Field Marshal Montgomery learned key tactical maneuvers utilized by the Germans and soon neutralized and overcame the opposition.

The body of Christ likewise is engaged in daily warfare against a crafty foe. We do not struggle “against flesh and blood, but against...the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). Therefore, if Christians are to live confidently and victoriously, we must pinpoint Satan’s strategy.

When Paul warned the Corinthians not to be “ignorant of his (the devil’s) schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11), he provided us with a major clue to the enemy’s tactics. The Greek word Paul used for schemes is derived from the same Greek word for mind. In other words, Satan’s primary assaults occur in our thought life.

“The flaming arrows of the evil one” that Paul describes in Ephesians 6:16 can be “extinguished” as we learn to put on and take up “the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:11).

“...for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”
2 Corinthians 2:11