We Are Called To War–Stand Firm!
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
Hello everyone! I hope this finds you walking in the power of the Lord.
I am writing on this topic this week because it seems like so many believers are going through spiritual battles. The problem is that many are forgetting exactly what they are in the middle of and are letting it defeat them emotionally. I have written this as a way to bring encouragement to all of you who may be going through it right now-to understand that your enemy is battling against you to steal you zeal, joy, and emotional strength. I don’t want to see you allow this spiritual battle you are in to bring discouragement into your life. So I am giving a call to all who need it today.
It’s a call to us to be men and women of God, to fight the good fight, to stand fast in the faith, to be strong in the Lord in the midst of the battle, in this dark and evil world. We must understand at all times that a true believer is Satan’s enemy. We must see that the greater our impact for God’s kingdom, the harder he works to stir up frustration, doubt, and anxiety.
The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesian believers warning them that the devil would scheme against a true Christian’s life. He (the devil) rallies the “spiritual forces of wickedness” to attack believers in mind, body, and spirit as we see in 6:12. His primary goal is to divert our attention from the Lord so that our relationship suffers and our witness is weakened or ruined. The Devil cannot snatch our eternal spirit from God’s hand (John 10:29) but he will settle for leading us to make a mess of this present life.
We Are Called To War-Stand Firm!
Those who ignore this call and the battle that rages around them are doomed to be casualties. Fending off satanic attack is not done in our own strength. No man or woman can match wits with the adversary. He is smarter and stronger than even the most intelligent people. Instead we must be continually empowered by God through the Holy Spirit, who is far greater than Satan. (1 John 4:4) We must answer the bugle call, we must put on our armor and stand our ground-or the battle will roll over us.
So we must learn to recognize how the dark systems of the devil work. But more than that, we must learn the processes of overcoming the systems of the devil-not by flesh and blood, not by joining committees, not by political action, not by taking up clubs or assault weapons and attacking a human enemy. No, Paul says the weapons of our warfare are not flesh and blood weapons, not physical weapons, not political weapons. Rather our weapons are mighty through God, unto the pulling down of strongholds and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
We are Called To War-Stand Firm
No battle was ever won without courage, perseverance, and strength. And that is the challenge before us, clearly sounded in Ephesians 6. Paul calls us to be strong in the Lord. He calls us to understand the nature of our enemy, and he calls us to put on the whole armor and join the battle. Let me say again that the apostle Paul indicates that the only ones who can successfully battle against the devil’s forces are true Christians. As unbelievers, we were under the power and control of Satan, even though we did not know it. But when we came to faith in Christ by His grace, we were delivered from his “kingdom of darkness” and made citizens in the “kingdom of light.” Our salvation caused us no longer to be the enemies of God, but at the same time resulted in us becoming the enemies of Satan. No wonder he so aggressively attacks Christians. We were once his subjects. The spiritual war is about not giving way, but standing fast.
So stand fast today and don’t give up ground. Go into your battle position and use the weapons at your disposal-prayer and God’s Word, and your faith in Him as your Deliverer. You have the power of the Holy Spirit within you to fight this war against your mind today and be victorious! So don’t give up, don’t let your mind be discouraged, don’t let your heart be troubled, for the Lord is with you and if He is with you who can be against you. Go on the offensive this week—you take the battle to his doorstep. And always remember, the Lord your God is with you!
God Bless you this week and praise God that the victory is your through the power and might of your Lord and God!
Pastor Brad Tuttle
