Standing Strong in Spiritual Warfare: How to Fight the Battle That’s Already Won
In the midst of life’s challenges, many Christians find themselves feeling like spectators rather than active participants in their faith journey. Just as Civil War onlookers thought they could safely watch from the sidelines only to find themselves caught in the crossfire, believers today often discover that spiritual battles require active engagement, not passive observation.
Why Can’t We Just Watch From the Sidelines?
The reality is that every believer is called to participate in spiritual warfare. There’s no neutral ground in the Christian life. When God has equipped us for battle, sitting on the sidelines isn’t an option. The apostle Paul understood this truth and concluded his letter to the Ephesians with three crucial commands that prepare us for the spiritual battles we all face.
Three Essential Commands for Spiritual Victory
Command 1: Be Strong in the Lord
Paul’s first instruction is clear: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). This isn’t about mustering up our own willpower or determination. True spiritual strength comes from being strong “in the Lord” and “in the power of his might.”
The key insight here is that we’re not fighting in our own strength. The psalmist reminds us, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.” When we rely on God’s strength rather than our own, we tap into unlimited power. It’s impossible to be weak when we’re operating in God’s strength.
Command 2: Put On the Full Armor of God
The second command involves intentional preparation: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Notice Paul emphasizes the “full” armor – not partial protection, not mixing and matching, but complete spiritual equipment.
Understanding Our Real Enemy
Before examining the armor pieces, Paul clarifies who we’re actually fighting against. 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.”
This means our real enemy isn’t other people – not our spouse, boss, or difficult neighbors. We’re fighting against spiritual forces led by the devil himself. Understanding our true enemy is crucial because the worst thing we can do is fight the wrong battle.
What We Need to Know About the Devil
Paul reveals several important truths about our spiritual enemy:
- He’s real – not a metaphor or fictional character
- He’s intelligent – using schemes and methods against us
- He’s powerful – commanding spiritual forces
- He’s evil – seeking our destruction
- He has allies – demons working with him
But here’s the most important truth: he’s already defeated. At Christ’s resurrection, all the devil’s schemes were overcome. We’re fighting from a position of victory, not trying to achieve it.
The Six Pieces of Spiritual Armor
God has equipped us with everything we need to stand firm. Each piece of armor serves a specific purpose:
1. The Belt of Truth
Truth wraps around us like a belt, supporting everything else. We fight the enemy’s lies with God’s truth. This means surrounding ourselves with Scripture, living in truth, and professing truth in all circumstances.
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
This protects our vital spiritual organs – our heart and inner being. Righteous living serves as our defense against spiritual attack. When we live according to God’s principles, we’re protected from the inside out.
3. Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace
Like Roman soldiers’ spiked sandals that provided better traction in battle, our spiritual footwear gives us stability. Being prepared with the gospel of peace means we’re ready to share the good news wherever we go. Our faith is literally tied to our feet – how we walk and where we go.
4. The Shield of Faith
This large shield blocks “all the fiery darts of the evil one.” When Satan attacks with temptations, frustrations, or problems, we raise the shield of faith. This means believing in God even when we don’t understand, standing firm in our convictions, and trusting in the One in whom we’ve placed our faith.
5. The Helmet of Salvation
Protecting our mind and thoughts, the helmet of salvation guards against mental attacks. When doubts arise or the enemy tries to confuse us, we remember our salvation in Christ. The devil may bother us, but he cannot defeat those who belong to Jesus.
6. The Sword of the Spirit
The Word of God is our only offensive weapon. Just as Jesus responded to Satan’s temptations with Scripture, we fight spiritual battles by wielding God’s Word. This is why hiding God’s Word in our hearts is so crucial – it’s our weapon against sin and temptation.
Command 3: Stand Firm
After being strong and putting on the armor, Paul’s final command is simply to stand. This might seem passive, but it’s actually the most important action we can take. Our job isn’t to win the battle – that’s already been accomplished. Our job isn’t even to gain ground. Our job is to stand firm in the victory Christ has already won.
How to Use the Armor Effectively
Having the armor isn’t enough – we need to know how to use it. Paul gives us two key instructions:
Pray Constantly
Prayer is like the on/off switch for our spiritual armor. It’s how we access God’s resources and connect with His strength. We need “all kinds of prayer for all kinds of circumstances.” Prayer isn’t just routine – it’s an act of spiritual warfare.
Stay Alert
We must remain vigilant and watchful. Peter warns that our enemy prowls like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Spiritual complacency leads to spiritual vulnerability. We can’t afford to get lazy in our spiritual battles.
When to Stand
Paul’s instruction to stand applies to every challenging situation we face:
- When facing ridicule for your faith – stand
- When under persecution – stand
- When dealing with theological questions – stand
- When facing frustrations – stand
- When experiencing financial difficulties – stand
- When confronting health concerns – stand
- When navigating family crises – stand
- When battling temptations – stand
And when you’ve done everything you can to stand, Paul says, “then stand.”
Life Application
This week, commit to putting on the full armor of God daily. Just as you wouldn’t leave home without getting dressed, don’t start your day without spiritual preparation. Each morning, intentionally “put on” each piece of armor through prayer and Scripture reading.
Begin your day by wrapping yourself in God’s truth, protecting your heart with righteous living, preparing your feet with the gospel, raising your shield of faith, securing your mind with the helmet of salvation, and taking up the sword of God’s Word.
Remember, you’re not fighting to win a battle – you’re standing firm in a victory that’s already been secured. Christ has already proven victorious, and you’re fighting from a position of strength, not weakness.
Questions for Reflection:
- In what areas of your life have you been trying to fight spiritual battles in your own strength rather than God’s?
- Which piece of spiritual armor do you most need to focus on strengthening in your daily walk?
- What specific “fiery darts” has the enemy been shooting at you, and how can you better use your shield of faith to block them?
- How can you move from being a spectator in spiritual warfare to being an active participant who stands firm in Christ’s victory?
