Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-11 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Make no mistake about it we are in a war. It is a spiritual battle, and Paul provides believers with a self-defense course in Ephesians chapter six. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus equips us with all six dimensions of our spiritual armor through the Holy Spirit.

Our spiritual enemies are not human. They are evil demonic spirits that constantly carry out Satan’s dirty work. They are evil, sinful immoral characters resulting from a wicked and hard heart.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Most people, even believers have no idea that they are in a battle, much less how to combat Satan and his rulers of darkness, which are demons. Notice, it is a “whole armor”. As believers, we need to make sure we are completely covered. As you read the next verses, ask the Holy Spirit to tell you if you have any areas of weakness in your armor. By doing this we will be able to withstand, or, resist the opposing powers of darkness.

Ephesians 6:13-17 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. We are protected by the only person Satan has never defeated. Thankfully our spiritual armor is to be used in a war that has already been won. That does not mean that we are to do nothing. On the contrary, we need to take action, knowing our victory is won.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

This is a promise of God, no weapon formed against us will prosper. We need to believe it in our hearts through faith, this is our shield against the fiery dart the enemy throws at us. These darts are accusations and lies, trying to make us doubt God’s love for us.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Spiritual things cannot be decerned, or understood, by the unredeemed. The cross is the power of God, simply because it was there that the total sin of debt was paid, allowing us to receive the Holy Spirit in whom the knowledge resides, and empowering Him the ability to work in our lives.

Hebrew 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

When you invite the Holy Spirit to teach you, read the word of God, the bible. It is alive, powerful, active and energizing. It is sharper than a sword refers to the ability of the word of God to probe.

Piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow. It doesn’t mean literally dividing asunder of the soul from the spirit or joints from marrow, but rather that the word of God can help you to see, or discern, the difference between what our soul (which may be led by the flesh) and the Spirit of God tells our spirit. We can lie to ourselves, but the Holy Spirit can and will tell you the truth, if you allow Him.

The power of the Holy Spirit penetrates to the point of separating the soul, your mind, your will and emotions through the quickening of the word of God, by the Holy Spirit who is the discerner of the intents of our thoughts. He quickens our minds with discernment to sharpen or give us a keener perception to our thoughts and our heart.

We are overcomers because of what Jesus obtained through the Cross. He bridged the Gap so we could have fellowship with the Father and cleansing from our sins by Jesus’ shed blood. When we accept this free gift, and commit to following Him, the Holy Spirit comes and teaches us how to win the battle.

With the world chaos we have going on today, the devil is trying to kill steal and destroy all the good in our lives. The word of God and the whole armor of God will help us overcome all plans of the enemy for our destruction.

The main thing we as believers must do is to trust God, trying to live righteously, in right standing, and love one another.

God Bless You and Protect You,

Brother Andy Freeman