SATURDAY July 27, 2024

Spiritual Warfare

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

The Apostle Paul saved the best for last! In Ephesians 6, he covered relationships between parents and children, servants and masters. Now he concluded his letter with the final topic––spiritual warfare. In this passage of Scripture, a picture is given of a believer as a soldier.

In Paul’s address to Timothy, a young pastor, we notice that the same analogy was given to him as an exhortation to be a good soldier:

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4).

The moment you became a Christian, you enlisted as a soldier into a spiritual battle. New believers experience trials and spiritual warfare, but need help to understand why. The Apostle Peter gives us clarity:

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12-13).

When you become a Christian, your life will not become a bed of roses––you have entered into spiritual warfare! Paul taught believers how to do battle from the viewpoint of their position “in Christ.” He knew that before a Christian engaged in battle against Satan and his demons, they first needed to know their fighting position.

Christians cannot fight this battle in their own strength. It has to be fought in the strength and power of the Lord. A believer needs to be equipped for the battle by putting on the whole armor of God. They will become strong in the Lord through daily prayer and the study of God’s Word.

Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle—
~Psalm 144:1~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!