No one likes to talk about wars. We know a lot of them from history, and they all feel so sad. War is one of those things where it doesn’t always feel like there is a winner. People of this world wage war on each other, but there is another force out there waging another kind of war. Everyday we are faced with the spiritual ware fare going on all around us.
There is always a battle going on for our hearts and minds. Everything is fighting for our attention and devotion. It can be really difficult to fight all the voices and temptations pulling us in different directions. The sin in our lives can try to take over control. That is why we need Christ, because he provides us the means to be able to fight back and also has given us the victory over all these things. “‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us the victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Thankfully, God gives us many tools to be able to fight back in this spiritual war.
The tools that God gives us can be nicely summed in in Ephesians 6:
“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (Ephesians 6:13-18).
We need every piece of this armor of God to be able to go out everyday and face the battle that is before us. We need truth to help us see though the lies. “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). We need Jesus’ righteousness to be able to live the way we ought. We need to let peace carry us, and allow us to share the Good News where and when we are called to. We need our faith to protect us from the schemes of the devil, because he is always looking for his next victim. “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We need to use the Spirit and the Word of God to cut down temptations. We need to constantly be in prayer, so our hearts and minds are focused on the One who can bring us the victory in this battle. In fact, he has already won the victory and shares it with us!
Do you feel spiritual war raging all around you? Put on the armor of God and get out there and fight today. And remember, Jesus has already given us the victory over sin and death forever!
“For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseens world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
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