The Unseen Battle

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

 

Every day, whether we realize it or not, we step onto a battlefield. Not the one you are picturing in your mind right now with soldiers marching carrying weapons of destruction, no this battlefield is the one inside your mind. The enemy doesn’t announce his attacks with loud warnings, he does it ever so subtly through fear, doubt, anxiety, deception and worry.

 

But we are not defenseless. God has given us divine armor to suit up against this darkness, crafted in His victory. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God are not just concepts, they are our weapons. When we put on the full armor of God (Eph 6:13-18), we stand in His strength, not our own.

 

Recognizing the Battle

 Our adversary’s greatest strategy is to keep us unaware of the war raging around us. If the enemy can trick us to believe our struggles are merely circumstantial or coincidental, he unarms us leaving us vulnerable and not fighting back with our spiritual weapons. But when we see our trials, temptations, and spiritual oppression in their truth, tactics from the enemy, we are able to respond in the power of Jesus Christ.

 

How To Stand Firm

●     Stay rooted in Truth - the enemy is the father of lies (John 8:44) we combat his deception by grounding ourselves in the Word of God

●     Guard your heart with Righteousness - sin desensitizes us. Seek God in all that you do, protecting your innermost being. (Prov 4:23)

●     Walk in peace - chaos and confusion are the enemy’s favorite weapon, pray without ceasing and the peace of God will sustain us. (Phil 4:7)

●     Raise your shield of Faith - the enemy will throw fiery darts, but faith brings rewards to those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)

●     Wear the helmet of Salvation - the enemy will trick you to think salvation comes from you, BUT protect your mind remembering who you are in Christ Jesus, and that salvation only comes through Jesus (Romans 13:14)

●     Wield the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) and can be used to protect yourself from the enemy's perversion of truth.

 

Application

I am sure by now you can identify one area of your life where the enemy has been attacking you - your thoughts, relationships, emotions, or circumstances. You can see his attacks in the light now and you have the power to fight back in the spiritual realm. Look up scripture to combat the lies of the enemy and speak it out loud over yourself and your situation daily. Pray with the authority given to us by Jesus when he shed his blood for us. Remember that we are not exempt from trials because we follow Jesus, however we can count it as pure joy when we face them. (James 1:2)

 

You are not fighting for victory; you are fighting from victory! Jesus has already overcome (John 16:33). Stand firm, put on your armor, and walk boldly in the power of God.

 

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come before you, trusting in Your power and protection. You are my refuge, my defender, and my shield. In the name of Jesus, I stand against every scheme of the enemy. I bind all forces of darkness sent to harm me or distract me from Your purpose. I declare no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Surround me with Your Light Lord, and let Your presence drive out any shadow of fear or doubt. Guard my heart, my mind, and my spirit from the attacks from the enemy. Keep me steady in the face of trials and remind me that the battle belongs to You. Thank you for the cross, for having me on your mind. In Jesus' mighty and matchless name I pray, Amen.

 

Are you ready to fight with faith? Let’s stand together in the Armor and Grace of Christ.

Until next time, with love in Christ

Jess