When we think of battles, our minds often go to foreign lands or military forces who serve our countries. Here in America, we have little idea of what it is to face a war on our own land, for which I am forever grateful to our Lord. But there are other types of battles which affect basically all of us at one time or another, whether small interpersonal squabbles, or all out health battles we fight in efforts to save our lives, or even battles we face within ourselves– “fighting our demons” we have heard it said.
Whether we like it, see it, or accept it, the reality is we are all in a battle.
When armies go to war, they go armed. They are fully prepared with defensive and offensive weapons. They know very well there will be encounters with an enemy who desires to kill and destroy them. They go alert and trained. Do they hope to avoid confrontation when possible? I imagine so, but they go prepared anyway because they bear the knowledge that a real enemy is always seeking them.
This is the war in the physical realm. We believe it because we can see it on the news, we hear reports from the media and from those who have been involved in it, and we feel the pain of those who have had losses, or bear the permanent scars of those battles. Our five senses confirm the reality of those wars.
But there is an even greater war happening right now in the spiritual realm. We don’t seem to realize that it is more real and much stronger than any physical battle being waged on this earth. If we are spiritually in tune, we can see it, we can hear it, and we can definitely sense it.
Observe family relationships implode. Grieve with survivors of suicides and murders. Witness the destructive force of words used against each other to bully and humiliate. Listen to the media feeds that leave people angry and frustrated. Sense the tension that is present in conversations and situations. The war is definitely real, but many are ignorant of it. Most are untrained to fight this battle, let alone acknowledge its existence.
Within this spiritual war are territories claimed by the dark side. Picture a small town, then a larger city, a county, a state, a country….the world. All in play for this battle of spiritual domination. Each has a demonic spirit or spirits of varying strength– rulers, powers, world forces of this darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness– who seek to control, wreak havoc, bring destruction and death. The war is waged in small locations and huge playing fields– even the world stage.
As Christians we are instructed to engage in this spiritual battle. We cannot sit idly by and hope it will all go away; that we won’t be affected by it. We WILL be touched by this war. We and our loved ones. We must stand and fight for the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 6:12 says,
"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 the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (NIV)
Note that it doesn’t say “if” we struggle, or “if” we wrestle, or “if” we fight, it says we DO struggle, we DO wrestle, we DO fight, but not against flesh and blood. We fight against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
As believers we have been given primarily defensive gear for this spiritual battle. God has given us armor, but we must wear it to be protected from enemy assault. Ephesians 6:13-18a is very specific.
“Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition.
Notice the words. Take up, stand firm, take up, take, pray in the Spirit at all times. These are not suggestions. These are not words that say do it if you feel like it. They are commands. Orders. In this battle we are all engaged in, our Commander-in-Chief has given us directives. But if we don’t believe in the battle, nor feel we are involved, or we feel we are safe from attack, we leave ourselves vulnerable and open to assault.
Then consider our offensive weapon. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. It is so strong, so powerful, so complete in and of itself, we need no other weapon.
The word of God– our only offensive weapon– “ For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
So if we are already engaged in this fight, how do we fight? The best way to fight is to look to our Leader, Our Commander; the Lord of Hosts. How did Jesus fight the devil when He was on this earth? He is our example and Teacher.
He used the WORD OF GOD. He responded with Scripture when the devil tried to trip Him up. When he was slinging temptation after temptation at Jesus in the desert, the only reply given was the word of God, and it was the only thing needed to silence the enemy. Jesus was armed with the ammo of God’s word.
Christians, if you have never considered the battle you are in, please do. The devil will not leave you untouched. Because we are created in God’s image, your destruction is assigned by the devil.
Become prepared for battle. Read, study, memorize, ponder, look at, write out the word of God. Know who you are in Christ and what He has provided to help you in this spiritual fight. Know WHO your commander-in-chief is. KNOW the One who loves you and is there to help you.
You would never walk into a physical war with no means of defending yourself or of striking out to stop the one who desires your physical death, so please don’t remain disarmed in the spiritual battle for your soul. Be prepared!
