We are in a constant struggle. Why is it that the things that never bother you never happen but the things that bother you most happen all the time? This is more than having a bad day or bad week. There is evil in the world. The Bible speaks a lot about it.
Our Enemy
Paul urges, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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” (Eph. 6:10-12). Four times in Ephesians Paul references the heavenly realms (1:3, 2:6, 3:10). There is a war going on. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. We need to stop fighting one another and fight the real enemy! The devil is real. He is not a caricature in a red suit with horns and a pitchfork! There is a war going on in the world between good and evil taking place on three fronts. The first is the world around us. We live in a fallen world with a humanistic, materialistic, secularistic culture and a secular worldview. It is a world system opposed to God. There is also the flesh within us. Paul expressed this in Romans 7 when he said, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do… For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (v. 15, 19). Galatians 5:17 tells us that “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit.” Finally, there is the devil against us. John 10:10 tells us the devil comes to destroy us. He wants to steal your understanding, kill your joy, and destroy God’s purpose for your life.
Our Weaponry
Praise God for the weapons He gives us! Second Corinthians 10:4 says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” A stronghold is the lies that enslave us. It is any pattern or habit of unholy thinking and living that holds you hostage. The Devil has power. How much power? A Christian cannot be possessed but can be oppressed. Spiritual warfare does not negate personal responsibility. You can’t say, “The devil made me do it.” Any area of your life that is not under the Lordship of Jesus is open to demonic influence and strongholds. We have three divine weapons against the enemy. First, the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. His name is the highest name (see Lk. 10:17 and Phil. 2:9-10). We also have the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.” In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, Jesus overcame temptation of the devil by saying, “It is written.” Ephesians tells us the word of God is our offensive weapon (Eph. 6:17). Finally, we have the power of the cross. Revelation 12:11 says, “They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” The Son of God came to destroy the work of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8). Jesus defeated the devil so you and I could have victory.
Our Victory
First Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” Your adversary wants to rip you, your marriage, your home, the church, a nation apart. Watch out! Lions are swift and they are secret. They do not roar before they attack. They explode on unexpecting, unprotected prey. A lion attack is bloody. It is a horrific picture of the violence of our enemy. He wants to rip you apart. Those who have tracked lions say, “They only roar after the kill.” If you hear the roar, it is too late. Lions do not warn you, but the Lord does! Don’t be passive. Don’t be fearful. Every day it requires communion with God and confrontation with the devil. James says, “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (Ja. 4:7-8). Use your weapons. Take up your sword and do battle. Fight the good fight of faith. We are on the winning side. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).