Any good thing and blessing from God will not be unmet with opposition from the kingdom of darkness. Paul experienced warfare big time. Peter specifically gave the warning: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
In His grace, the LORD made sure we were not left unprepared. He gave instructions on fighting the adversary of our soul and entrusted Paul with teaching disciples how to wage spiritual warfare.
RELEVANCE
The book of Ephesians is to a great extent Paul’s spiritual warfare manual. He summed up his teaching in Ephesians 6:10-19 with his exhortation on being dressed in the armor of God. I’ve heard many Christians say, “I’m familiar with the scripture.” Reality is it’s one thing to know the scripture; applying it is entirely different.
Being consciously dressed in the LORD’s armor and walking in it is effective in helping us keep our focus on the things of God and appropriate His victory. We, therefore, tighten His belt around us as we center our frame of reference in God’s truths. The LORD’s helmet of salvation protects our mind as we keep our thoughts clean and resist falsehoods and vain imaginations and desires. As we place trusting faith in God, His shield repels fear and protects our emotions. God’s word at the forefront of our mind acts as a powerful sword enabling us to apply God’s wisdom. His shoes keep us grounded in His love and enable us to walk in His grace and peace.
Fighting the good fight of faith truly takes tenacity and perseverance. The Holy Spirit, however, has equipped us to win! We can only meet the challenge, though, with the help and mutual prayer and support of fellow believers, actively engaged with God in faith and fellowship. That’s how God designed it to be.
REFLECT AND RELATE
See more on this topic under the category, “Spiritual Warfare.”
REFERENCES
Ephesians 6:10-19; 2 Corinthians 10:1-6