Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Today, lets investigate a topic that's both intriguing and essential for us as believers: spiritual warfare. Now, don't let that term intimidate you. It's not about donning armour and wielding swords in the physical sense. Rather, it's about understanding the spiritual battle we're engaged in and how we can stand firm in the victory that Christ has already won for us.

Let's start with a fundamental truth: Jesus has already defeated Satan. This isn't a battle we're fighting to win; it's a victory we're standing in. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, puts it this way: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). Notice he doesn't say “be strong in yourself” or “muster up your own strength.” No, our strength comes from the Lord.

Friends, this is crucial to understand. We're not called to defeat Satan – Jesus did that at the cross. When Christ uttered those powerful words, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He was declaring victory over sin, death, and the devil. Our role now is to stand firm in that victory.

So, what does this spiritual warfare look like in our daily lives? Well, it's primarily a battle against deception. You see, Satan, once a mighty angel, now stands as a defeated foe. His power was broken at the cross, where Jesus “disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). The only weapon left in Satan's arsenal is deception. He can't force us to do anything, but he can try to trick us into believing lies about God, ourselves, and our circumstances.

This is why Paul urges us to “put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). The word “wiles” here is crucial. It speaks of the enemy's schemes, his cunning devices. Satan is a master deceiver, and his primary strategy is to distort our view of God and ourselves.

Let's break down this armour piece by piece, shall we? First, we have the belt of truth. In Roman times, the belt held everything together. For us, God's truth is what keeps us grounded and secure. It's not about us being truthful (though that's important), but about girding ourselves with God's truth. It's about renewing our minds with His Word, letting it shape our thoughts and beliefs. As Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Next, we have the breastplate of righteousness. Now, this isn't our own righteousness – which Isaiah describes as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) – but the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to us. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This righteousness is our protection against condemnation and guilt. When Satan tries to accuse us, we can stand firm knowing that we are clothed in Christ's righteousness.

Friends, have you ever considered the importance of proper footwear in battle? Paul tells us to have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). This peace isn't just a feeling, but a position. Because of Christ's work, we have peace with God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). This peace gives us stability and sure footing in our spiritual walk. It allows us to stand firm when the enemy tries to shake us.

The shield of faith is our protection against the “fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16). These darts can come in many forms – doubts, fears, temptations – but our faith in God's promises extinguishes them all. Remember, faith isn't just believing in God, but believing God – taking Him at His word. When circumstances seem dire, when doubts creep in, we lift up the shield of faith, trusting in God's character and His promises.

The helmet of salvation protects our minds with the assurance of our eternal security in Christ. It's not just about past forgiveness or present victory, but also future glory. As Paul reminds us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). This hope keeps us steady when the battles of life threaten to overwhelm us.

Finally, we have the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This isn't just about knowing Scripture, but about wielding it effectively in our daily battles. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He responded to each temptation with “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10). We need to do the same, speaking God's truth over our situations.

Now, you might be wondering, “How do I actually put on this armour?” It's not about a literal, physical action, but about daily choosing to believe and act on these truths. It's about reminding yourself of your identity in Christ, meditating on God's Word, and choosing to trust His promises even when circumstances seem dire.

Friends, this is where the rubber meets the road. Putting on the armour of God is a daily choice. It's about waking up each morning and consciously deciding to trust in God's truth rather than the lies of the enemy. It's about choosing to believe in your righteous standing in Christ, even when you feel unworthy. It's about walking in the peace that comes from knowing you're reconciled to God, even when the world around you is in chaos.

Remember, spiritual warfare isn't about trying harder or being “strong enough”. It's about resting in Christ's finished work and allowing His strength to flow through us. As Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Let's talk for a moment about the nature of our enemy. The Bible describes Satan as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). But here's the thing – he's a toothless lion. His power has been broken; his authority stripped away. The only power he has over us is the power we give him when we believe his lies.

This is why it's so crucial to renew our minds with God's truth. Romans 12:2 tells us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” As we fill our minds with God's Word, we become more discerning, able to recognise and resist the enemy's deceptions.

Friends, one of the enemy's favourite tactics is to make us doubt our identity in Christ. He loves to remind us of our past failures, our current struggles, trying to convince us that we're not really children of God. But here's the truth – if you've put your faith in Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). You are chosen, holy, and beloved (Colossians 3:12). You are more than a conqueror through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

Another area where we often face spiritual attacks is in our thought life. The enemy loves to plant seeds of worry, fear, and doubt. But we're called to “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is where the sword of the Spirit comes in handy. When anxious thoughts come, we counter them with God's promises of peace and provision.

Let's also remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood. It's easy to get caught up in conflicts with people, thinking they're the enemy. But Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” This doesn't mean we ignore injustice or never confront wrongdoing, but it does mean we approach these situations with spiritual discernment, recognising the real source of the conflict.

Now, I want to address a common misconception about spiritual warfare. Some believe it's about binding demons, rebuking the devil, or engaging in elaborate spiritual warfare rituals. But friends, that's not what the Bible teaches. Our primary call is to resist the devil (James 4:7), to stand firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:9), and to put on the armour of God (Ephesians 6:11). It's a defensive posture, not an offensive one.

This doesn't mean we're passive, though. We're actively resisting by choosing to believe God's truth over the enemy's lies. We're standing firm by continuing to trust God even when circumstances are difficult. We're putting on the armour by daily reminding ourselves of who we are in Christ and what He's done for us.

Friends, one of the most powerful weapons we have in spiritual warfare is praise. When we praise God, we're declaring His goodness, His power, His sovereignty over our situations. Remember Paul and Silas in prison? They sang hymns at midnight, and God shook the foundations of the prison (Acts 16:25-26). There's power in praise!

Be blessed today my brothers and sisters and remember that you are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). Stand firm in His truth, rest in His righteousness, walk in His peace, shield yourself with faith, protect your mind with the assurance of salvation, and wield the sword of His Word. In doing so, you'll find yourself standing strong, no matter what battles you face. The victory is already yours in Christ – now go and live in that reality!

Phil