The Believer’s Warfare (Part 1)

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  (6:10-13)

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As we read Ephesians we find that the true Christian described in Chapters 1-3 who lives the faithful life described in 4:1—6:9 can be sure that he will be involved in the spiritual warfare described in 6:10-20.  The faithful Christian life is a battle; it is warfare on a grand scale—because when God begins to bless, Satan begins to attack.

Keep this in mind, if we are walking worthy of our calling:

• In humility rather than pride,
• In unity rather than divisiveness,
• In the new self rather than the old,
• In love rather than lust,
• In light rather than darkness,
• In wisdom rather than foolishness,
• In the fullness of the Spirit rather than the drunkenness of wine, and
• In mutual submission rather than self-serving independence,

Then we can be absolutely certain we will have opposition and conflict. 

If Jesus’ ministry began in a great battle with Satan that lasted forty days (Luke 4:2). As Jesus’ ministry ended, Satan besieged Him again in the Garden of Gethsemane with such force that He sweat great drops of blood (22:44).

Then we need to understand that the battle may not become easier as we grow in obedience to God. If anything, Satan will intensify his efforts against those who continue to effectively serve the Lord.

As believers grow stronger, so will Satan’s attacks. The Christian who continually seeks to grow in his knowledge of and obedience to the Word and to serve the Lord more faithfully will not find things becoming easier. As the Lord gives mastery over certain temptations and weaknesses, Satan will attack elsewhere. Faithful witnessing, preaching, teaching, visiting, and every other service for the Lord not only will bring victories but will also bring their own special difficulties and opposition.

Think about this, a Christian who no longer has to struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil is a Christian who has fallen either into sin or into complacency.

A Christian who has no conflict needs to analyze their relationship with the Christ; if the devil leaves them alone it is probably because Satan feels that he has them.

When Paul first went to Ephesus he immediately began to preach the gospel and the Lord blessed his work, but from the beginning he faced opposition. Paul knew that where there was the greatest spiritual challenge there was also likely to be the greatest danger and opposition.

The Preparation: Strength in the Lord

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.  (6:10)

Basic to the effective Christian life is preparation. The unprepared believer becomes the defeated believer who seeks to serve the Lord in their own wisdom and power. The strength of the Christian life is dependence on God, being strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Any other strength proves to be, impotent.

The cardinal reality presented in the book of Ephesians is that, as believers, we are in Christ and are one with Him. His life is our life, His power our power, His truth our truth, His way our way.

The Lord’s strength is always more than sufficient for the battle. When Jesus told the church at Philadelphia, “I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Rev. 3:8), He was affirming that even a little power was enough to preserve them, because it was the Lord’s supernatural power. Our own strength is never strong enough to oppose Satan, but when we are strong in the Lord, even a little of His strength is sufficient to win any battle. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” Paul said (Phil. 4:13).

It is not the amount of the strength we have that is important—only its source. In the ultimate sense, our battles with Satan are already won. In his crucifixion and resurrection Jesus destroyed Satan and his power of sin and death (Rom. 5:18-21; 1 Cor. 15:56-57; Heb. 2:14). Trust in Jesus Christ initiates a person into that victory. To the extent that a Christian is strong in the Lord, his victory over the worst that Satan has to offer is guaranteed.

We are in a war—a fierce and terrible war—but we have no reason to be afraid if we are on the Lord’s side. Appropriation of that strength comes through the means of grace—prayer, knowledge of and obedience to the Word, and faith in the promises of God.

After several years of ministry, Timothy became fearful and timid. He faced stronger temptations than he had expected and considerably more opposition. Paul wrote to him, “I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.… You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:6-8; 2:1).

So as we face trials, it is because we got the enemy worried and upset.  Let us reach out to Jesus and He will grant us the power needed to be victorious.

Have a Blessed Day!