The battle is on. Join the fight!
As followers of Christ, we are in the middle of a conflict that has been raging for thousands of years—whether we know it or not. Our conflict is a spiritual battle, and it’s critical for us to know the stakes.
We have talked about Satan, demons, paranormal activity, and last week Jean explained that as Christians we don't need to fear evil forces when we are in Christ. This week we are told to suit-up with the armor that God provides for our daily battle.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
The TV character MacGyver is known for his uncanny ability to get out of harrowing circumstances with mundane objects. Whether he’s defusing a bomb, rescuing people, or escaping from a deadly trap, all MacGyver needs to save the day is his knowledge of science, a few paper clips, and some chewing gum.
Of course, the show is pure fiction. But sometimes it would be nice if we could save ourselves from life’s problems and attacks by quickly grabbing whatever is at hand and creatively crafting tools to free ourselves. Right?
Thankfully, God has given us all we need to do just that. He’s equipped us with the tools we need to stand strong in the face of attacks that come against us. Better than any tool we can create on our own, God has given us spiritual armor and weapons.
Yes, life is often a battle with Satan coming against us. But we are guaranteed victory when we trust in Christ and in the tools He has provided.
THE POINT: God equips us for the spiritual battles we face.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Ephesians 6:10-13
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Jesus never promised the Christian life would be easy. Life by itself can be full of difficulties, but that difficulty is compounded by an enemy who is “prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Therefore, Paul called us to “be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.” Our own strength is insufficient! This call to embrace the strength God gives echoes His words to Joshua: “Be strong and very courageous” (Josh. 1:7).
We, too, must embrace that same trust in God’s strength if we hope to live the Christian life victoriously. But we’re not in a battle to gain victory; we’re strengthened in the Lord and we engage in spiritual warfare from a position of victory. The victory over Satan was won on the cross. Still, though Christ has defeated our enemy (see Rev. 12:10-11), defeated enemies don’t always give up easily. When an enemy has nothing more to lose, he can even attack with greater intensity.
Paul reminded us why we need the Lord’s strength: we face a powerful adversary who attacks strategically. Paul referred to “the schemes of the devil.” Satan knows where, when, and how to target each of us. Our enemy is also organized; he works against us through his army: “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”
Yes, we have victory in Christ. But Paul still called the battle we face a “struggle.” The Greek word is actually tied to the sport of wrestling, which reminds us that we don’t battle the spiritual forces of evil from a distance. Our fight is a close, hand-to-hand type of struggle—only we’re not struggling in a physical context. Our fight is not ”against flesh and blood.” It’s supernatural.
So how do we take on these evil forces that seek to harm us? We stand. In a position of Christ-centered confidence, Paul told us to “take your stand.” We do that when we “take up the full armor of God.” By doing so, we become active participants, not passive observers, in dealing with spiritual attack.
Ephesians 6:14-17
14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God.
God provides His armor for the battles we face in His name:
Ephesians 6:18-20
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.
We have one more tool at our disposal as we engage in spiritual battle: prayer. God has supplied us with all we need to stand, but we never stand alone. We need constant communication with the One we serve.
Prayer is more than mere communication with God; it’s our communion with Him. Prayer is taking the promises of God and speaking them back to Him. It’s a continual dependence upon Christ. We are to do this “at all times.” Paul told the Thessalonians that Christians are to “pray constantly” (1 Thess. 5:17). Even as we’re working, playing, and going about our daily routine, we are to be praying.
Why should we pray continually? Because we’re in a battle. Soldiers know they can’t slack off; they must remain vigilant. Paul called us to “stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” We pray continually, ever alert to the attacks of the devil. But we don’t just pray for ourselves; we pray “for all the saints.” We pray for the strength of our fellow believers in this shared battle against evil. We also pray “in the Spirit with every prayer and request.” As we pray for others and ourselves, we include praise, worship, thanksgiving, and confession—in addition to the requests we lay before God.
Notice that Paul made prayer personal. He said, “Pray also for me.” Paul, the great apostle and evangelist, asked others to pray that he “might be bold enough to speak” the gospel. Paul knew any boldness he had came from God, and he was well aware of his need to remain dependent on Him.
We need boldness, too. Fortunately, the same Source that provided Paul’s boldness sustains us, as well. We can move forward in the boldness Christ freely offers. But make no mistake: we cannot be bold for God until we have been bold with God in prayer.
What will you do this week to trust in Christ and rely on what He has provided?
Consider the following suggestions:
Don’t lose sight of the fact you’re in a spiritual battle that doesn’t include just you. You have help! You have the support of your friends and family. More importantly, you have the support of God, who empowers you to stand.
Teacher Notes:
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Jesus never promised the Christian life would be easy. Life by itself can be full of difficulties, but that difficulty is compounded by an enemy who is “prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Therefore, Paul called us to “be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.” Our own strength is insufficient! This call to embrace the strength God gives echoes His words to Joshua: “Be strong and very courageous” (Josh. 1:7).
We, too, must embrace that same trust in God’s strength if we hope to live the Christian life victoriously. But we’re not in a battle to gain victory; we’re strengthened in the Lord and we engage in spiritual warfare from a position of victory. The victory over Satan was won on the cross. Still, though Christ has defeated our enemy (see Rev. 12:10-11), defeated enemies don’t always give up easily. When an enemy has nothing more to lose, he can even attack with greater intensity.
Paul reminded us why we need the Lord’s strength: we face a powerful adversary who attacks strategically. Paul referred to “the schemes of the devil.” Satan knows where, when, and how to target each of us. Our enemy is also organized; he works against us through his army: “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”
What have you been taught about spiritual warfare?
Yes, we have victory in Christ. But Paul still called the battle we face a “struggle.” The Greek word is actually tied to the sport of wrestling, which reminds us that we don’t battle the spiritual forces of evil from a distance. Our fight is a close, hand-to-hand type of struggle—only we’re not struggling in a physical context. Our fight is not ”against flesh and blood.” It’s supernatural.
So how do we take on these evil forces that seek to harm us? We stand. In a position of Christ-centered confidence, Paul told us to “take your stand.” We do that when we “take up the full armor of God.” By doing so, we become active participants, not passive observers, in dealing with spiritual attack.
Ephesians 6:14-17
14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God.
God provides His armor for the battles we face in His name:
- Belt of truth. The belt secured the rest of the soldier’s armor and held his weapons. Truth is the belt of preparation for the believer. Everything we do is held in place when we accept and trust in God’s Word.
- Breastplate of righteousness. A soldier’s breastplate covered the chest and protected the vital organs from arrows. Paul wasn’t referring to our righteousness in Christ, which can never be taken away. Instead, he was referring to living in righteousness (see Eph. 4:24; 5:8-9)—our daily walk with Christ. The way we live protects us against spiritual attacks.
- Feet sandaled with readiness. Roman soldiers were issued quality footwear: studded boots that allowed them to travel great distances and yet stand firmly in the heat of battle. We can stand firm or move forward because of His gospel of peace. Our standing is secure because of what Christ has done for us.
- Shield of faith. A company of soldiers could interlock their shields and form a solid wall as they moved forward. Our shield is comprised of our faith—our trust in the promises and power of God. The enemy can fire his arrows of lies, doubts, accusations, and temptations at us, but our faith in God keeps us from falling prey to such attacks. Which piece of God’s armor most resonates with you? Why?
- Helmet of salvation. A soldier protected his head with a heavy helmet of metal. Our helmet is our hope in Christ, which rests in the future we have in Him. Because of that hope, we refuse to succumb to the standards of this world.
- Sword of the Spirit. The soldier’s sword was short, like a dagger, and used for close combat. Our sword is God’s Word; it’s our only weapon that is both offensive and defensive. We rest in its promises to defend us, and we apply Scripture to specific situations to resist the enemy’s attacks and send him running. (See Matt. 4:1-11.)
What are some real-life situations in which this armor is essential for followers of Christ?
Ephesians 6:18-20
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.
We have one more tool at our disposal as we engage in spiritual battle: prayer. God has supplied us with all we need to stand, but we never stand alone. We need constant communication with the One we serve.
Prayer is more than mere communication with God; it’s our communion with Him. Prayer is taking the promises of God and speaking them back to Him. It’s a continual dependence upon Christ. We are to do this “at all times.” Paul told the Thessalonians that Christians are to “pray constantly” (1 Thess. 5:17). Even as we’re working, playing, and going about our daily routine, we are to be praying.
Why should we pray continually? Because we’re in a battle. Soldiers know they can’t slack off; they must remain vigilant. Paul called us to “stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” We pray continually, ever alert to the attacks of the devil. But we don’t just pray for ourselves; we pray “for all the saints.” We pray for the strength of our fellow believers in this shared battle against evil. We also pray “in the Spirit with every prayer and request.” As we pray for others and ourselves, we include praise, worship, thanksgiving, and confession—in addition to the requests we lay before God.
Notice that Paul made prayer personal. He said, “Pray also for me.” Paul, the great apostle and evangelist, asked others to pray that he “might be bold enough to speak” the gospel. Paul knew any boldness he had came from God, and he was well aware of his need to remain dependent on Him.
We need boldness, too. Fortunately, the same Source that provided Paul’s boldness sustains us, as well. We can move forward in the boldness Christ freely offers. But make no mistake: we cannot be bold for God until we have been bold with God in prayer.
How does prayer contribute to our efforts in spiritual warfare?
LIVE IT OUT
What will you do this week to trust in Christ and rely on what He has provided?
- Pray. Take everything to God in prayer. Everything. Your victories begin with prayer. Make prayer a regular part of your day, knowing you need to continually look to God for strength.
- Stand. If you find you’re susceptible to “the flaming arrows of the evil one”—his lies, doubts, and temptations—use God’s armor. Identify several promises from God’s Word on which you can stand against spiritual attacks.
- Stand together. Meet with someone you trust this week to talk about mutual accountability. Discuss ways to support and encourage each other in the spiritual battles you face.
Don’t lose sight of the fact you’re in a spiritual battle that doesn’t include just you. You have help! You have the support of your friends and family. More importantly, you have the support of God, who empowers you to stand.
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The Bible tells us we are in a war, and our adversary, Satan is bent on destroying us.
The United States has recently been devastated by a second hurricane in less than a month, and there has been varied advice for how to prepare for a storm and mitigate its damage. Some decided to evacuate, while others prepared to stay indoors and secure their homes against damage.
Have any of you ever had to prepare for a natural disaster? What did you do?
There are different approaches to weathering different types of natural disasters, and we can’t be sure of the physical outcome of these attacks.
As we have read over the past several weeks in this study, Satan is also attacking us. The spiritual battle is real. However, there is no question when it comes to how to ready ourselves for this attack, and there is no question as to the outcome.
In this session, we will study the armor of God. We are guaranteed to survive any attack from Satan when we trust in Christ and the protection God provides.
The Point: God equips us for the spiritual battles we face.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-20 that we are to suit up with the armor of God.
I. Spiritual Battle Ephesians 6:10-13
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Do you think we tend to overestimate or underestimate Satan’s influence in the circumstances of our life?
How can we become more active participants in spiritual warfare? What do you think it looks like to be “on your guard”?
- We are engaged in spiritual warfare and a spiritual battle requires spiritual preparation.
- “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might”
- We don’t have to be discouraged by Satan’s devices or by his power.
- We are not in this battle alone. We have access to the greatest power in the universe!
- Last week’s lesson: 1 John 4:4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
The reality of spiritual warfare.
Paul urged his readers to “be strong in the Lord”. We are fighting a supernatural enemy. The devil is both powerful and clever, and we can never defeat him in our own strength. We must fight him with supernatural power. The devil is powerful, but he’s no match for God. God has made His power available to us. Satan cannot take us out of God’s hands (Romans 8:31-39), but he will try to hurt us in other ways. He will try to hurt your testimony by tempting you to sin. He will play on your emotions to discourage you. He will play on your fears to keep you from witnessing for Christ. He will use your friends and family to pressure you. He tempts churches to compromise God’s Word.
Now Paul starts to list the individual elements of this spiritual armor.
II. God Equips Us for Battle Ephesians 6:14-17
14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God.
Satan is real, do not be deceived. As Christians, we must be ready and prepared to fend off Satan’s attacks and stand strong. God has provided the spiritual armor we need, but we are responsible for putting it on. What do these pieces of spiritual armor represent in spiritual warfare?
1. The Belt of Truth: Paul was referring to truthfulness or integrity.
Why do you think the belt of truth must come first in any successful spiritual warfare against the enemy?
A belt was the first piece of equipment put on, and it secures all the other pieces of our armor. Wearing the belt showed that the soldier was ready for action, since he would only loosen his belt when he went off duty. Truth should surround us like a belt. Knowing God’s truth is the surefire antidote to Satan’s lies and deception. And to be truly ready for the battle, we must be completely truthful ourselves in our inner being, like our Creator.
The first element of our armor is truth. This is easy to understand, since Satan is said to be the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Deception is high on the list of things God considers to be an abomination. A “lying tongue” is one of the things He describes as “detestable to Him” (Proverbs 6:16-17). We are therefore exhorted to put on truth for our own sanctification and deliverance, as well as for the benefit of those to whom we witness.
We are to speak the truth against Satan’s lies.
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Righteousness like armor on your chest)
Next, Paul tells us to “put on the breastplate of righteousness.” Without righteousness, we leave ourselves open to Satan’s attacks. To be righteous is first of all to repent and be forgiven of our sins, and then to do what is right in God’s eyes. Psalm 119:172 tells us that God’s commandments are righteousness. So, to be righteous is to obey God’s laws of love.
We have no righteousness of our own (Romans 3:10). Paul was probably talking about practical righteousness that comes from obedience to God. We must know the difference between right and wrong, and choose what is right.
Isaiah 59:17 says that God Himself puts on righteousness as a breastplate! This may be part of what inspired Paul to use this analogy. Isaiah 59 starts by explaining that “your iniquities have separated you from your God” (verse 2). Iniquity is the opposite of righteousness, so when we give in to sin without repenting, we are removing our breastplate and leaving ourselves open to more of Satan’s attacks.
A breastplate shielded a warrior’s vital organs from blows that would otherwise be fatal. This righteousness is not works of righteousness done by men. Rather, this is the righteousness of Christ, imputed by God and received by faith, which guards our hearts against the accusations and charges of Satan and secures our innermost being from his attacks.
We are to rest in the fact that we are declared righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice for us.
3. The Shoes of Peace & Preparation (feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace)
Shoes might not be the most exciting piece of armor, but the Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary highlights their importance: “The military successes both of Alexander the Great and of Julius Caesar were due in large measure to their armies being well shod and thus able to undertake long marches at incredible speed over rough terrain.”
The word “preparation,” denoting readiness, reminds us that we are to be eager to preach the gospel of peace. The Church of God is sent to announce the good news of God’s Kingdom, which will spread His way of peace around the whole world. Having our spiritual shoes on, we will be ready to spread the news to others.
Roman soldiers’ sandals were studded with hobnails. Their combat was hand-to-hand, so it was important to have a firm footing. The word “preparation” suggests readiness. We must always be ready to share the gospel (1 Peter 3:15).
Verse 15 speaks of the preparation of the feet for spiritual conflict. In warfare, sometimes some enemy places dangerous obstacles in the path of advancing soldiers. The idea of the preparation of the gospel of peace as footwear suggests what we need to advance into Satan's territory, aware that there will be traps, with the message of grace so essential to winning souls to Christ. Satan has many obstacles placed in the path to halt the propagation of the gospel.
We are to proclaim the gospel no matter how much resistance we receive.
4. The Shield of Faith
A soldier’s shield protected areas that the armor did not cover. The “fiery darts of the wicked” include such things as fear, doubt, discouragement, troublesome circumstances, etc. Faith enables us to stand up to these things.
When our faith in God’s power and love is strong, it is impossible for Satan to break through our shield and land a blow. Faith means more than just believing that God exists, of course. It includes a firm belief that everything God does is truly for our good. Also, faith is the absolute conviction that God will always do what He has promised (Romans 4:18-21).
Faith protects us in many ways. Think about Daniel in the lion’s den. Faith was like a force field to protect Daniel from those vicious teeth! And Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were protected from the fiery furnace! Faith is powerful and protects us not only from those physical dangers, but from the spiritual temptations and dangers.
The shield of faith is not just for personal protection. The Roman soldiers had a strategy of joining their shields together. If we join our shields—that is, strengthen each other with our faith, building up and serving as we are able—we will be able to take on any challenge.
The shield of faith spoken of in verse 16 makes Satan's sowing of doubt about the faithfulness of God and His Word ineffective. Our faith—of which Christ is “the author and perfecter” (Hebrews 12:2)— is like a golden shield, precious, solid, and substantial.
We are not to waver in our faith, no matter how fiercely we are attacked.
5. The Helmet of Salvation
We can receive tremendous hope and comfort by focusing on the incredible sacrifice Jesus Christ gave to save us and the wonderful Kingdom that is the goal of our salvation. This hope protects our minds from the discouragement and despair in this world.
Knowing that we belong to Christ gives us the courage to face the devil and his schemes (Romans 8:31). The devil may take away our property, our loved ones, and even our lives, but he cannot take away our eternal home in heaven.
The helmet of salvation in verse 17 is protection for the head, keeping viable a critical part of the body. We could say that our way of thinking needs preservation. The head is the seat of the mind, which, when it has laid hold of the sure gospel hope of eternal life, will not receive false doctrine or give way to Satan’s temptations. The unsaved person has no hope of warding off the blows of false doctrine because he is without the helmet of salvation and his mind is incapable of discerning between spiritual truth and spiritual deception.
Our ultimate defense is the assurance we have of our salvation, an assurance that no spiritual force can take away.
6. The Sword of the Spirit
Just as a Roman soldier needed his sword in battle, a believer needs the Word of God in spiritual warfare. It is powerful (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus resisted the devil with Scripture. The devil tries his best to discredit God’s Word. When churches think God’s Word is defective, they will eventually cast it aside. When churches abandon God’s Word, they are powerless to resist the devil.
The sword of the Spirit, like the Roman gladius, can also help us to conquer all our enemies, including that most difficult one, our entrenched human weaknesses.
Verse 17 interprets itself as to the meaning of the sword of the Spirit—it is the Word of God. While all the other pieces of spiritual armor are defensive in nature, the sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God. It speaks of the holiness and power of the Word of God. A greater spiritual weapon is not conceivable. In Jesus' temptations in the desert, the Word of God was always His overpowering response to Satan. What a blessing that the same Word is available to us!
Our offensive weapon is the Word of God, not our own opinions and feelings.
Which part of the armor do we typically overlook?
What passages of scripture do you recall most frequently when you are in the middle of a battle?
III. God Equips for Battle through Prayer Ephesians 6:18-20
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.
Why is prayer such a key ingredient in the spiritual battle?
Our spiritual armor is useless without prayer. We must pray consistently. Paul was talking about a genuine, earnest seeking of God. We must pray “in the Spirit”. This does not mean we fall into some kind of trance, but we pray with the assistance and power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27). We must pray persistently. Even Paul needed prayer (vv. 19-20). Our God honors persistence (Luke 18:1-8). The devil knows the power of prayer. He will distract you by crowding your schedule. He will try to tell you that prayer does not work.
Prayer is an essential element in our resistance of the devil and our engagement in spiritual warfare. The life of the believer is to be marked by constant, Spirit-led prayer. We need to pray that those who preach and teach would have a clear message centered in the gospel of Christ.
Not only leaders, but all of us, may face life situations for which we need boldness that comes only from being dependent on the Lord.
Finally, we are to follow Jesus’ example in recognizing that some spiritual victories are only possible through prayer.
The Power of Prayer
In verse 18, we are told to pray in the Spirit (that is, with the mind of Christ, with His heart and His priorities) in addition to wearing the full armor of God. We cannot neglect prayer, as it is the means by which we draw spiritual strength from God. Without prayer, without reliance upon God, our efforts at spiritual warfare are empty and futile. The full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—are the tools God has given us, through which we can be spiritually victorious, overcoming Satan’s attacks and temptations.
Paul ends this section encouraging us to pray fervently for ourselves, for each other and for the work of the Church.
- The Church, and each of us individually, moves forward on our knees.
- Praying reminds us of the battle, reminds us of the source of our strength and defense, and reminds God that we are fully committed to following Him as obedient and faithful soldiers.
- Prayer and Bible study are the most powerful tools for combating Satan’s weapons.
When we put on this whole armor of God, we will be prepared for Satan’s attempts to attack us with pride, envy, lust for forbidden pleasures, itching ears, disappointment, discouragement, doubt or division—or any other tricks he may use. Remember, we’re at war. Let’s be alert to Satan’s devices, and let’s put on the whole armor of God!
Conclusion: One of the greatest battles of World War II was the famous Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. The 101st Airborne Division was holding the Belgian town of Bastogne, and the Nazis had surrounded them. The German commander sent a surrender demand to the commander of the 101st, General Anthony McAuliffe, and told him the situation was hopeless. He said the division would be destroyed if it did not surrender. General McAuliffe sent back a very terse reply: “Nuts!” General George Patton was on his way to Bastogne with his Third Army to relieve the 101st, and when he heard what Gen. McAuliffe had done, he ordered his troops to step up their efforts. He said, “A man that eloquent deserves to be relieved (rescued).”
We Christians are fighting a different kind of war – a spiritual war. Sometimes the battle gets long and tiring, and we’re tempted to give up. However, surrender is not an option. Let us keep on standing strong on the power of God, using the weapons He has provided. Let us devote ourselves to prayer, seeking His guidance and His power.
When we fight the battle God’s way, with His weapons, and in His strength, who knows what He will do among us?
The ultimate example of how not to engage in spiritual warfare is the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish priest, who went around driving out evil spirits by trying to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. One day the evil spirit answered them, “‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding” (Acts 19:13-16). The seven sons of Sceva were using Jesus’ name, but because they did not have a relationship with Jesus, their words were void of any power or authority. They were not relying on Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and they were not employing the Word of God in their spiritual warfare. As a result, they received a humiliating beating. May we learn from their bad example and conduct spiritual warfare as the Bible instructs.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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