A Spiritual Battle
Ephesians 6:10-17 reminds us that our daily struggles are not battles of the flesh, but rather battles fought in the spirit. Every day, we face spiritual warfare through conversations with others, while driving, and even as we watch social media. That’s why it’s so important to put on the full armor of God, allowing His protection and power to guard our hearts and minds against every spiritual attack.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” Ephesians 6:11
Why Spiritual Warfare happens
Spiritual warfare doesn’t only occur when we’re living in disobedience to God, it can also happen when we’ve just begun our walk with Him. I used to believe attacks only came when I was doing something wrong, but I learned otherwise early in my faith journey. Shortly after being baptized, I had a powerful dream. I was in my childhood home when my grandmother suddenly turned into a demon. Being so new in my relationship with God, I didn’t yet know how to stand firm in spiritual warfare, so in my dream, I cowered in fear. That’s when God revealed His power and authority. I heard a voice like thunder shake the entire house, a reminder of His strength. In that moment, the Lord began showing me the authority He’s also given me through Him.
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19
When Obedience Invites Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare can happen when you are being honorable and obedient to the Lord. We have an enemy who comes to kill, steal, and destroy because we are made in the image of God. When you begin truly walking in the likeness of God, Satan becomes threatened. I no longer see him as a big, powerful spirit, but as one who actually fears me because, through Christ, I carry spiritual authority.
The last thing the enemy wants is for us to recognize and agree with who God created us to be from the very beginning. Just as he deceived Eve into believing she was nothing like God and needed to become like Him, he still uses that same tactic today. His goal is to cripple us with fear when making decisions, burden us with anxiety so we can’t rejoice in the Lord, and constantly remind us of who we were before God renewed and redeemed us.
The Armor of God: The belt of Truth
This is why it’s so important to know how to use the full armor of God. It begins with the belt of truth because truth exposes the lies Satan tries to plant in our minds. The truth strengthens our spirit and reminds us who God says we are. He calls us a royal priesthood, His prized possession, and a holy nation. Most of all, He calls us His sons and daughters.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Then we have the breastplate of righteousness, and Pastor Jerry Flowers explained this so well. The breastplate protects our vital organs, our heart, and our conscience from spiritual attacks. The enemy is an accuser who will say anything to make you believe that God doesn’t love you, that you’re better off without Him, or that you’re not truly saved. When we cover our hearts with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we stand firm in the truth that our sins have been justified through His sacrifice.
Walking in the Peace of God
Being in relationship with God allows us to walk in peace during the trials we face. “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” — Psalm 119:50. The enemy doesn’t want us to experience the peace God promises in the midst of suffering. Yet Romans 5:3 reminds us that our suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. We can rejoice knowing that even when we’re under attack, God is using the trial to build us up.
There are countless stories in the Bible where God’s people faced great challenges, but in the middle of their trials, God was strengthening their faith. Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers, yet he became second in command of Egypt and saved many lives during a famine. David was hunted by Saul and even had to live among the Philistines for a time, but he was later crowned King of Israel. Daniel was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and brought to Babylon with his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, yet through prayer and fasting, he saw God move powerfully on behalf of Israel.
In every one of these stories, God’s people rested in the confidence of His promises, knowing that He was with them through every season of testing.
The Shield of Faith
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
We protect our hearts and minds from doubt, worry, and uncertainty through faith in God. When we meditate on His word, on who He says we are, His sovereignty, and His mercy, we actively fight back against the enemy’s lies.
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus reminds us of the power of faith: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Even the smallest amount of faith can move mountains because our strength doesn’t come from ourselves, it comes from the Lord who is faithful to His promises.
The Helmet of Salvation
The helmet of salvation protects our minds. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16.
A helmet goes on our head, right? So we must guard and equip our minds with the truth that we are saved, sanctified, and justified in Christ. No matter what is happening in the flesh or in this present moment, we have eternal hope through Jesus. God has promised us eternal life, resurrected bodies, and an eternity free from suffering in the Kingdom to come.
The Sword of the Spirit
The battle becomes much easier when we understand that Satan’s power is limited. He is not the Creator of anything. When we remember the word of God, who He says we are, the promises He’s given us, the future He’s prepared for us, and the fate awaiting the enemy, we become fully equipped to stand firm in spiritual warfare and overcome every attack that comes our way.
The truth is, the battle before you is already won. “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” — Revelation 20:10
Satan has already been defeated, and it’s up to us to walk confidently in that truth, trusting in the victory we have in Christ. We are not fighting for victory, we’re fighting from victory. So, let’s put on the full armor of God and stand firm in faith no matter what comes our way.
I didn’t always know how to fight back spiritually. For a long time, I lived in cycles of sin, confusion, and shame, trying to fix things with my own strength. When I truly began to understand the armor of God and who I am in Christ, everything changed. God didn’t just free me from the grip of my past; He showed me my purpose through it. If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you were and who God is calling you to be, I invite you to read my story: From Sin to Freedom — Discover God’s Purpose Through Surrender.
Let’s fight back!!
Love you, my sisters and brothers in Christ.
— Angelica
