Part 3 – The Real Enemy

Series: Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:12-13 – 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Paul makes it very clear, we are in spiritual battle and it is not against flesh and blood. 

Often as Christians, we forget that our warfare is spiritual and end up putting all our efforts fighting against people. We do not war against the flesh, nor are our weapons of warfare, carnal (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). We fight against various spiritual forces; whose one goal is to knock the Christian down from their place of standing. Principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age are collectively members of spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places, under the headship of Satan, who comes against us. Our victory however is rooted in what Jesus did (Colossians 2:13-15). Our doing is to be based on the appropriation and application of what Jesus did. 

So, what is our proper response to the fact of spiritual warfare? God has given His people a call, mission, a course to fulfill. The devil will do everything in his power to hinder this. We are called to stand. Without God’s strength and the protection of spiritual armor, it is impossible to stand against the attacks of spiritual enemies. 

When the devil attacks and intimidates, we are to stand. The word stand strongly suggests that we are going to be attacked, spiritual warfare is real. We are not to be frightened or droop or slouch, or be uncertain or half-hearted in the fight. There is no room for self-pity. We are to be at our position and alert, not even giving room for the thought of retreat. We are to stand. 

As Christians God gives us a glorious standing to maintain by faith and spiritual warfare. We stand in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1), we stand in faith (2 Corinthians 1:24) and we stand in the Lord (Philippians 4:1). We stand in Christian liberty (Galatians 5:1) and unity (Philippians 1:27). We stand in grace (Romans 5:2), We are called to stand perfect and complete in the will of God (Colossians 4:12). 

Are you standing firm in battle today or are your shoulders drooping, in fear or self-pity? Remember, we have been given all that we need to stand against the darts of the evil one, but we need to make the choice, to put on our God-given spiritual armor, and to stand. 

Lord help me stand firm in your grace and strength, to do your perfect and complete will, I pray.