Engaging in Spiritual Battles

I had a long conversation over the phone one morning last week with a friend who told me that she felt like she was in a spiritual battle. Things just weren’t going well at home and she told me that she needed help.

Together we read Ephesians 6:10-18 where the apostle Paul listed the different pieces of spiritual “armor” that we are given when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Paul described a soldier, possibly one in the Roman army, who would have been equipped from head to toe and well armed for battle.

In Paul’s day, Roman soldiers wore helmets, breastplates, wide leather belts and sturdy boots and carried shields and swords. They were a formidable force, conquering portions of Europe, Asia, Africa and  much of the Middle East.

Just as a new recruit in the military is issued his/her uniform and all of the necessary equipment, so God equips us for the journey ahead knowing that there will be spiritual battles to fight and win.

The helmet is one of salvation, which comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Without taking the first step of surrendering our lives to Christ, we are lost, separated from God and facing the prospect of spending eternity alone, forever separated from Him. With the helmet of salvation comes the assurance and promise that nothing will ever be able to separate us from His great love. 

The breastplate of righteousness comes with daily confession of sin, surrendering our lives to God and asking Him to change us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ died for our sins; our righteousness comes by identifying with his death and resurrection.

The belt of truth is given to help us stand firm, on solid ground, believing and knowing the truth, living the truth, speaking the truth. We need that today!

We are called to march forward with our feet “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” God has called us to go out into the world, telling others about the great love that He has for them and helping them to make peace with Him.

Our protection also comes from a special shield, the shield of faith which is complete trust and reliance upon God. The darts and blows from Satan are ineffective when we are standing firm upon God’s promises and His Word.

The Bible, God’s Word is to be our sword. Just as Jesus used the scriptures repeatedly during his three year period of ministry, so we are to use it in our everyday lives by putting it into action. Without knowing what the Bible says, we are defenseless.

Finally, our main line of communication with God is through prayer. We are to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests.” God promises to draw near to those who seek Him, to answer the prayers of those who come to Him in Jesus’ name and to direct us day by day in our walk with Him. 

The armor, shield and sword and open communication are all vital. Nothing can be forgotten or that will be the area in which the enemy makes his attack.  So dear friends, take advantage of these things which God has provided for you in your walk with Him. Remember you are not alone in this battle! May you march forward in victory!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10 NIV

(Revised from an article published in the Porterville Recorder on 6-8-13, in my "Good News!" column)