Go! And Stand Firm: Engaging In Spiritual Warfare Series

Go! And Stand Firm: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

Introduction

Today, we embark on an essential and powerful journey into the topic of spiritual warfare. We live in a world where physical battles dominate the headlines, but as believers, we know there is a greater, unseen battle raging around us—the battle for our souls and the advancement of God’s Kingdom.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12: "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (NLT)

The question we must ask is this: How do we fight this spiritual battle? Today, we will unpack three crucial truths about spiritual warfare:

Recognise the enemy and his tactics.

Rely on God’s power and armour.

Resist the enemy with faith and prayer.

Let’s allow God’s Word to prepare us to stand firm and victorious in the face of spiritual opposition.

1. Recognise the Enemy and His Tactics

1 Peter 5:8-9 "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are." (NLT)

Peter warns believers to stay vigilant because the devil, our adversary, actively seeks to destroy. The Greek word for "devil" is diabolos, meaning "slanderer" or "accuser." His goal is to deceive, divide, and devour. The metaphor of a "roaring lion" paints a vivid picture of his aggression and persistence.

To stand against the devil, we must first recognise his tactics. In Genesis 3:1-5, Satan used deception to tempt Eve, distorting God’s Word and appealing to pride. Similarly, in Matthew 4:1-11, he tempted Jesus by twisting Scripture and offering shortcuts to glory. His strategies have not changed: he targets our weaknesses, distorts God’s truth, and fosters doubt.

But the Bible calls us to resist him by standing firm in faith. James 4:7 promises: "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This resistance requires spiritual alertness and dependence on God.

Picture a soldier on guard duty. He cannot afford to sleep or be distracted because the enemy’s attack could come at any moment. Likewise, we must remain spiritually alert, ready to identify and counter the enemy’s moves.

Pastor Tony Evans reminds us, "Victory in spiritual warfare is not about incantations or rituals; it’s about embracing and using the authority God has given us in Christ."

2. Rely on God’s Power and Armour

Ephesians 6:10-11 "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." (NLT)

Paul encourages the church in Ephesus to rely on God’s strength, not their own. The phrase "mighty power" translates from the Greek kratos, signifying dominion or sovereign strength. The "armour of God" represents the spiritual resources He provides to protect and empower us in the fight against evil.

Each piece of God’s armour serves a purpose. Ephesians 6:14-17 describes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. These are not physical tools but divine resources:

Truth grounds us in God’s Word, countering the lies of the enemy.

Righteousness shields us from guilt and condemnation.

Faith extinguishes the fiery arrows of doubt and fear.

Salvation secures our identity in Christ.

The Word serves as our offensive weapon against deception.

Isaiah 54:17 assures us: "But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you." As we rely on God’s power and put on His armour, we are equipped to stand firm.

Consider a firefighter suiting up before entering a burning building. Without the protective gear, he would be overwhelmed by the flames. Similarly, we must "suit up" daily with God’s armour to face spiritual challenges.

Pastor Charles Stanley writes, "We can’t fight spiritual battles with physical weapons. We must use the tools God provides through His Spirit."

3. Resist the Enemy with Faith and Prayer

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 "We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments." (NLT)

Paul highlights that our battle is spiritual, not physical. The "mighty weapons" refer to God’s provision—prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. The term "strongholds" (ochuroma) in Greek refers to fortified areas, symbolising deeply rooted lies, sin patterns, or opposition to God.

Prayer is our most powerful weapon. Ephesians 6:18 instructs us: "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." Persistent, Spirit-led prayer aligns us with God’s will and unleashes His power in our lives.