Our Enemy Is Not Flesh And Blood - How To Wear God's Armor

Introduction

Brothers and sisters, today we come together to reflect on one of the most important lessons we can learn in our walk of faith: understanding who our real enemy is and how to stand strong in the battle.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reminds us that our enemy is not flesh and blood, but spiritual powers of darkness. He instructs us to put on the full armor of God so that we may stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Today, we will explore two key truths:

1. Our enemy is not of this world but of the spiritual realm.

2. We are called to equip ourselves with God's armor to resist and overcome this enemy.

Our Enemy is Not Flesh and Blood

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV): “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Paul tells us plainly that our fight is not against other people. It’s important that we grasp this truth because, in the heat of life's struggles, we often forget it.

We become entangled in conflicts with our fellow human beings—family members, co-workers, or even strangers—and mistakenly see them as the enemy.

But the Word of God reminds us that our true adversaries are spiritual forces of evil.

These forces are the rulers of darkness, demonic entities that wage war against God's people. They are the ones that stir up division, hatred, and strife in the world.

When we view people as the enemy, we are fighting the wrong battle.

Satan's strategy is to deceive us, distract us, and make us think that the real battle is between us and others, but this is a lie.

The devil works in subtle ways, sowing seeds of discord, fear, and temptation in our hearts and minds.

We must remember that behind every conflict, there is a spiritual dimension that we cannot see with our natural eyes.

That's why prayer and discernment are essential. If we are to fight the right battle, we need to see beyond the physical and into the spiritual.

Consider the conflicts that you face in your own life. Maybe it's an argument with a spouse or a disagreement with a colleague. Ask yourself: Am I focusing on the person or the spirit behind the situation?

It's not that person who is the enemy—it is the unseen spiritual forces that seek to tear us apart.

The Spiritual Battle: A Reality for Every Believer

Every believer is engaged in spiritual warfare, whether we realize it or not. The Bible makes it clear that this battle is constant and ongoing.

We live in a fallen world, surrounded by sin and evil, and the devil seeks to destroy our faith, our families, and our witness for Christ.

One of the enemy's tactics is to instill fear in us. He wants us to feel overwhelmed by the darkness that surrounds us, to give in to doubt, despair, and anxiety.

But fear is not from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

So, what should our response be to this reality of spiritual warfare?

We are not to be passive or complacent. Instead, we are called to stand firm, and to do so, we must put on the armor that God has provided for us.

Putting on God's Armor

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-11: “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.”

Paul uses the imagery of armor to describe the spiritual tools and defenses that God has given us to stand against the devil. Let's break down each piece of this divine armor:

1. The Belt of Truth

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist...” (Ephesians 6:14)

Truth is foundational to our spiritual life.

The belt of truth holds everything together. In a world full of lies and deception, we must cling to the truth of God's Word. Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

It is the truth of who God is, and who we are in Christ, that enables us to stand firm in the face of the enemy's lies.

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness

“...with the breastplate of righteousness in place...” (Ephesians 6:14)

The breastplate protects the heart, the most vital organ. Righteousness, in the spiritual sense, is our protection against the accusations and attacks of the enemy. It is not our own; it is the righteousness of Christ imputed to us through faith.