Spiritual Warfare

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shot YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pay at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. ~ Ephesians 6:10-20

Each and everyday we must be ready to resist the devils schemes. Paul is describing in this last chapter of Ephesians the spiritual warfare that we, as Christians, will have to confront. This chapter describes what we should do to win these battles.

As we start our day, we should start it knowing that our fight is truly not against flesh and blood but against the devil himself. If we stand firm in Jesus Christ and His truth, His Word - we are sure to have victories in our lives (even if we struggle and get hurt in battle).

"The believer's continual trust in God's word and promise is "in addition to all" necessary to protect him from temptations to every sort of sin. All sin comes when victim falls to Satan's lies and promises of pleasure, rejecting the better choice of obedience and blessing." excerpt from The MacArthur Study Bible