What Should I Know About Spiritual Warfare?

One of the most destructive strategies that the fallen angel known as Satan has accomplished is this: convincing people that he and his demons don’t exist. As if the very idea of the devil is a superstitious holdover from the medieval era.

But they do exist, and yes, they’re out to get you.

They’re out to get all of us, because they hate God and are fighting an invisible war against Him—one we’re part of as children of God.

There’s an immaterial world behind our visible, material world. There’s a real reality behind what we see and know. In that invisible realm, the bad guys are out to “steal, kill, and destroy” the church, the entire world, and you.

Remember what the apostle Paul wrote:

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. (Ephesians 6:12 NASB)

The good news is God gives us wisdom, guidance, practical weapons and armor to equip us for the battle, so that we can “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

In his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul writes a vivid description of the spiritual battle weaponry that God has provided. He says to “put on the armor of God,” designed to help us “stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-17).

What a powerful passage! I strongly advise every Christian—new or experienced, young and old—to read, reread, meditate on, memorize, and pray over these verses! Put on the armor daily.

Many of us have no idea how much of our daily life is influenced by the subtle deception and lies of our adversary. God calls us to prepare ourselves and one another for the cosmic conflict with resolute faith and obedience. Ask God to equip to do spiritual battle with the enemy of our souls, so that you can stand firm in victory!

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NASB)

Yes, there is an invisible war raging around us. But remember what James wrote: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

For more resources designed to help you put on the armor daily for spiritual battle, visit our Invisible War series resources.