The Final Fight

Journal #10

            Ephesians 6:10-12 says: “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.”

Ephesians six has long been one of my favorite passages of scripture, because it always comes to mind when I need it most. Spiritual warfare is real, and it is a constant challenge in my walk with Christ. Particularly, I feel the effects of spiritual warfare when I am entering a period of spiritual growth. Satan hates to see God win, and he will fight the hardest whenever it seems that he is losing a foothold in my life. He will come from every angle—spiritual, physical, and emotional—to try to destroy, and I cannot resist him on my own. I get frustrated, confused, and distressed, and two questions always come to mind: Why is spiritual warfare so difficult, and how do I win? Pointing to the Savior and His strength in the spiritual realm, Ephesians chapter six answers both of these questions.

First, verse 12 provides insight into the difficulty of the battle. The reason that spiritual struggles seem impossible to overcome is that we are fighting beings against whom we have no human defense against. They are “the rulers…authorities…the world powers of this darkness…the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” (Verse 12). We men may know how to handle the local bully, a rival business, or a hostile government, but we cannot fight these evil spiritual beings because we do not even really know what they are. Without the help of a stronger Spiritual Being, we will fall every time. Also, spiritual struggles are not on our battlefield. While the effects of spiritual warfare can be seen on earth, it is truly being played out “in the heavens,” which is a place we cannot see or understand. Once again, our only hope is in the Lord, who is perpetually present and authoritative in the heavens.

If the battle is against beings we cannot fight and on a plain we cannot access, then how can we hope to gain the victory? The answer is provided in verse 10: “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.” Our victory will come from God’s might, not our own. Too often I think I know the best plan of attack or defense, and I commit to carry it out without surrendering to the One who is the master strategist. However, by having faith in Christ and cultivating my relationship with Him, I will have victory in His strength. Further, we have been charged to be prepared. God will provide the strength, so we are expected to turn every area of our lives over to Him, taking time to “Put on the full armor of God” (Verse 11). Quiet time and striving to be Christ-like will prepare us for the battle by ensuring that we are protected from every area of assault, as explained in verses 14-17. We cannot be prepared just with a belt of truth, for we also need a helmet of salvation, breast-plate of righteousness, sandals of readiness, a shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, all of which come from God. Finally, to gain the victory we must “Stand” (Verse 14). To stand takes courage, and to stand takes strength. We cannot win by giving in and running away from evil, because then our backs are turned and we are defenseless. Instead, we are to have hope in the Lord, take the strength He offers, face evil, and fight with all of our might. Like a boxer in the final round, we may be exhausted and wounded, but the victory will one day be ours. Just as He already defeated death and Hell, Christ will inevitably defeat evil once and for all. When that happens, those who follow Him will follow Him to victory.