Fighting the Spiritual War
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.
Ephesians 6:12
Our enemy is Satan, and we fight with the power of Christ, because Christ has total authority over Satan. Therefore, Satan attacks people to keep us away from God, through his lies and deceptions. The fight is between the spiritual guidance we receive from the Lord through the Holy Spirit, and our sinful desires from Satan through our flesh. Can we say that we are fighting the good fight, or are the desires from Satan winning the fight?
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). If we obey the Word of God, we will become a light for Christ. We live to bring people to Christ, and the desire to help others will keep us serving Christ, because without Christ we can do nothing. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
We fight the good fight with the help of our Christian family. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). It’s critical that we rely on our Christian brothers and sisters to keep us close to Christ. Our Christian family is essential because we help each other through encouragement, and we may team with our brother or sister to bring people to Christ.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). If you are doing something good then you cannot be doing something evil; therefore, when tempted we can escape instantly by doing good. When tempted we can speak scriptures, pray for someone, read the Word, or call a Christian friend. Pray in advance for God’s strength to kill the sinful desire and when the temptation occurs, the Lord will may Satan flee. Always have a plan to overcome Satan’s attack.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Knowing that the Lord will never let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, tells us there is always a way of escape. Pray for an escape and plan your strategy so that you will be ready with the power of God whenever Satan attacks. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20). Satan and his demons are no match for the power of Christ in us.
We fight the good fight when Satan tempts us through our fleshly desires, which means that we are focused on self. If we spend time thinking about ourselves, we are opening our minds to Satan’s temptations. The more we focus on God and others, the more we avoid Satan’s temptations.
Today know that you have victory in Christ over any attack Satan can make. Know your battle plan and when the attack occurs, call on the Lord for his power and strength.
Payer: Lord, help me fight this spiritual war, and I put my faith in living in victory over Satan’s temptations. In Jesus name, Amen