Know Your EnemySample

DAY FIVE

Our Battle Plan

“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 of 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. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:13-18 NIV

I know you have read the verse above a thousand times, but it truly is the most comprehensive list of the spiritual weapons available to us. I hope that, perhaps, now that you understand your enemy a little more, you might take this passage more seriously.  Don’t wait until it’s too late to use your weapons.  And remember, this enemy of ours is a powerful spiritual being. It says in Jude 9 NIV:

“But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!'” 

As Paul instructs in Ephesians, Satan is spiritual so the battle is spiritual, and we must fight spiritual battles with spiritual weapons. I have written entire devotionals just on this passage in Ephesians on the armor of God, for it is rich with insight. I can tell you that in moments of feeling under spiritual attack, I have prayed this scripture, and immediately I felt a strength to resist the devil (like it describes in James 4:7) and he did seem to flee. I encourage you to study this passage, journal about it, meditate on it and use it to protect yourself.

More than that, I want to say to abide in Christ. Jesus Christ our Lord is way more powerful than the devil. 

“God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NIV 

Stay at his feet, like the sheep that stays close to the shepherd, and He will protect you. Worship Him, praise Him, receive Him, walk with Him, trust Him. If a lie, an accusation, a temptation or something destructive has come into your life, know that the Father permitted it and that Jesus is right there with you in the midst of it. The One Who can calm the storm is in the boat with you!

Satan knows that his time on earth is short and we know something even better. He has already been defeated. When Jesus Christ became obedient to death, death on that cross, the Word says: “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” John 12:31 NIV And as our precious Lord breathed His last breath on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” John 19:30 NIV

We need to understand that the spiritual battle exists, but we need not fear. We serve One greater than our enemy. Abide (remain) with Christ and let Him ready you for the battle.