For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.   2 Cor. 10:3-4 

Jesus modeled a prayer for us and near the end of it He asked the Father to deliver us from evil. (Mt. 6:13)  One translation reads: “and deliver us from the evil one.”  I believe when Jesus said those words it demonstrated that He did not intend for us to wait until an attack of the enemy comes our way, but to pray over our lives in advance.  

For centuries any well-organized army studied the strategy of their enemies. That’s how we must be with the spiritual battle going on all about us.  We must consider that we need to have a strategy to fight the devil effectively.  God is on our side and is out to defend us, but He has also given us the tools and armor for a successful battle. 

We must keep in mind that the enemy of our souls is out to steal, kill and destroy us.  (John 10:10)  With him there is no respecter of persons.  Whether we choose to think about it or not, that sly one is out to destroy every Christian he can, including our families.  If he had his way about it, he would crush us under his feet, but the fact is, Satan is a defeated foe.

Romans 16:20 tells us that the God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet.  We also can see from the Word that Satan will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone forever and ever! (Rev. 20:10) The victory was won at Calvary when Jesus died for us and now we see that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  (Rom. 8:37)  If we’re told that we’re more than conquerors, then that means we’re warriors.    

Some time ago I had a dream and knew later that it must have been from the Lord.  In my dream, I was sitting in the middle of many 18-wheeler trucks as they sat empty and still in a parking area.  As I sat on the steps of one of the trucks, I could see underneath one of the other trailers and saw the legs of a large lion walking slowly as if stalking and seeking prey.  I couldn’t see its head, but only its strong legs walking ever so slowly.  When I woke up, I immediately knew what the dream meant.  I sensed that the Lord wanted to show me that I needed to be aware that the devil was like a hungry lion, seeking someone to devour. Maybe that prey was me and I was being warned!  You and I cannot be caught unaware or sleeping because the enemy is out to destroy us. 

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  1 Pet. 5:8

Many Christians are known as peace loving and it makes it difficult to think about being a warrior or being in a battle.  But why else would we be told to put on the full armor of God if we were not intended to be prepared for battle?  Scripture tells us:

Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Eph. 6:11

Reading in the next verse we can see that there’s a spiritual battle going on in the heavenlies:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Eph. 6:12

And the armor we are to wear is spiritual, as well:

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  Eph. 6:13-17 (NJVJ)

Notice how every piece of armor goes in front and our back gets nothing and goes uncovered! There may be some great significance as to why all of the armor goes in front.  As with any other warrior, we’re protected as we march forward with great faith.  That means that we’re to never turn around and run scared because our back will be unprotected.  We’re to march forward to victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Cor. 15:57)

We must stand for God and stand strong; in spite of the flaming arrows the enemy sends our way. Have you ever noticed that sometimes the flames of those arrows can get pretty hot as they fly past?  I have!  But we must keep the shield of faith up at all times.  Never put that shield down for a second and never be caught sleeping while the battle is raging.    

Our God gives us armor to cover and protect us, but we also should know that the battle is the Lord’s and He will come to help us make it through.  (1 Sam. 17:47)  The Lord knows that we’re going to have troubles because we see that written in His Word.  (Jn. 16:33)   But He also comes to help and deliver us when we cry out for help.  (Ps. 71:12)  Our Lord always causes us to triumph in Him!  (2 Cor. 2:14)

Another effective tool for us to use is to resist the devil and he will flee from you.  (James 4:7) All of us are tempted to do things that we know are wrong or have thoughts we know we are not to think, but when we refuse to go along with what the enemy is suggesting, he has to go!  Sometimes we just have to openly say, “Devil, I resist you and you must flee from me.”  Quoting God’s Word to the enemy has to send him on his way because the Word is sharper than any two-edged sword.  (Heb. 4:12) 

The battle may be difficult, but with our armor in place and the Word in our hand, we will overcome. God does not leave us unprotected and unguarded because He said He would never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5) Just knowing we don’t have to fight alone and that we have God’s promise for deliverance, we will walk forward with great faith.  Be blessed as you walk in victory this day! 
  

Prayer:

Father, thank You for your Word and how it will helps us in every situation.  Thank You that we have You to help us make it through every attack of the enemy because our armor protects us as we walk forward by faith.  We don’t have to live in fear and run scared because You are with us.  Help us Lord to always trust in You for great victory in our lives.  Help us never to lean to our own understanding but in all of our ways You will direct and teach us.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.