The devil and spiritual warfare
Ultimately, the devil has already been defeated by what Jesus did when He died on a cross. Jesus’s resurrection from the dead demonstrates that He won the victory over death. But the devil wants to blind people to the truth of what Jesus has done.
The devil’s attempts to send us off course in our relationship with God go right back to the beginning of the human story. He was the author of the first temptation humankind faced.
The temptation of Adam and Eve, which we read about in Genesis 3, provides a clear picture of what you can expect from the devil:
He is more crafty than any wild animal.
He comes alongside you pretending to be an ally.
He deceives you by trying to bend the truth God speaks to you.
He tries to plant doubts in your mind about the things God has said.
He wants you to think God is restricting you when in reality He is protecting you.
He encourages you to rebel against God by telling you that you deserve to be the ultimate authority of Your life.
He uses your pride and your sense of shame to turn you against others.
Be mindful that our enemy, the devil, is real. He is single-minded and dangerous, so be wise in how you conduct your warfare with him. If you follow Jesus, God has given you incredible resources by placing the Holy Spirit within you, but you need to resist letting your pride tempt you to try to fight the enemy on your own.
Prayer tip:
If you feel under attack from the devil in some way, bring that to God in prayer. Thank Him for the protection only He can give and let Him fight on your behalf.
Fighting Spiritual Battles the Jesus Way
Throughout His life on earth, Jesus faced spiritual warfare in many forms. He was tested by the devil during His 40 days in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). He was provoked, falsely accused and verbally abused by people who did not like what He was saying. And it’s important to remember that Jesus was a man — fully human — so He faced all the temptations any other man would face.
But He never lost any of His spiritual battles. Even His wrongful conviction and execution on the cross, which looked like bitter defeat, were ultimately His greatest victory. So what examples does Jesus give us about using prayer in spiritual warfare?
Jesus created space to be alone with God
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
(Luke 5:16, NIV)
Many times in the Gospels, Jesus withdrew from situations we can interpret as scenes of spiritual warfare. One example is when Jesus heard the news that His cousin, John the Baptist, had been killed by Herod. It never says that He retreated from His enemy. Instead, He withdrew from a particular place.
There is nothing wrong with praying in a coffee shop or while walking in a public place. But it’s important to take regular time alone with God, preferably as free from distractions as possible.
Jesus wanted to give God His full attention and spend time with His heavenly Father. If even Jesus needed to withdraw from crowds and His friends to be alone with God — and Jesus is God — how much more do His followers need to do the same?
Taking time alone with God reminds us that He is ready and waiting to spend time alone with us, healing our wounds and renewing our strength.
Watch this video to learn more about praying with your Bible and a journal.
Jesus combined prayer with fasting
Fasting can help raise your awareness of your need to depend on God. The Bible teaches that fasting can enhance your ability to hear from God as you prioritize Him above your physical needs.
It’s worth noting that Jesus was fasting during His forty days in the wilderness. This was immediately before Jesus began His public ministry. The devil must have felt threatened by what Jesus was doing given the efforts He went to trying to distract Jesus from His mission. Jesus saw fasting as a weapon of spiritual warfare.
Fasting is something that needs to be undertaken wisely given the physical implications. Learn more about this aspect of spiritual warfare by exploring our Fasting Starter Kit.
Prayer tip:
Look up verses in the Bible about Jesus praying and make a list of ideas that you can try yourself. Take time this week to practice one of the lessons you learn from Jesus’ example.
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Spiritual Warfare
God is three persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the most often misunderstood member of this Trinity. But to experience consistent victory in spiritual warfare, it’s crucial to know and understand His role in your life.
After Jesus was raised from death, He appeared to His closest friends and followers. They were scared and confused. They did not know what was going to happen to them because they felt surrounded by enemies, including the Jewish authorities. But Jesus knew this, and He knew the spiritual battles that lay ahead of them.
As He met with them, He commissioned them for the work of making Him known throughout the world — the same work Christians today are invited to join and one of the reasons Satan is so determined to wage war on Christians.
Jesus wanted His friends to have peace and clarity for their spiritual battles. So He told them that their greatest source of strength, His Holy Spirit, would now live within them: “‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.’ And with that He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:21-22, NIV).
We rightly think of God as someone completely separate and different from humanity. But Jesus entered our humanity and experienced the same struggles we do. When He was leaving to return to His Father in heaven, He left us with the greatest gift He could. He offered each of us the chance to experience His own presence living within us — His Holy Spirit.
So as you experience spiritual warfare, you are not just looking for strength from outside yourself or from the tools God gives you, such as prayer and the Bible. God is working within you, giving you everything you need to live the way you are designed to as His child.
Praying With Other Believers
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
(James 5:13-16, English Standard Version)
Not only is it pleasant and encouraging to pray with other followers of Jesus, but it’s also crucial to your success in spiritual warfare. When you admit to others the things you struggle with, the sin that you’re wrestling with — that is, the decisions you make that go against God’s best for you — and even the sickness you experience, and you pray for each other, it is so you can be healed.
The fact that God designed for you to experience freedom from your sin, struggles and even sickness through praying with others clearly shows He doesn’t intend for you to go through spiritual battles or any part of life alone.
Engaging a community of fellow believers is vital to persevering and overcoming spiritual warfare.
What Does Victory Look Like in Spiritual Warfare?
God encourages you to be bold in the things you pray for.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
(Mark 11:24, NIV)
If you feel like only God could win the spiritual battle you are fighting, you’re right. Bring it to Him in prayer and let Him do what He does best: fight your battles.
Spiritual warfare will often look like major challenges in your life. But you will also face battles that are more internal than external. The enemy wants to put as much distance between you and your heavenly Father as he can. His tactics often involve exploiting very human emotions, such as shame, disappointment, insecurity and loneliness.
Victory might look like overcoming a clear obstacle to your faith, such as persecution of some kind relating to what you believe. But on a day-to-day level, victory will often be demonstrated by your perseverance through any circumstance that might cause you to question whether you can trust God.
It’s very tempting to hold God responsible for things in your life that don’t go the way you want (and also easy to forget to thank Him when they do). But the Bible reminds us that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV).
When it comes to using prayer as a weapon of spiritual warfare, victory is fundamentally about trust. Do you believe that your battles are His battles? Do you trust that when you bring a heartfelt need to God, He hears you and will respond?
So your victory may look like your willingness to continue believing in a salvation that the world tells you is ridiculous.
When it comes to using prayer as a weapon of spiritual warfare, victory is fundamentally about trust. Do you believe that your battles are His battles? Do you trust that when you bring a heartfelt need to God, He hears you and will respond?
The Bible says the Lord will fight for you and that Jesus has already won the ultimate victory by defeating death on your behalf on the cross. His resurrection was the declaration of victory in the war to end all wars.
But until Jesus returns or calls you home to heaven, spiritual warfare will remain a reality in your life. God wants you to experience a sense of victory in the battles you face. Prayer is His chosen means of offering that to you. That’s why it is often said that victory in this conflict is won on your knees.
Scriptures That Help You Pray Through Spiritual Warfare
Try using the following verses from the Bible as prayers when you are battling the world, the flesh or the devil. You can even insert your own name or the name of someone you are praying for to personalize the verse.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
“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. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)
“‘No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the LORD.”
John 8:32 (NIV)
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
John 15:7 (NIV)
“If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Part II: The Worldly Battle
The Strong’s Greek and Hebrew dictionary defines the “world” as the “earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extensive the globe; by implication its inhabitants; specifically a participle land, as Babylonia, Palestine: habitable part, world.” The world is where people dwell. So the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2) refers to how the people collectively choose to live on the earth. We, as believers, are told to not conform to the norms of how others live but to live to please God, who is not of this world. Jesus said in John 17:14-16, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” So, we are called to live in the world but not be a part of the world. Let’s study this passage more closely to understand what the Lord desires from us.
Question 4: In John 17, Jesus gives a clear message through His prayer to the Father about the seriousness of our lives in this "world." From the text below, circle the word "world" and underline (or highlight) every reference to Jesus or God the Father.
“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will[believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:6-26)
What does verse 14 say about the world and us?
What does Jesus ask on our behalf in verse 15?
What is the main point of Jesus' prayer for us (verse 21)?
In your own words, how would you describe the Christian' s place in this world?
After reading John 17, it becomes clear that if we are in the world but not of the world, we are going to have conflicts. Those conflicts are spiritual warfare. Why? Because the physical manifestations of the world, such as the trees, the ocean, and the sky are not the problem. It is the forces that control the world that are in conflict with God. We, as Christians, are God’s children. Thus, if the world is in conflict with God, the world is also in conflict with us. The prayer of John 17 expresses the heart of Jesus, as He knows the battles that we will face in this world. The world hates those who follow Jesus. We are not called to be of the world, or worldly, but we are sent in to the world to be a witness of Jesus Christ.
This is a miraculous calling and it takes the miracle of the Holy Spirit living in us to fulfill it. It also takes training to discern between the ways of God and the ways of the world. Because we are born into this world, we naturally think according to it. We have to be transformed to understand God’s ways instead (Romans 12:3). God’s ways are not natural to us. We constantly need to crucify our natural inclinations and desires to receive all that God has for us.
God’s gifts are far greater as they are filled with love, joy and peace than what the world offers. The world promises instant satisfaction and pleasures that fulfill the desires of our flesh, a tempting offer but one that Christians must be constantly on guard against. Jesus understood the temptations of the world. He knew that Satan would use every kind of enticement possible to lure man's heart away from God. Jesus also knew how difficult it would be for those who believe in Him but do not remain faithful due to the cares of the world.
Question 5: Look up Mark 4:1-20 to answer the following questions.
What is being sown? See verse 14.
Briefly describe the scenarios of how the seed is sown and what happens to each.
How does the world influence a new believer and what is the result? See verse 19.
The battles of spiritual warfare are intense when a person decides to accept Jesus as their Savior. The enemy will attack from all angles, hoping to dissuade the person from fully giving their heart to Jesus. He will use circumstances, events, people, things and even doubt in their minds to steal their heart back to his ways. The seeds that are sown in people's hearts will either take root on good soil, which is a heart fully surrendered to the Lord. Or, they will be sown in places where the word is snatched away from them until they fall away. These types of battles are fought in the world but involve the spiritual forces of darkness that exist in the invisible realm around us.
Once we are made aware of the world's influences and how they are in contrast to God's ways, we must then learn how to operate in the world as a true follower of Christ. It is one thing to be naive to the world's deceptions, claiming innocence by ignorance, but once the truth is revealed, we have a responsibility to obey the Lord's directions for us.
Question 6: What does James 4:1-4 say about our relationship with the world? How can you personally apply this verse to your life?
Part III: The Spiritual Warfare Battle Within Us
For some of us, the hardest battles of spiritual warfare are fought within ourselves. We can understand the circumstances and situations that the enemy uses to destroy us. We can accept the truth of how the world lures and tempts us. We can understand to some degree that the battle in the spiritual realm is ongoing and real, even though we cannot see it. But, to get a grasp on what is going on within our own hearts and minds can be the hardest, most exhausting, battle of them all.
In this section, we are going to explore what the Bible teaches about the war within us, the constant struggle between flesh and spirit. Our battle with sin “wars” within our members.
Question 7: To begin to examine the battle within us we must first understand its nature. The desires of the flesh are part of our human nature and its history goes back to the beginning of time, as we know it.
Describe the setting in which the word "sin" is first used in the Bible. See Genesis 4:3-7.
What was God's warning to Cain?
Have you ever felt that overwhelming desire within you to let sin master over you? We make decisions according to how we think, feel and want. So, at times, we find ourselves struggling with anger, bitterness and hatred leading us into areas of temptation. But God tells us to fight against those sinful feelings. We must learn to fight against the very nature within us. Paul tells us to put off the old nature and put on the new man (Colossians 3:8-13). The Lord has given us His Spirit who will empower us to overcome but we must be willing to allow Him the authority to be in control of our emotions and behaviors.
Question 8: From the following verses, describe the battle of flesh versus spirit.
Matthew 26:41
Romans 7:14-20
Galatians 5:16-17
How do these examples reflect similar situations in your life?
We suffer in our flesh, whether we feed its desires or deny its pleasures. We are constantly battling between what we want to do versus what we know the Lord wants us to do. "All have sinned and fall short" but the blood of Christ has saved us from destruction. The battle is waged because we are given the power to overcome sin's grasps. There is no battle when there is no opposing side. It takes two to fight. When we are dead in our trespasses, there is no spiritual battle within us because there is no spiritual life. The Spirit of God brings us to life spiritually, yet we live in these bodies of flesh that still have a sinful nature. Thus, the battle rages in the lives of believers but the victory is assured because we are in Christ.
Question 9: From 1 Peter 4:1-6, answer the following questions:
What is the advantage of suffering in the flesh?
Describe the sins of the past (of the Gentiles).
What happens when we decide to follow the will of God? See verse 4.
At this point, we have to ask ourselves a few questions like “Is Christianity about fighting and suffering or about love and joy? Isn’t the Christian life about peace? Didn’t Jesus do it all so I would not have to? Do I really have to think this much about my faith when it only took one prayer to be saved?” Even if most Christians do not conscientiously ask these questions, their lives reflect the answer. The Christian life is not passive. Jesus told us in Luke 9:23, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Christians are not living the abundant life of love, joy, and peace because they are unaware of how to maintain and claim those promises. Jesus promised us an abundant life that starts here on earth. Until we understand the forces that are against us, and are prepared to fight for what is rightfully ours, we will not be able to receive all that God has for us.
Jesus Christ came to earth in the flesh. He lived a life of much suffering as He denied the desires of His flesh and the temptations of the enemy. Our flesh will suffer just like Jesus but we can be victorious just like Jesus. The victory may not look the same as defined by the world, but nothing compares to a life that is victorious in the ways of God. Think about it: Don’t you want the desires of your heart fulfilled? Don’t you want to know that God heard your prayers and then answered them? Don’t you desire to be all that God wants you to be because He is so good that He only gives you good things? And don’t you want to have all that God wants you to have because He wants the best for you? Don’t you want to do even greater things than Jesus did because you know the Lord and love Him?
If you answered, “Yes. Oh Lord, help me, change me, send me. Don’t let anything prevent me from being all that You want me to be or from receiving all that You want me to receive.” Then, you have to accept that there are forces set against you to prevent you from having any of theses things fulfilled in you. And we must fight those forces in the spiritual realm, worldly realm and within ourselves.
Question 10: What have you learned in this lesson regarding the spiritual warfare and battles in your life? How will you apply what you have learned to your life?
Pray over Spiritual Warfare:
Lord, there are parts of me that do not want to understand the spiritual realm because it seems too scary and too foreign. However, I do realize that I am not where You want me to be. I want to understand what it takes to be victorious. So I ask that You will give me a discerning spirit and I ask that I can be equipped to become victorious. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear and then, change me for eternal purposes.
. Satan’s strategy is to destroy through intimidation and isolation. On the contrary, God’s purpose is to deploy through suffering and proclamation.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
2. God is the source of all good; Satan, the author of evil.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. James 1:13
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3. The battle is real.
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galatians 5:17
Don’t be mistaken — the picture we have of Satan isn’t how he began.
Satan used to be the chief of all the angels who served at the side of God. He was the most beautiful and most knowledgeable angel; the chief of the cherubs. But when he got caught up in his own beauty and decided he wanted God’s job, he led one third of the angels in rebellion against the Creator. Those angels are now called demons.
This is the Tempter against which you are fighting every single day, who is bombarding you with opportunities to hurt and condemn yourself and others.
But do not be discouraged! As you’ll read in the verses below, the Devil was defeated. But our identity is in Christ and He has given us the tools we need to battle spiritual warfare.
Below are the truths to claim as you fight the spiritual battle being waged against you.
Bible Verses To Resist Spiritual Warfare
4. We face a formidable but defeated foe.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:15
5. God will always give us the power to resist the schemes of the enemy — if we choose.
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
6. Good and evil are realities, not merely concepts or metaphors. This wasn’t some ethereal entity confronting Jesus in this passage of Scripture: it’s Jesus and Satan face-to-face.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil … Matthew 4:1
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:10-11
7. Ignorance of his tactics is lethal.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4
8. We fight from victory, not for victory.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.1 John 4:4
More prayer inspiration: How To Adore God In Prayer
9. We are in an “invisible war” with temporal and eternal consequences.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
10. There are two competing agendas for every person on the planet: God’s plan is for life, and Satan’s plan is for death.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
11. Pray intensely and strategically.
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 Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18
Finally, let me share a verse that I recommend you put to memory and say to yourself every time you discern the Enemy has you in his sights.
12. Our identity is in the One who loves us and has sacrificed for us.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
We are more than conquerors!
Don’t fall into the error that author C.S. Lewis identified:
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”
Not everything is demonic, but live soberly in awareness.
CONSIDER THE ENEMY’S SUBTLE WORK IN YOUR LIFE
- Why do you think you experience a wave of depression every time you decide you want to get back into studying the Bible and communing with God?
- Or you’re working hard on your relationships, but suddenly there’s more strife than ever before?
- Do you see what’s happening behind the scenes when you choose to join a small group and then, the first night, someone says something insensitive that hurts your feelings, causing you to want to stay away?
There is undoubtedly an enemy of your soul, and you will set yourself up for personal defeat if you aren’t equipped for the battle.
There is undoubtedly an Enemy of your soul, and you will avoid defeat if you're equipped for the battle. Prepare yourself to recognize the subtle work of the Devil and to resist his creative agenda.CLICK TO TWEET
That’s why I’ve compiled these powerful Bible verses for you to study and memorize. Be sure to also listen to the Diabolical series on YouTube, where you’ll dive deeper into recognizing the Enemy’s schemes and how to prepare for them.
Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NET)
How can we stand against Satan’s schemes and methods? He is more powerful than us, wiser than us, and has vastly more experience since he has lived since the creation of the heavens and earth. How can we stand against him and his demons? In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul told the believers that God had equipped them to stand; however, they had a role to play. They needed to put on God’s armor to stand in the evil day.
What is the armor of God and how do we put it in on to stand in spiritual warfare? We will consider the various pieces of armor and their practical applications.
The Belt of Truth
Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth… Ephesians 6:14
A Roman soldier wore a tunic under his armor, and a large leather belt “was used to gather his garments together as well as hold his sword.”1 The belt was the first part of the armor put on, and it held everything else together. It was crucial. Similarly, truth is a crucial component for every believer in this spiritual battle—without it, believers are not prepared to stand and fight.
What does the belt of truth represent, how do we put it on, and how does it protect us from the enemy?
1. The belt of truth represents knowing the content of truth as revealed in Scripture.
Jesus said this in John 17:17: “Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.” The Word of God is truth, and it is through knowing and applying this truth that we are sanctified—daily made holy and righteous. Satan is a liar, and the more we know the truth, the more likely we’ll defeat him.
2. The belt of truth represents living a life of honesty and integrity.
The belt of truth does not just represent knowing the content of the truth, but also living out the truth practically in our daily lives. Ephesians 4:25-27 says:
Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity.
Practicing falsehood and hypocrisy opens the door to the devil in our lives—it gives him a foothold.
3. The belt of truth represents total commitment and zeal for Christ.
The metaphor of buckling or girding is often used in Scripture to describe the preparatory action of gathering one’s flowing garments in order to work, run a race, or fight a battle.2 Luke 12:35 says, “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning” (KJV). First Peter 1:13 says, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind” (KJV). These texts both refer metaphorically to the action of tightening one’s belt so as not to hinder action.
Since buckling or girding is often used to describe preparation, some commentators think the belt of truth refers to serving the Lord wholeheartedly, with total commitment, as a soldier going into battle. John MacArthur says this:
I believe that being girded … with truth primarily has to do with the self–discipline of total commitment. It is the committed Christian, just as it is the committed soldier and the committed athlete, who is prepared. Winning in war and in sports is often said to be the direct result of desire that leads to careful preparation and maximum effort. It is the army or the team who wants most to win who is most likely to do so—even against great odds…To be content with mediocrity, lethargy, indifference, and half–heartedness is to fail to be armored with the belt of God’s truth and to leave oneself exposed to Satan’s schemes.3
To stand in spiritual warfare, we must know the truth of God’s Word to recognize Satan’s lies. We must practice honesty and not deception, and we must be wholehearted in our commitment to God instead of half-hearted. The believer missing his belt is vulnerable to the devil’s attacks.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Stand firm therefore … by putting on the breastplate of righteousness,
The Roman soldier wore a tough, sleeveless piece of armor that covered the whole torso, front and back, from neck to waist. It was often made of leather, metal, or chains. The primary purpose of the armor was “to protect the heart, lungs, intestines, and other vital organs.” 4
What does the breastplate of righteousness represent, how do we put it on, and how does it protect us from the enemy?
1. The breastplate of righteousness represents recognition of the imputed righteousness of Christ.
Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” Essentially, Christ took our sin at the cross and gave us his righteousness. This is the very reason we can come into the presence of God and worship him. When he sees us, he sees the righteousness of Christ. This is probably symbolized in Zechariah 3:1-7 where Joshua, the high priest, comes into God’s presence wearing filthy clothes. Satan stands by Joshua’s side to accuse him—and no doubt to declare him unfit to be in God’s presence. However, God rebukes Satan and places clean clothes on Joshua, which probably represents imputing to him the righteousness of Christ. The Angel of the Lord says, “Remove his filthy clothes.” Then he says to Joshua, “I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you in fine clothing” (v.4).
It’s the same for us. Our clothes—representing our character and works—are unclean to God. Even our righteousness is like filthy rags to him (Is 64:6). Even our best works are full of bad intentions—to be known, exalted, etc. However, God rebukes the devil and gives us clean clothes—the righteousness of Christ. This is the only reason we can stand in the presence of God.
Because the imputation of Christ’s righteousness happens at salvation, many commentators say the breastplate of righteousness cannot represent Christ’s work. How can we put it on if we are already wearing it positionally? However, we still need to recognize this work in order to stand against the accusations and condemnation of the devil.
Many believers, though they assent to salvation by grace, think it is their daily works that continue to justify them before God. When they fail to fully satisfy God’s righteous requirements, the enemy quickly comes to condemn them and pull them away from God. By not recognizing Christ’s work, they essentially agree with the devil. “You are right, Satan. I should not go to church; I should not read my Bible—that would be hypocritical.” They agree with the devil’s lies—opening the door for him into their hearts and minds.
However, we must not do that. We must continually declare the righteousness of Christ. “I am justified by grace—the unmerited favor of God—through Christ’s righteousness. I can do nothing to justify myself before God. Every day I must throw myself upon God’s gracious provisions. He provided the perfect Lamb that was slain so I could come into his presence.”
2. The breastplate of righteousness represents our practical righteousness.
But the breastplate is not just imputed righteousness; it is also practical righteousness. When we are living a righteous life, we are protected from Satan. However, when we fall into sin, we give Satan an open door to attack and defeat us. Again, Ephesians 4:26-27 indicates this, as it says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity.” By practicing righteousness and shunning sin, we close the door on the enemy.
3. The breastplate of righteousness represents guarding our mind and emotions.
As mentioned, the Roman soldier’s breastplate was used to protect the vital organs such as the heart and intestines. In the Hebrew mindset, the heart represented the mind and will. The bowels, or intestines, represented emotions and feelings (cf. Col 3:12, KJV).5 Therefore, the breastplate probably represents guarding our mind and emotions. Solomon says, “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life” (Prov 4:23).
Satan realizes that if he can get our minds and emotions, that will affect our worship and our obedience to God. That’s why he always works to implant wrong teachings and lies into our minds through books, music, TV, and conversation. Our minds affect our walk—how we live. But he also wants to get our emotions. Many Christians are emotionally all over the place, and part of that is a result of spiritual warfare. Satan stirs up people to criticize and condemn. He stirs up little romances with the opposite sex to distract us from focusing on God. He works to make believers worry and fret about the future so that they lose their joy. The enemy is cunning and keen. Therefore, we must guard our hearts above all else. We guard our hearts by recognizing wrong thoughts, confessing them as sinful to Christ, and turning away from them. We also guard our hearts by filling our minds with Scripture. When we do this, the enemy has no room to fill our minds with anything else.
To stand in spiritual warfare, we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. This includes recognizing Christ’s imputed righteousness, so we will not be vulnerable to Satan’s condemnation when we or others stumble (Rom 8:1). It includes living a righteous life, which doesn’t allow Satan to gain a foothold in our lives through sin (Eph 4:26-27). Finally, it includes guarding our mind and emotions, which the enemy is always trying to attack (Prov 4:23, Phil 4:8-10).
The Footwear of Peace
By fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace
When Paul talks about “fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,” he is picturing the footwear of a Roman soldier. They typically wore a half-boot with the toes uncovered and spikes coming out of the soles. The boots allowed “the soldier to be ready to march, climb, fight, or do whatever else is necessary.”6 The spikes specifically helped when hiking or on slippery surfaces.
Without the right shoes, the soldier’s feet were prone to blisters, cuts, and other problems which put him at a disadvantage in battle. The soldier’s shoes were very important—without them, he wasn’t ready to fight.
Similarly, there is appropriate footwear for believers to wear in spiritual battles. It is the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. As with the other pieces of armor, commentators are not unanimous on what this represents. It could represent several things, as outlined below.
What does ones’ feet being fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace represent?
1. The readiness that comes from the gospel of peace represents appropriating the believer’s peace with God.
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is important because the enemy always aims to separate believers from God. It is God who gives believers the strength to put on God’s armor and the power to conquer the devil. Therefore, the enemy always seeks to separate Christians from the source of all that is good. Sometimes he uses lies to foster anger at God. He often begins by cultivating a wrong view of God. Believers start to believe that God doesn’t love them or want what’s best for them—that he just doesn’t care. Satan creates a caricature of God—a God of wrath but not a God of love, a God of judgment but not a God of mercy. However, God is all of these.
We must put on the gospel of peace by remembering that Christ died to bridge the chasm between us and God. He paid the penalty for our sins and gave us his righteousness so that we could know God and come into his presence. Jesus says, “Now this is eternal life–that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent” (John 17:3). Christ died so we could come near God and have an intimate relationship with him.
2. The readiness that comes from the gospel of peace represents having the peace of God.
Not only has God given each of us peace with himself, but we also have the peace of God. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.” The peace Christ had while asleep in the boat during the storm and the peace that enabled him to go to the cross, he has given to us. It is not God’s will for us to live in anxiety, fear, and worry. Scripture commonly says, “Do not be afraid,” “Do not worry,” and “Do not be anxious about anything.” Christ has given us the promise of his peace.
If we are worried, anxious, and fearful, we have the wrong footwear for this battle. Our enemy is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The lion roars to incite fear in his prey. Some believers are fearful about their future; others are fearful about what others think or say. Others are afraid of failure. These fears undermine the footing of Christians—our readiness for battle comes from God’s peace.
Therefore, God commands us to put on his peace. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.” Paul also refers to the peace of Christ as clothing to be worn (cf. Col 3:12). As believers, we must let God’s peace rule in our hearts—not fear of failure, losing our jobs, or rejection. Satan wants to lead us as slaves through fear, but God guides us as children through his peace (cf. Rom 8:15).
How can we put on the peace of God instead of fear and anxiety? Philippians 4:6-7 says,
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
- If we are going to have God’s peace, we must reject anxiety and fear. They are not God’s will for us, and they are sinful. They say, “God, you are not to be trusted,” or “You are not in control.”
- If we are going to have God’s peace, we must learn to pray about everything. Prayer must become the atmosphere we live in. When we are not living in prayer (i.e. God’s presence), the storms of life will constantly frighten and overwhelm us.
- If we are going to have God’s peace, we must learn to give thanks in everything. When we complain, murmur, and criticize, we lose the peace of God.
3. The readiness that comes from the gospel of peace represents spreading the gospel.
The association of feet with the gospel is not uncommon in Scripture. Isaiah 52:7 says, “How delightful it is to see approaching over the mountains the feet of a messenger who announces peace, a messenger who brings good news, who announces deliverance, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” In Romans 10:15 (ESV), Paul says, “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” One of our responsibilities in this war is to share the gospel with others. It is each person’s assignment. Second Corinthians 5:18-20 says:
And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”
In hand to hand combat, if one side is only playing defense, he will eventually be defeated. He must also attack. Our battle as believers is not just defensive; it is, in fact, primarily offensive. We are called to advance the kingdom of God by spreading the gospel everywhere in the name of Jesus. If we are not doing so, we won’t stand firm. The enemy’s offensive will eventually swallow us up.
4. The readiness that comes from the gospel of peace represents peace in our relationships with others.
This is one of the major themes of Ephesians. Paul teaches the mystery of the gospel that God makes the Jew and Gentile one in Christ. Consider Ephesians 2:12-14:
that you were at that time without the Messiah, alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility
Animosity between Jews and Gentiles was a major issue for the early church. In Acts 6, the Jews neglected the Greek widows in the daily distribution while providing for the Hebrew widows. However, Paul said Christ is our peace—he has made us one.
Surely disunity is one of the major weapons the enemy uses against our churches. Sometimes he brings disunity through racism, as seen with the Jews and Gentiles in the early church. Sometimes he uses doctrine. What God intends to equip and strengthen us, the enemy uses to bring division and discord. Sometimes, he uses national politics. Most times, he just uses pride. Pride says, “My way is the only way, and it can’t be done any other way.” Churches divide over changing the color of the carpet, the music, the flow of worship services, and any other thing. The root of this is pride—“my way is the only way.”
In attacking the church, Satan seeks to bring division. Remember, Paul says in Ephesians 4:26-27 not to let the sun go down while we are angry, and not to give the devil a foothold. Christ is our peace.
To stand in spiritual warfare, we must put on the footwear of peace. We must remember Satan tries to separate us from God through condemnation and lies; however, Christ has given us peace with God (Rom 5:1). In addition, since Satan is always trying to attack our hearts—inciting fear and anxiety—we must aim to always walk in the peace of God (Phil 4:7). God’s peace should be ruling in our hearts, not fear (Col 3:15). Also, we put on the footwear of peace by continually sharing the gospel (Rom 10:15). An army that is only defensive will most likely lose. We must also be on the offensive—threatening the gates of hades by sharing the gospel with others and setting people free from darkness. Finally, the footwear of peace is put on by walking in peace with others. Satan is always trying to divide, but as much as depends on us, we must live in peace with all people (Rom 12:18).
Taking Up the Shield of Faith
and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
The Greek word “thureos,” translated as “shield,” referred to a large shield about two and a half feet wide and four and a half feet high. It was designed to protect the entire body of a soldier. The shield was like a door—made of solid wood and covered with metal or leather. It was often dipped in water to extinguish the fiery arrows of the enemy.7
Armies often wrapped pieces of cloth around arrows, soaked them in pitch, set them on fire, and then shot them at the enemy. Upon contact, an arrow would often “spatter burning bits for several feet, igniting anything flammable it touched.”8
Our enemy also shoots flaming arrows at us. He shoots the arrows of criticism, fear, covetousness, anger, depression, doubt, lust, and every other temptation. In order to stand firm, we must take up the shield of faith.
What is the shield of faith and how can believers take it up?
1. The shield of faith refers to trust in God’s person.
When Abram was struggling with fear, God said to him, “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield and the one who will reward you in great abundance” (Gen 15:1). Essentially, God said, “Trust me. I will protect you and reward you.” Our protection is God himself and we must trust in him.
Putting on the shield of faith means running to God when life is difficult, when life is good, and when life is mundane. Believers without the shield of faith will run to everything else before God. When in a trial, they will run to coffee, to cigarettes, to relationships, to pity parties, etc. However, when we’re wearing the shield of faith, we’ll run to God. He is our shield—therefore we must trust him.
How do believers grow in trusting God more? We learn to trust God more by knowing his character. When we know God is good, wise, and sovereign (over all things including evil), we will be able to stand against Satan’s attacks. We learn to trust God more by knowing his promises. God has given us many promises in his Word to help us stand (cf. Phil 4:6-7, 8-9, Ps 1, 1 John 1:8, Rom 8:1, 10:9-10, John 10:27-30, etc.).
2. The shield of faith refers to dependence on the body of Christ.
In ancient times, the edges of this shield were “so constructed that an entire line of soldiers could interlock shields and march into the enemy like a solid wall. This suggests that we Christians are not in the battle alone.”9
The enemy attacks from every direction, and we need one another to stand firm. Yes, doing so is a struggle since the church is not perfect, as God is. However, it is the means through which God chooses to impart his grace. He works through an imperfect body. If we don’t avail ourselves of the body’s resources, we leave ourselves more vulnerable to the devil’s attacks.
3. The shield of faith refers to living a life of faith—a life of serving God.
In ancient Roman armies, the people holding the thureos—the large shields—were always at the front of the army. They were the front line. When they lifted their shields, they protected those behind them. This also allowed the archers to shoot arrows while under their protection. Therefore, to put on the shield of faith means to live a life of faith—serving God.
It means stepping out of our comfort zone to serve in a ministry. It means using our gifts to serve the church. When we do so, we’ll be criticized by others, and we’ll be attacked emotionally, physically, and spiritually by the enemy. But as we stand firm against these attacks with the shield of faith, we protect others and help them grow as they benefit from our faith. To never get involved, use our spiritual gifts, or build others up means to not use the shield of faith.
To stand in our war, we must put on the shield of faith by trusting in God’s person, as he is our protector, by depending on the body of Christ, since the isolated believer is the most vulnerable, and by living a life of faith through serving on the frontline.
The Helmet of Salvation
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Here, Paul pictures the Roman soldier’s helmet. James Boice’s comments are helpful:
The helmet had a band to protect the forehead and plates for the cheeks, and extended down in back to protect the neck. When the helmet was strapped in place, it exposed little besides the eyes, nose, and mouth. The metal helmets, due to their weight, were lined with sponge or felt. Virtually the only weapons which could penetrate a metal helmet were hammers or axes.3
In warfare, the enemy commonly attacked the head since the soldier’s mind controlled his decisions and reactions in a fight. To harm the head was to gain an advantage in combat. Our enemy, Satan, does the same.
What does the helmet of salvation represent?
1. The helmet of salvation represents assurance of salvation.
As with every other piece of armor, the helmet of salvation shows us how the enemy attacks. Here we see how he attacks the believer’s assurance of salvation. Satan’s attack on assurance is two-pronged. He seeks to assure professed believers who are not truly saved that they are, in fact, “safe,” and he plants seeds of doubt in those who are truly saved, leading to discouragement and depression. Personally, I’ve noticed it is often the Christians who are walking faithfully with God who struggle the most with assurance. And those not walking faithfully with him are not very concerned about their salvation at all, even though they should be.
When true believers are constantly worried about their salvation, they are not much use to the kingdom of God. They typically don’t evangelize or serve. They essentially stop growing because they are too concerned with themselves. This is why attacking the head is a common tactic of Satan—it makes a Christian unprofitable. One particular book that helps believers gain assurance is the book of 1 John. The main theme of 1 John is found in Chapter 5:13. It says, “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Therefore, throughout the book are many tests of true faith, so we can be assured God has saved and changed us. We must drink deeply from these when doubting our salvation (cf. 1 John 2:3-5; 2:15; 2:19; 3:6,9; 3:12-13; 3:14-15; 4:15, etc.). For example, 1 John 2:3-5 says,
Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him.
Faithful obedience to God and his Word is the primary proof that we have been truly saved. In fact, in John 8:31 (ESV), Christ said, “If you abide in my words, then you are truly my disciples.” If we don’t love his Word and continually follow it, we have no reason to call ourselves disciples of Christ in the first place.
2. The helmet of salvation represents anticipation of our future salvation.
First Thessalonians 5:8 says, “But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.” Paul calls the helmet the hope of salvation. James Boice’s comments are helpful here:
If that is what he is thinking of here, then he is looking to our destiny rather than our present state. He is saying that our anticipation of that end will protect our heads in the heat (and often confusion) of the battle.10
Therefore, if we have lost the hope of our future salvation, we will not be able to stand in this spiritual battle. The luxuries of the world will draw us into idolatry and spiritual lethargy; the trials and persecutions in this world will draw our hearts away from God and our heavenly home. However, when believers hope in their salvation, that hope keeps them from living for the world and/or fearing persecution by the world.
To stand in spiritual warfare, we must put on the helmet of salvation. We must have assurance of salvation. Those who are born again are new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), and there will be noticeable fruits that demonstrate Christ’s lordship in their lives (cf. 2 Cor 13:5, Matt 7:21-23, 5:3-10, 2 Peter 1:5-10, 1 John 2:3-5; 2:15; 2:19; 3:6,9; 3:12-13; 3:14-15; 4:15, 5:13, etc.). In addition, we put on the helmet by hoping in our future salvation. This will deliver us from living lives that are focused only on the temporary. By hoping in eternity, we will live profitable lives for the kingdom (cf. Col 3:1-4).
The Sword of the Spirit
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The sword Paul refers to is not the broadsword (rhomphaia), but the dagger (machaira), which varied in length from six to eighteen inches. It was the common sword used by Roman soldiers in hand-to-hand combat and was carried in a sheath attached to the belt.11
A skillful soldier used it to deflect the blows of his enemy, and the Word of God must be used in this fashion. We get a picture of this when Satan attacked Christ in the wilderness (Matt 4). To each of Satan’s temptations, Christ responded with Scripture. Therefore, the Christian who does not know the Word of God well will have problems defending against the attacks of the devil.
What’s interesting about Paul’s description of the sword as the “word” of God is the Greek term used. John MacArthur says:
The term Paul uses here for word is not logos, which refers to general statements or messages, but is rhēma, which refers to individual words or particular statements. The apostle is therefore not talking here about general knowledge of Scripture, but is emphasizing again the precision that comes by knowledge and understanding of specific truths.12
James Boice adds:
While logos embraces nearly everything, rhēma has a slighter weight. It really means “a saying,” in this case, a particular, specific portion of God’s written revelation. John 3:16 is a rhēma. Romans 3:23 is a rhēma, and so on for all the other specific portions of the written “Word of God.” It is important to see this, as I said, because according to Paul’s teaching we are to overcome Satan by the particular words or portions of Scripture.13
This emphasizes the extreme power of each Scripture verse. Christ said that man shall not live by bread alone but by “EVERY” word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4). Scripture is God-inspired and powerful. It can translate a person from darkness to light and defeat the attacks of the devil. Therefore, we must know and love God’s Word.
How do we take up the sword of the Spirit?
The word “take” is a command. If we are going to fight this spiritual battle, we must take the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—by reading it, memorizing it, meditating on it, studying it, and proclaiming it.
Praying in the Spirit
With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints. Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak – that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.
In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul details the believer’s need to be filled with the power of God, and also to put on the full armor of God in order to stand against the devil’s attacks. The armor of God represents attitudes and actions that believers must practice to win on the spiritual battlefield. It includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the footwear of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. No Christian soldier can win without them; however, even these are not enough. We must pray in the Spirit.
We can see Paul’s emphasis on the importance of prayer in two ways. First, he writes more about prayer than about any other piece of armor. He uses three verses to teach on prayer in the Spirit. Also, praying in the Spirit is the seventh piece of armor. In Scripture, seven is the number of completion. This means that one can be suited up with every other piece of armor and yet still lose the battle. Praying in the Spirit is a necessity.
Prayer is the energy and atmosphere in which we wage war. Believers must live in prayer at all times in order to win this spiritual battle. It is how we are strengthened in the power of God, and it is how we put on the full armor (cf. Eph 6:10-11).
I think we can discern the importance of prayer by considering the battle between Israel and the Amalekites in Exodus 17. Joshua led Israel’s army into battle, but they only won while Moses lifted his hands in prayer. When Moses became tired of lifting his hands in prayer, Israel began to lose. And this is true for us as well. We can read the Word, preach, evangelize, and live a moral life, but if we are not praying, we will be defeated.
Similarly, when Peter was going to be tempted by Satan right before Christ’s death, the Lord told him that he needed to pray in order not to fall into temptation (Matt 26:41). Peter fell asleep and therefore did not stand in the evil day. We are often like this as well. We sleep when we should be praying. We fight when we should be waiting on the Lord. Prayer is essential. “Edward Payson said: ‘Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to minister. Pray, therefore, my dear brother, pray, pray, pray.’”14
Again, Paul doesn’t call us to just any type of prayer, but specifically prayer in the Spirit. What is prayer in the Spirit? Praying in the Spirit does not refer to speaking in tongues or any other charismatic experience. It simply means to pray according to God’s Word and according to his promptings. Jude also commands us to do this in Jude 1:20. He says, “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit.”
To stand in spiritual warfare, we can put on every other piece of God’s armor, but without also praying according to the Spirit, we will fail. By praying, we recognize our weakness, rely on God, and are empowered by him. Therefore, in fighting the devil, we must pray, pray, and pray more!
Conclusion
Believers are engaged in spiritual warfare with the enemy of their souls. Satan and his demons are bent on destroying God’s works and his people. Our enemy’s attacks are varied—he tempts, persecutes, and deceives. How can we stand firm in this spiritual war? We must put on the belt of truth by knowing the truth, speaking the truth, and living the truth; the breastplate of righteousness by living a righteous life and guarding our mind and emotions; the footwear of peace by sharing the gospel and living gospel-centered lives in relation to God and others; the helmet of salvation by having assurance of salvation and hoping in our future salvation; the shield of faith by trusting God and his promises amidst various attacks; the sword of the Spirit by believing, speaking, and living by God’s Word; and prayer in the Spirit by praying in everything. Only by putting on the full armor of God can we stand against and conquer the devil and his demons. Being partially armored will not do.
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