There’s a battle raging every day around us — not of flesh and blood, but in the unseen spiritual world. The Bible calls this conflict spiritual warfare, and every believer is a participant whether they realize it or not. This war isn’t fought with swords or guns but with truth, righteousness, and faith anchored in the Word of God.
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
Spiritual warfare is the ongoing struggle between the forces of God and the powers of Satan. The Apostle Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 6:10–12 (KJV) — “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This isn’t symbolic; it’s the reality of the Christian life.
Paul urges believers to “put on the whole armor of God” so we can stand firm against evil’s deception. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and the power of prayer (Ephesians 6:13–18). Each piece represents spiritual readiness, not physical protection.
How the Battle Looks
Spiritual warfare manifests in temptation, discouragement, fear, and doubt — the enemy’s oldest strategies. Temptation lures believers away from obedience, while fear and lies attack faith. Yet Jesus modeled victory in this war when He faced Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11), meeting each temptation with Scripture.
Sometimes spiritual warfare takes place within — the “battlefield of the mind,” as David Hernandez writes. The devil’s aim is to replace truth with deception. Victory begins when we recognize that (as 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 states) our weapons “are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”
The Goal of the Armor
Every item of the armor serves a divine purpose:
- Truth keeps us grounded amid deception.
- Righteousness guards our hearts from guilt.
- Faith extinguishes the fiery darts of doubt.
- Salvation assures us of our eternal security.
- God’s Word acts as both defense and attack — cutting through lies and exposing sin.
Most importantly, prayer fuels all these defenses. As the C.S. Lewis Institute reminds believers, prayer is not passive; it’s a weapon that moves unseen powers in the spiritual realm.
Standing Strong
David Jeremiah once wrote that strength in this battle doesn’t come from self-effort but from God’s Spirit. Victory in spiritual warfare depends not on how hard we fight, but on how deeply we trust in Christ’s finished work. When we stand firm in truth and walk daily in faith, we are no longer victims of darkness — we are warriors of light.
Final Reflection
Spiritual warfare is not a distant or rare event; it’s the silent, daily struggle of faith. But we fight from victory, not for it — because Jesus has already triumphed. So put on the armor, stay alert, and let the light of God’s truth be your weapon.
As Ephesians 6:13 declares:
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
(Inspired by insights from David Hernandez Ministries , New Growth Press , and David Jeremiah Blog.)
Battle Ready: Putting on The Armor of God Kindle Book
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