Spiritual Warfare (Part 1)

Understanding Ephesians 6:10–20

In Ephesians 6:10-20, we’re told that spiritual battles are a big part of our faith journey. As believers, we’re encouraged to put on God’s protective gear like truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the word of God. The passage also talks about the importance of prayer in fighting off evil forces.

1. Being a Christian is like being in a fight

Being a true Christian isn’t just about peace, it’s also about conflict and struggle. When you become a Christian, you often face new challenges and enemies. A real Christian is known by their inner struggles as much as their inner peace. This shows they take their spiritual life seriously and are eager to fulfill their mission. If you’re always in a fight, it’s a clear sign that you’re a genuine Christian because it means you’re aware of the seriousness of your spiritual state. This is different from sin, which makes people feel too comfortable and not worry about their spiritual state.

2. The battle belongs to God

If we believe in God, heaven, and supernatural powers, it makes sense to also believe in a supernatural evil force. Even Jesus talked about Satan being thrown out of heaven. Rejecting the idea of supernatural powers is an outdated idea from the Enlightenment era. Modern thinking and the fact that no one has proved there’s no supernatural world challenge this idea. So, questioning our doubts can lead us to faith and to acknowledging the existence of supernatural evil.

3. We’re the ones doing the fighting

Our faith journey is a spiritual battle. We’re not supposed to rely on our own strength, but on God’s. We must trust Him and obey Him, even when we feel outnumbered or alone. Even when we feel like we’re not enough, we can find comfort in God’s promise that He will never leave us. This gives us the courage to do what He has called us to do.