Ephesians 6:11-18 | Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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 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 Lord’s people.
Though at times—especially in our present age—it seems we’re in the midst of a horrendous physical battle, the real war is against the powers of spiritual darkness. The enemy’s goal has not changed through the years. Satan knows his ultimate destiny, yet he’ll never give up his evil intent until Christ banishes him to the eternal lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). The only way he can do damage to the kingdom of God now is by enticing God’s beloved children to yield to sin, thus damaging their fellowship with the Lord.
The enemy will try to discourage you by filling your mind with an array of doubt and confusion, but you don’t have to believe him. The message of the gospel of Christ is given to you as a sure authority. God’s Word provides all the details you need to know about Satan.
Paul laid out the battle plan in the sixth chapter of Ephesians. First, we must identify the enemy (vv. 11-12); second, we’re to dress in the full armor of God and stand firm (vv. 13-17). The next verse reveals the key to withstanding the enemy’s onslaughts—we must appropriate the strength of the living God. How do we get His power into our lives, to be unleashed in any and every circumstance? There’s only one way: with prayer (v. 18).
Make a habit of claiming the armor of God each morning before you leave your house—this is a conscious act of submitting your life to the Lord as your final authority. Acknowledging your need for Him is a sign not of weakness, but of unshakable trust. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, all of heaven is on your side.
Whatever transpires in your life, the wisest decision you’ll ever make is the decision to take the “war to the floor”—spending time in prayer with the Lord on a regular basis. This teaches you to recognize the enemy’s movement and prepares you for battle when Satan approaches. Paul told the Ephesians they were in a war … but clothed in the armor of God, they were assured the victory.