THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE
Man is immersed in a battle raging in the spiritual realm. Paul talks about this battle in the Ephesians.
He begins by pointing out that there is a spiritual world and our lives operate not just in the physical realm but also in the heavenly realms (v1: 3). He goes on to state that the ultimate goal of all creation is to bring all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And if that be the case, we know from the Bible that every such effort is being opposed in the spiritual realm tooth and nail by Satan and his armies. That is the basis for the spiritual battle that we humans find ourselves in during our lives here on earth.
Man starts off by being in Satan’s camp, spiritually dead and in bondage.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, ——-But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-6)
The death of Jesus on the cross brought the turnaround that man was in desperate need for. ‘Dead’ and ‘alive’ in this passage refers to the spiritual condition of man. In Christ, man becomes alive when he gets saved and ends up on the camp of Christ, seated with him in the spiritual realm. While a person who is saved looks forward with renewed hope toward eternal life, it is a loss for Satan, and he comes against a believer with all his resources to put him down.
The Christian’s apt response is outlined by Paul,
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.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. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
Paul asks a believer to engage in this battle and choose to be strong in God’s power. Engagement involves putting on the armor of God. The belt that holds all else together is the truth centered around Jesus. The breastplate that protects a disciple from the pit of guilt and despair is the righteous standing before God that views us as saints despite being sinners. The assurance of salvation orients for a meaningful life and faith extinguishes all doubts and helps to move forward. Shoes indicate a willingness to move as led by the Lord bringing both protection and effectiveness. And the word of God coupled with prayer is the sword that helps put away all threats in the spiritual dimension.
A disciple’s eyes need to be opened to the vast array of spiritual forces of evil arrayed against him. However, Christ who lives within a disciple reigns supreme. In aligning with Christ and actively engaging in the spiritual battle, a disciple can stand firm and choose to be victorious.
