Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm 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 forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to 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.Spiritual warfare is a popular subject in Christian circles. It also seems to be a misunderstood subject.
Most Christians can tell you that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, and that the battle is a spiritual one. Until they start talking politics and social issues. They rail against the politicians, labeling them, and calling them by degrading names. They carry signs, chant slogans and yell about social issues such as abortion or sexual perversions.
If we believe that the battle is spiritual, why do we wage it in the flesh, attacking the doctors, or protesting the lost? I have heard it said, "if I stand by and do nothing, evil wins." Are you God? Are you the one who will defeat evil? Is prayer nothing? If you pray, will God not answer? Is He powerless? Of course not! So why do you act as if He is?
What are we told to do against the schemes of the devil? Stand firm. We are not told to storm the gates of hell, but to "be strong in the Lord in the strength of His might." We are to put on defensive armor, while God fights for us.
In a very popular Christian movie, we see the prayer warrior talking to the devil. She tells him that he is defeated and has no power over her. It's a powerful scene, well acted, but ignorant and foolish. "But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”" [Jude 1:9 NASB]
It is God who fights for us, and our job in spiritual warfare is to put on the armor of God and stand firm.
I have had people tell me that they put on the armor every day. They pantomime putting on the breastplate, belt, shoes and helmet and taking up the sword and shield. They have missed the point. The armor is a metaphor. It is the character virtues that matter.
The armor of God is truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation and the word of God. These are not use to cut down those who oppose us, but to bear us up against the schemes of the devil.
He is the father of lies, but I know the truth. He will tempt me, but I have the righteousness of Christ by His grace. The devil wants me to doubt my Savior lives, but I know the Gospel. He would have me be afraid, but I have faith. He wants me to despair, but I know that I am saved. He would lead me into error, but I study the word of God.
Three times, we are told in this passage to stand firm. We are not told to advance. We are not told to attack. We are told to "take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
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