Is Paul exaggerating in his description of the kingdom of darkness and its power or is he giving us a true picture of what we face every day, as believers? Yes, this is all true and we have to learn how to be prepared for the battle so that we can stand against the enemy’s many schemes to destroy our testimony, our life, our family, and our work for the Lord Jesus.
The Shield of Faith:
In Paul’s description of the Armor of God (Eph. 6:11-18), he points out different pieces of the full armor, but we want to concentrate on 2 of them. First the Shield of Faith, as Paul takes us to the warfare experience of his time where soldiers fought hand-to-hand combat and needed a shield to protect themselves from the enemy’s attacks. Paul explains that the shield would stop all the fiery darts of the devil against believers. These fairy darts and attacks are mainly in the spiritual realm and the Shield of Faith is also a spiritual reality because FAITH is not a tangible thing, nevertheless, it is fueled by the power of God.
The Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God:
The sword was used during the battle as a defensive and attacking piece that the soldier would use effectively to protect against the attack. How it is done in the spiritual domain is not that different. The devil will use many of his rulers and army of demons to come against believers and at that time, the believer needs to know how to use the Sword of the Spirit to defend against the attacks. When the enemy came against Jesus, all that Jesus would say was: “It is written….” Why did He have to use those words preceding His statements? Because we have already learned that the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword and like fire and a hammer that can break the rock in pieces. The devil has nothing that can overpower the Word of God — but the enemy always finds ways to try to defeat the believers.
Warnings and preparations for the attack:
Peter said: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV James said: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:7-10 NKJV Paul said: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph. 6:10-11 NKJV John said: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith… Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:4, 14-15 NKJV Jesus said to Peter: “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-32 NKJV
A warning from Jesus about the end:
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” Luke 21:34 Remember, the more you are into the cares of this life, the less strength you will have to resist the attack because the enemy knows your weaknesses and how easily you fall to temptations!! And he will bring them!!
We could have given you many methods on how to fight the devil, but we are letting His Word be the one guiding and instructing us on how to achieve the victory in times of suffering because of persecutions and attacks from the enemy. Here is the summary of what Jesus, Peter, Paul, James, and John gave the believers to know who they are in Christ and how to get the victory. They received the attacks of the enemy in many ways and they are showing us how to be prepared: Resist, steadfast in the faith Submit to God and draw near to Him Cleanse your hand, purify your heart, and humble yourself Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might This is the victory that overcomes the world — OUR FAITH Ask with FAITH and you will receive the petitions of your heart When the enemy comes to attack, ask Jesus to give you the FAITH to resist When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19 NKJV
* All biblical references are from New King James Version