This article is based on Pastor Adrian Rogers' message, Christian Warfare.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Our sophisticated age thinks of “the devil” as a laughable character, a medieval superstition, some guy with red long-underwear and a pitchfork. But Satan is very real. It has always been his purpose to pull the veil of darkness over his kingdom. But he will only disguise himself for so long before he removes the veil and says, “Bow down and worship me.”
How is your enemy described in Scripture?
Satan is a fact. If you do not believe the devil exists, you are in a precarious position.
Satan is methodical. The Greek word for “wiles” (See Ephesians 6:11.) is methodia, from which we get “methodical.” Here are some other things you should know about your enemy:
The Apostle Paul says, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10) because our God has already defeated Satan. Facing the cross, Jesus said, “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31b). Satan is strong, but God is almighty. (See 1 John 4:4.)
If Satan is defeated, why do we need to be warned? Because, though Satan’s back was broken at Calvary, God still allows him to have power on Earth. It is limited power—which Christians overcome in Christ—but God’s plan is to make us overcomers and give greater glory to Himself.
If you don’t prepare for battle, you will lose. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).
When Paul wrote Ephesians, he was chained to a Roman soldier. He looked that soldier up and down, saying, “I can get a lesson out of that.” (Read Ephesians 6:14-18.) Here is what’s available in your armor.
A soldier had a leather belt cinched up to hold his center of strength. On that belt, he hung his weapons.
Your belt is integrity. You are to believe, tell, live, and preach the truth. Satan will come against you with lies. (See John 8:44.) Jesus is the truth. (See John 14:6, 18:37.)
If you do not have integrity—in big and small things—you will lose the battle. Truth holds everything together.
A warrior’s breastplate covered his vital organs. Without it, of course, he was vulnerable to any sword or arrow.
Righteousness is purity. There is to be no unconfessed, unrepented sin in your life. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Satan wants to get you to say, “Oh, it’s no big sin…” It is a crack in the armor.
Satan fears a holy Christian.
A Roman soldier needed shoes with hobnails, much like cleats, for good footing.
Paul tells us to stand, “having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Paul means peace with God, and with one another.
Satan attacks your tranquility with doubts and discouragement. If you do not have peace, it is not because of circumstances. Peace is the power to meet problems. (See Psalm 119:165.)
Jesus made peace with the blood of His cross, and if you don’t have this peace, you will slip in battle.
In that day, they dipped arrows in burning oil and then shot them, so a soldier had a shield.
Paul says you are to be, “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16). Faith is certainty. Satan is always trying to place subtle doubts in your heart—little flaming darts, but a small fire starts a big one.
Wherever you go, remember the Word of God. Carry your doubts to Jesus.
Obviously, if a warrior’s head is wounded, nothing else works.
When a person is saved, for the first time, he has his right mind. “Salvation” means going to Heaven, but more than that, the helmet of salvation means a mind under the control of Almighty God.
It is not enough to put on the armor. We’ve got to get in the fight. Three things guarantee victory:
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…” (Ephesians 6:13,14a). Withstand, stand, stand! We stand in the victory that Jesus won at Calvary. (See Revelation 12:11.)
It is good to have a helmet, breastplate, and shield. But to fight, God has given you “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17b; emphasis added).
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12a; also read Matthew 4:1-11.)
Dress in your armor, take your stand on the finished work of Calvary, pick up the Word of God, then look to Heaven for your supply—“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
The Spirit of God directs your prayer because the Spirit understands what Satan is up to. You don’t.
Paul knew he did not fight alone. We need to pray for one another, because we fight alongside one another. (See Ephesians 6:18.) Divine energy comes when Christians lock arms, join forces, and fight together.
The Church is a battle station, where you reinforce yourself and get spiritual intuition, power, and encouragement to go out into the fight.
Choose sides carefully—because if you don’t follow Jesus, you are on the losing side. Examine your heart and make sure you have all the armor of God on.
Don’t try to be neutral. You can’t. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matthew 12:30).
Last, rejoice in the victory, and live victoriously every day.
