Spiritual Warfare

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (Ephesians 6:10)

For several weeks, I have been reflecting on Ephesians 6:10-20. If you’re not familiar, this is a passage of Scripture that speaks to our calling as Christians to engage in spiritual warfare. Now it might be tempting for your mind to immediately think of The Exorcist and extraordinary phenomena that typically is associated with the phrase. However, to think of the term in that way is to define it too narrowly. 

We should, rather, think of spiritual warfare as part of our vocational call as Christians to push back darkness and to battle against the schemes of Satan. Those schemes could at times involve extraordinary encounters. And yet, more often than not, the tactics of Satan and demons are far more subtle and subversive. As Dallas Willard once pointed out, when Satan attacked Eve in the garden, he didn’t hit her with a stick but with an idea. His sly tactics usually involve undermining the word of God and calling into question the truths therein. During these difficult times, he might be calling into question the truth that God is your ever watchful Shepherd; that God has promised to always care for you, provide for you, and protect you. He might be calling into question the certainty of your salvation in Christ, and thus trying to steal away your assurance and joy.

What then shall you do? Engage in spiritual warfare. How do you do that? Read Ephesians 6:10-20 and see exhortations that involve prayer, taking up God’s word, living in obedience to God’s word, enlisting others in your church family, and more. But it all begins with the most foundational truth of living and fighting from your union with Christ. Notice how Paul says to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Where does your strength to fight come from? Christ. To whom are you covenantally and spiritually united forever, through the Holy Spirit? Christ. He is with you. He is your strength. And he fully equips you. Therefore, as you battle to believe God’s word and to be assured of your salvation in these troubled times, let your union with Christ be your foundation.

- Pastor Garrison Greene