Introduction to Spiritual Warfare
Throughout the vast array of conflicts in the annals of human history, none can be equated with the profound spiritual struggle in which all Christians engage. This spiritual warfare is a cosmic clash occurring within an invisible sphere, and it underpins all the turmoil we perceive in the tangible world. The key to triumph in our observable reality lies in effectively confronting this hidden struggle. This is the essence of our trials. Regardless of the challenges you face in your life, it is your capacity to navigate the unseen that will define your success in the seen. Here's the heartening truth: you are not waging this war in pursuit of victory; you are waging it from a stance of victory already secured.
Ephesians 6:10-20 (The Whole Armor of God)10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [b]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. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, 19 and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
The triumph that Jesus Christ has secured assures the ultimate outcome. Your task is to utilize the tools God has furnished every believer with—namely, the six pieces of spiritual armor. The initial trio is meant to be donned continuously, while the remaining three are to be wielded as circumstances demand. When employed in full, these pieces assure victory, for victory is not a goal to be reached but a starting point, thanks to Christ's accomplishments. We aim to assist you in harnessing the victory already bestowed upon you by God in the unseen realm so that its manifestation becomes evident in the seen realm.
To engage effectively in spiritual warfare and emerge victoriously, one must first comprehend the essence and chronicle of the strife between God and Satan. It is a fundamental understanding that the dynamics influence the events we witness in the tangible, visible domain in the supernatural, invisible realm.
For a more detailed discussion, please consult the following sections:
- Are there any other references to this armor in the Bible?
Isaiah 59:17
17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Romans 13:11-14
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
2 Corinthians 6:7
7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2 Corinthians 10:3
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
Romans 8:37-39
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.