Hiding or Fighting! What are We Doing?

Let us begin by understanding the purpose of our salvation. We are saved to be a part of God’s army in the world today. If we are not aware that we are engaged in an active war against the elements of this world, then we are ignorant concerning these things. First, we need to know that we are in a fight, a battle, a war, and God leads us against the powers of darkness and we are God’s warriors in this ensuing battle. Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle [fight] against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We are in a battle and if we are not fighting, we are helping our enemy instead of destroying them!

Satan, demonic activity, spiritual darkness are all realities according to the above text. We don’t see them, but we are in an active fight against them. How then do we gain victory over them? We can only do this when we allow the Spirit of God, who sees them in full view, to lead us, guide us and to give us the victory over this unseen realm that we are fighting against. Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” We are to be aware of the battle we fight. Our intelligence [The Spirit of God and the Word of God] has given us a good idea of what is required to help us overcome this unseen enemy. We begin by putting on the full armor of God so that we can be victorious!

Now we know that we can only be victorious when we allow God’s Holy Spirit to lead us. But in fighting this unseen enemy we need to equip ourselves with weapons that can hurt them and in so doing give us the victory. 2nd Corinthians 10:4-5 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” When we do this, God takes His rightful place in commanding, directing, and demolishing all the vices that the enemy tries to use against us. 2nd Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

Angels, demons, and spiritual warfare are a part of our world. We are unable to see them but we don’t have to be afraid of them. God has given us a powerful weapon against temptation and accusation. He has given us His Word, the Bible, to remind us of who He is, who we are, and what is true! The Holy Spirit brings God’s promises to mind when we need them the most. We can always have victory over the schemes of the devil by filling our minds with the truth of God’s Word. 1st Peter 5:8-9 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Then in James 4:7 we read: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We have a guaranteed promise of victory when we heed to God’s Word.