Standing Firm in Spiritual Warfare

Happy Sabbath, friends!

When people prepare for war, they do not go unprepared. They gather what is necessary — a plan, proper equipment, nourishment, and protection — because entering battle without preparation would be unthinkable. Those who go to war understand they are stepping into a conflict that demands readiness, endurance, and intentionality.

As Christians, we too are engaged in a war — not a physical one, but a spiritual one. Our battle is not against people, nor is it fought with earthly weapons. It is a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, unfolding in unseen places and affecting our hearts, minds, and faith.

Because this war is spiritual, preparation looks different. We are called not only to recognize the battle, but to carry the right necessities with us — spiritual armor that enables us to stand firm and fight faithfully for our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:10–13 (NIV)
“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. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

In the World, But Not Like the World

We may live in this world, but we do not fight like the world. The Lord calls us into the world with a purpose — spreading His Good News — yet He does not desire for us to become like the world.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Jesus is the primary example of this truth. He was sent into the world, yet He never compromised who He was to avoid conflict, hardship, or opposition. He remained faithful to His Father and lived out the God-given purpose placed on His heart — just as He has called us to do.

John 17:14–19 (NIV)
“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”

Created With Purpose and Called to Surrender

You are here for a reason — an important reason. You were sent onto this earth to be instruments God uses to accomplish His purposes. We are called to surrender our lives to Christ and allow Him to take the driver’s seat, filling us with the strength, courage, and fearlessness needed to carry out His will.

Paul is a powerful example of this kind of surrender. He entrusted his life and future to One of higher authority and power, choosing obedience over comfort and faithfulness over ease.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

2 Timothy 2:20–21 (NIV)
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Trials, Victory, and the Power of God’s Word

In this life, we will be faced with many trials and hardships. Walking the narrow way was never promised to be easy, but we were promised eternal life if we surrender ourselves to our Heavenly Father.

Paul experienced this firsthand. Even while in captivity, he used his circumstances as an opportunity to preach God’s Word. Paul’s weapon in the spiritual battle was God’s Word. When we fight our battles with God’s Word, we can trust that the victory belongs to Him, because God is the First, the Last, and the everlasting Savior.

John 16:33 (NIV)
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””

Matthew 7:13–14 (NIV)
““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Philippians 1:12–13 (NIV)
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Isaiah 44:6 (NIV)
““This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”

Letting God Fight the Battle

Whenever you are faced with a battle in your own life, remember this — we will never win if we react out of anxiety, defensiveness, or the need to fix everything ourselves. I share this honestly, because I have been guilty of this myself.

The only way we truly win the battles we face is by relying on the Holy Spirit to fight on our behalf. God is, and always will be, the One who wins the battle. There is none like Him.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (NIV)
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 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. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”

Amen.