The Believer's War Cry

Ephesians 6:10-15
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle 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. 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, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

A righteous believer is Satan's enemy. The greater our impact for God's kingdom, the harder he works to stir up frustration, doubt, and anxiety. The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesian believers, warning them that the Devil would scheme against a successful Christian life.

Satan loathes those who please the Lord with their lifestyle, and he rallies the "spiritual forces of wickedness" to attack believers in mind, body, and spirit (Ephesians 6:12). His primary goal is to divert our attention from the Lord so that our relationship suffers and our witness is weakened or ruined. The Devil cannot snatch our eternal spirit from God's hand (John 10:29), but he will settle for leading us to make a mess of this present life.

Paul counseled the saints to "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might" (Ephesians 6:10). Fending off a satanic attack is not done in our own strength. No man or woman can match wits with the Adversary. He is smarter and stronger than even the most intelligent people. Instead, we are continually empowered by God through the Holy Spirit, who is far greater than Satan (1 John 4:4).

Believers have God's strength and His orders, which are to stand firm. That means we're to trust the Lord and wait patiently for Him to intervene. We are to be like a soldier on the battlefield, who digs his heels into the ground, puts up his shield, and stands ready for the oncoming enemy. The war is already won--our soul belongs to God--but the battle for our testimony on earth rages on. Stand firm.