It's a Spiritual Battle

"For we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Ephesians 6:12-13

I cannot count how many times I have read these verses in my own personal devotion time, or how many times I have heard them preached from the pulpit, or taught in Sunday School class and yet when I read them this morning, God spoke to me in a new way, showed me new things, and reminded me of where my battle is truly taking place.  I'm so thankful that we serve a Living God and that He has given us His Living Word!

Let's define some words before I share how the Lord spoke to my heart this morning.

Wrestle-To contend, to combat, to trip

Principalities-Various applications of order, time, place or rank

Powers-Privilege, influence, authority, jurisdiction

Rulers-World ruler, Satan

Darkness-Absence of light, shadiness, obscurity

World-Age, a particular period

Wickedness-Malice, iniquity

High-Celestial

Places-In all places, everywhere

I had to ask myself a hard question when I read these verses today.  "If we wrestle not with flesh and blood, why do I try so hard to use my flesh in the battle?"  Why do I try to fix things on my own?  Why do I seek my husband or friends to help me in my battle?

I was reminded this morning that in order to wrestle against spiritual darkness, I must wrestle wearing my spiritual armour! My earthly friends cannot help me fight my spiritual battles, but my Heavenly Father fights my spiritual battle for me!  He equips me with Spiritual Armour and through prayer and the promises of God, the battle is won!

I was also reminded that I must put on the 'whole' armour of God. When I leave off an important part of my armour, I've given Satan a foothold to pierce me in the weakest area of my life!  But when I put on the Whole armour of God, God enables me to not only stand, but to withstand!

To 'withstand' means 'to stand up against, oppose with firm determination, resist successfully. '

In other words, during my Spiritual battle, I am not defending myself...but rather, I'm fighting my battle offensively!

'Having done all,' means I have not left anything out in my battle.  I am armed and ready for Victory!  In Spiritual warfare it's important to know our enemy, and it's important to claim our victory in Christ!

Every morning as soon as my feet hit the floor...

    I must put on the whole armour of God...

        And through prayer and God's Word, I am prepared for today's battle...

            But that's just me!

"The devil whispered in my ear, "You're not strong enough to withstand the storm."

Today I whispered in the devil's ear, "I have on the full armour of God, I am the storm!"