The Invisible Battlefield

We are at war! And the conflict in which we are engaged is unlike any warfare mankind can wage against humanity, for the forces to be reckoned with are more threatening than any natural force known and the stakes are eternal!

The Bible makes it clear that as believers this warfare involves a foe that is not of this world. Equipped with greater weaponry than the military might of any nation or international power, our enemy opposes us in the spirit realm in the battle of the ages, “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12 ).

Identify the Enemy

It is imperative that you determine who your enemy really is and be spiritually prepared for battle. Preparation for spiritual warfare requires the application of spiritual principles revealed in the Word of God.

Never underestimate the capabilities of your adversary or the deceptiveness he will use in his attempt to defeat you. Satan does not fight alone. Let's quickly examine the five divisions of Satan's army mentioned in Ephesians 6:12.

The five divisions in Satan's army include:

1. Spirits or demons—the Word of God says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.”

2. Principalities—from the Greek word arche ; chief rulers of the highest rank.

3. Powers—from the Greek word exousia or “authorities.” These authorities operate under the chief rulers, executing their will.

4. Rulers of the darkness of this world—world rulers of darkness; natural men who possessed demonic powers. “This world” (cosmos) binds them to the natural and refers to governments or individuals in high authority in this world who are demon led or directed.

5. Spiritual wickedness in high places—wicked spirits in the heavens; fallen angels.

Be Strong in the Lord

Strength to subdue and defeat the enemy is not found in the natural; it is found in the Lord. The Bible commands us as believers to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Eph. 6:10 ).

The Greek implies the command to “be strengthened” in Christ's might, as is promised to the believer: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Eph. 1:19 ).

Recognize who you are in Christ and acknowledge the real source of your strength. Don't attempt to fight the forces of hell alone, for the power to subdue and defeat the enemy does not rest in your strength; it comes from the Lord. Luke 10:19 declares, “ I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Clothe Yourself with the Armor of God

A prepared soldier will not go into battle without the appropriate armor. The potential for victory in a battle hinges upon suitable armor and appropriate weaponry. A spiritual battle requires spiritual weapons. It's impossible to avert the attacks of the devil and prevail against his strategies in your own strength. The Word of God instructs, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11 ).

The Word of God continues on this theme stating, “Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Eph. 6:13 ).

Subsequent Scriptures describe essential armor and weaponry for the believer's use in withstanding and defeating the enemy. It is interesting to note that the first five pieces of armor have a defensive purpose while the remaining two pieces are for an offensive purpose. Defensive armor provides protection for the vital organs of the soldier when facing the enemy in battle. From a spiritual perspective, the whole armor of God, applied and used properly, provides full protection and enables the believer to hold his ground against the enemy until victory comes.

The Armor of God

1. “Loins girt about with truth” (Eph. 6:14 ).
Your loins deal with your mind. Peter said, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Pet. 1:13 ). Fill your mind with the Word; the door to the Spirit comes through the mind.

2. “The breastplate of righteousness” (Eph. 6:14 ).
The breastplate covers the vital organs and speaks of the heart. The breastplate of righteousness fortifies the heart against the attacks of the enemy. Allow the righteousness revealed in God's Word to influence your mind and touch your heart. When the truth of God's Word touches your mind and heart, it brings transformation and renewal ( Rom. 12:2).

3. “Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15 ).
The Word of God must affect your walk or your life. This happens as the Word fills your mind, touches your heart, and is manifest or seen in your walk. It all begins with your mind. You begin to read the Word and hear the Word; it begins to influence and fill your heart with truth. This affects your actions in your daily life.

4. “The shield of faith” (Eph. 6:16 ).
Faith brings powerful results, for when faith is joined with the results of the Word in your mind, heart, and life, the Word of God declares, “ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Armed with the Word of God and faith, we can withstand the onslaught of the enemy and render his fiery darts ineffective.

5. “The helmet of salvation ” (Eph. 6:17 ).
In the natural the helmet protects the head from injury in battle. Some mistakenly believe that the helmet deals with the mind. However, the helmet of salvation deals with doctrine. Once the truth enters your mind, touches your heart, affects your life and walk, and is manifest in your actions, it becomes your nature. The helmet of salvation deals with your nature, your character, your doctrine; what you believe is who you are. The doctrine of the Word makes you balanced, stable. You are not moved by error or taken by false teaching. The helmet of salvation is the doctrine of the Word that brings balance to your life, and keeps you walking steady and balanced with the Spirit and in the Spirit.

6. “The sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17 ).
All the armor up to this point has served a defensive purpose, intended for use in facing the enemy. Each piece of armor provided protection from an attack. And although the Word of God is connected to each element of God's armor , the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, for it is used as an offensive weapon against the enemy.

The Word of God protects you against the enemy, affecting your mind, your heart, your walk, your actions, as well as your nature, character, and life. As your life becomes strong and established, the “ sword of the Spirit” becomes an offensive weapon against the enemy. Unmovable, unshakable, and because of the truth within, you are able to stand against the enemy.

In three consecutive instances Jesus Christ Himself used the Word of God as He resisted Satan's temptation, saying, “It is written …” (Matt. 4:4, 6, 7). Armed with the sword of the Spirit, you can take back the territory that belongs to you, including your family, your finances, and your health because you've strengthened yourself in the Spirit.

7. “Prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18 ).
The final weapon is what keeps you, and that's prayer. Prayer that covers and clothes you like a mantle, for the Bible declares, “ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”

Seven pieces of armor…seven weapons of war. The Word is in my MIND . The Word is in my HEART . The Word is reflected in my WALK . The Word is in my FAITH or my ACTIONS . The Word is in my CHARACTER . The Word is in my MOUTH which is the sword of the Spirit, which is the offensive weapon—and now PRAYER that covers me like a mantle.