Christian Warfare
We are indebted to the veterans who have protected our country from physical harm down through the years. But there is also a spiritual battle that has been going on with Satan since the creation. Paul told Timothy to "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:12) and that "You must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3).
In our spiritual battle with Satan we must be prepared for the fight and to protect ourselves by taking "up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day" (Ephesians 6:13). We cannot be partially prepared. We must "stand" and have girded our "waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14). We are to be truthful in all we say and do, and we are to live a righteous and devout life.
We are to shod our "feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15). The Christian is always ready and eager to go and spread the gospel to others. We must take up "the shield of faith which is able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16). We overcome temptation and persecution by our faith in God.
We must "take the helmet of salvation" (Ephesians 6:17). The assurance of our great salvation keeps us going when we are tempted and tried. In our fight with Satan we must use "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17) as a powerful defensive and offensive weapon. "For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
In our battle we must be "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18). We must be steadfast in our prayers to God with our thanksgiving, confession of sins, and pleas for help. And as a soldier of Christ we are to be "watchful to this end with all perseverance" (Ephesians 6:18). We are to be spiritually alert as we watch out for our enemy, Satan. We must persevere all the days of our life. Jesus says, "Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). If we put on the whole armor of God and remain faithful, Satan cannot defeat the faithful Christian.