The devil is our enemy; he is God's enemy. He will do anything to take down God, which means he is going after you and me, His beloved children. God meant for us to be courageous and to fight for His name, for truth. The devil wants us as sitting ducks, indulging in sin, while life pasts us by. Even if we aren't sinning, he wants us to go about our day just functioning getting through our daily jobs and responsibilities, leaving our swords, to collect dust under the bed. God didn't create us to be sinners, yet Eve and Adam chose that path disobeying God, setting our feet on that path. God won this fight for us as he redeemed us with His only son taking back sins hold over us. We are free from sin because of Jesus' work on the cross, but the devil doesn't want us to know that, so he will lie to you making you think you can't escape.
Fighting isn't easy. Fighting takes courage, determination, and going against the grain. Fighting always means there is an opponent.
- A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
- Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
- And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
We know the fight, but how do we fight. This fight is God's and we have to trust Him, seeking His will in all things. By following the word of God and praying in Christ's name, we gain traction. Ultimately, God is the one fighting for us. He is the one who already won the fight at the cross. So by obeying God, his word, praising His name and trusting Him COMPLETELY, then we take up the full armor of God and believe that the Lord will use us as a vessel for His name.
Trust Him and you will find freedom!