Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. - Ephesians 6:11
Have you ever noticed increased times of attempted spiritual oppression? Many Christians would look at that first question with great speculation and wonder at the legitimacy of the presupposition. However, even a casual reading of the New Testament would support the very real situation known as spiritual warfare. Paul would indicate that “we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 10:3) The “children of light” stand in direct conflict with the forces of darkness. Satan and his evil world system are hostile to everything that God does. By nature, he is anti-God and anti-Christ.
Satan himself is the very antithesis of every godly characteristic. God is holy, Satan is evil. God is love; Satan is the embodiment of hatred. God redeems; Satan attacks. Jesus reveals grace and truth (John 1:17), but Satan: “abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
God gives life, hope, and peace; whereas Satan breeds death (Hebrews 2:14) God produces through his Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Satan produces: "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.”
Paul in Ephesians 6 explains that our defensive strategy is to rely on Christ’s strength and put on our spiritual armor. “Stand against,” pictures a military battalion holding their ground while under attack.
The Book of Acts gives us an incredible narrative and example of the early church and its’ unique ministry patterns. As the historical account is given…a pattern is formed and quite evident. Spiritual oppression can be fought and overcome by our Savior Jesus Christ. His gospel redeems. His grace enables. His victory overcomes. Satan opposes everything that God does. So, when he does, don’t be overly concerned or think of it as unfair. Realize that trials and spiritual warfare show that you’re a threat to Satan’s system and you are an asset to Christ’s Kingdom. Church. Stand Firm.
- Pastor Jordan