Get War Ready
Spiritual Warfare: A Real Battle with Real Effects
Today, we’re continuing our series, Winning the War Within, and we’re diving into a topic that’s essential but often overlooked: spiritual warfare.
Over the last two weeks, we’ve talked about how to react to anxiety and stress. But today, we’re shifting gears to focus on how to be proactive — not just reactive — when it comes to our inner struggles. The reality is, the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of darkness have been at war since the beginning of time, and the battle is over you.
Let’s open up to Ephesians 6, where Paul gives us a clear strategy for standing strong in this spiritual war.
1. Acknowledge That You Are in a Spiritual War
The first step to winning a spiritual battle is acknowledging that you’re in one.
Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-12, calling us to be strengthened by the Lord and to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil. He reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of darkness.
It’s easy to forget or ignore this truth. We often try to fight our battles in physical ways — through hard work, discipline, and sheer willpower — but spiritual ground is only taken through spiritual means.
I remember a young man who attended our young adults’ ministry years ago. He came with a troubled past and often seemed deeply unsettled during services. I noticed a pattern: during the preaching, he would get angry, leave the room, and almost shut down emotionally. One night, he vomited all over the church walls and asked for an ambulance to take him away.
When I spoke with the family that had taken him in, I asked if they thought he might be possessed. They said it was a strong possibility. I never saw him again after he moved away, but the experience taught me something critical: spiritual warfare is real.
Anytime we take spiritual ground, the enemy takes notice — and he hates it. If you’ve ever made a move toward God, whether by reading your Bible, committing to church, or stepping into a new season of faith, you’ve probably experienced unexpected obstacles, temptations, or distractions. That’s not a coincidence.
The enemy isn’t concerned about people who are sitting on the bench. But the moment you get in the game, you become a threat. Don’t be surprised when opposition comes; it means you’re doing something right.
2. Get War Ready
Once we acknowledge the spiritual war, the next step is to get war ready. Paul tells us how in Ephesians 6:13-17, where he describes the armor of God.
Each piece of this armor represents a spiritual truth that protects us from attack:
The Belt of Truth: Knowing the truth of God’s Word helps us detect the lies of the enemy. Without truth, we’re left guessing, and that’s no way to fight a spiritual battle.
The Breastplate of Righteousness: This isn’t our righteousness but Christ’s righteousness, gifted to us through faith. It protects our heart and reminds us of our secure standing with God.
The Sandals of the Gospel of Peace: The gospel is our foundation, just as shoes are essential for a soldier. Without the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have nothing to stand on.
The Shield of Faith: This shield not only blocks but extinguishes the fiery darts of the evil one — arrows of worry, anxiety, and discouragement.
The Helmet of Salvation: Our salvation protects our mind and thought life, reminding us that we belong to God.
The Sword of the Spirit: The only offensive weapon in the armor of God is His Word. We win spiritual battles by abiding in Christ and using Scripture to confront the lies and attacks of the enemy.
3. Pray at All Times
The final piece of our strategy comes in Ephesians 6:18, where Paul tells us to pray at all times, stay alert, and persevere in intercession for all the saints.
Spiritual battles aren’t won through sheer willpower; they’re won through prayer. We need to stay connected to God, continually seeking Him, and covering ourselves and others in prayer.
One of the most eye-opening books on spiritual warfare is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. In it, an experienced demon advises his apprentice that their best work isn’t done by putting things into people’s minds but by keeping things out.
That line has stuck with me. The enemy’s most effective tactic isn’t always planting evil thoughts — it’s keeping God’s truth out of our minds. When we find ourselves distracted, disconnected from Scripture, or struggling to prioritize our faith, that may very well be a spiritual attack.
Winning the War Within
Spiritual warfare is real, and if we want to win, we have to be aware of it, get equipped with the armor of God, and stay connected through prayer.
Not every bad thing that happens is the devil’s work — sometimes it’s just life, poor decisions, or misaligned priorities. But the enemy will use anything he can to get you off track, to make you doubt, and to keep you from experiencing the fullness of life God has for you.
So today, let’s choose to stand firm. Let’s acknowledge the battle, put on our spiritual armor, and pray without ceasing. Because when we do, we won’t just survive the war within — we’ll win it.