Are You Aware of the Battle?

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Are you aware of the spiritual warfare around you?

In Ephesians 6:10, Paul emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s strength, stating, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” As Klyne Snodgrass notes, “The passive form of the verb (“be strong”) indicates that this empowering is something done to Christians, not something they do themselves; its present tense shows the empowering is continual.”^[1]

This strength is not something we muster on our own; it is rooted in God’s power. Before his encounter with Jesus, Paul was strong in his own abilities—his knowledge, training, and social status. But once he met Christ, he realized that all his earthly strength was inadequate.

Next, Paul urges us to identify our true enemy. In verses 11-12, he says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness.” The word “struggle” here conveys a close, intense combat. The terms Paul uses—rulers, authorities, cosmic powers—remind us that this is a coordinated, hierarchical force of evil.

To engage in this battle effectively, we must be fully equipped with the armor of God. Paul describes this armor in detail in verses 13-17. He begins with the belt of truth, which was essential for a soldier to gather his clothing before a fight. Putting on the belt of truth means embracing the truth of Christ and allowing it to shape every aspect of our lives.

Next is the breastplate of righteousness, which guards our hearts against the enemy’s attacks. Righteousness, rooted in God’s character, provides a solid defense against temptation. The shoes of peace give us stability, much like the sturdy footwear of a Roman soldier. When we are grounded in the peace of Christ, we can stand firm, even in turbulent times.