Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-13)
It is seemingly odd to many that the Apostle Paul ends his eloquent letter to the Ephesians discussing spiritual warfare. He started the letter with an elaboration on our spiritual blessings in Christ. This glorious standing we have as adopted children of God is elaborated in the first three chapters. Then he became very practical, discussing how our position in Christ should radically alter the way we live, work, behave, think, feel, speak, and relate with others in the context of marriage, parental, and employment relationship. His exhortation ends in an unexpected turn, reminding Christians that in taking that spiritual journey in Christ, we will have turbulent times. In fact, he essentially said that we are virtually at war with the Devil.
This perpetual battle with the Evil One is an inevitable consequence of our lives in Christ. Salvation in Christ brings upon us a peace with God on the one hand, and a war with Satan on the other hand. There is no neutral ground. We are soldiers forever in active duty ready to engage the enemy in a spiritual fight. Woe to those who say that life in Christ consists of peaceful, serene, happy lives with no conflict and struggle. It may come as a shock to a new believer to learn that the Christian life is a battlefield and not a Wonderland or Disneyland. But think of it as a shock therapy. Because then we have to get comfy to be foot soldier in this spiritual combat. Why? Because as this new Christian starts to know Christ and grow in the maturity of faith, he or she will find him/herself as a combatant in a battlefield. The more she is willing to trust and obey God, submit to Him radically, the more she feels the thick of the pressure in that war.
On the other hand, there is something terribly wrong that if you and I have lived our lives as Christians for years and years, but never experience a spiritual struggle. There is something seriously mistaken in our Christian live if we never shed tears in prayer before the Sovereign God when we are tempted by Satan. We need to seriously question our faith if we have no, as one author put it, " tug-of-war for your soul" because that means our lives will not be different from non-believers who are under the influence of the Evil One: "You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-2).
Note that every Christian is at war. It does not make any difference if you a new believer or a spiritual giant like Charles Spurgeon, Billy Graham, or Richard Foster. You know what? In fact, if you are Spurgeon, Graham, or Foster, you are more likely to experience the Devil's attacks that are more subtle, rigorous, and deadly. Here is the irony of this spiritual battle. Yes, it is true that our obedience and submission to God is the greatest weapon in defeating our foe, but the more we strive to do that, the more lethal the attacks launched by Satan. Those of us who preach week in and week out must beware. The mere fact that we do a 'monologue' for 30-60 minutes in the pulpit every Sunday can turn us into a spiritually delusional, self-righteous person.
That is why Paul wrote “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (2:10). Be continually strengthened in the Lord. The only way we can survive and win is by relying solely and wholly on God. One author put it well: "Self-sufficiency in spiritual struggles is spiritual suicide." The phrase "in the power of His might" is an important one, referring to God's power that resurrected Christ from the dead (1:20), who become ours by virtue of our redeemed status in Christ. Not only that it is a mighty power. But we are also strengthened in the truth of Christ's death on the cross has conquered Satan and the power of death. Jesus is seated far above all principality and powers (1:20). This victory already took place, but is yet to be brought into consummation when He returns. In the meantime, we Christians are at war and as long as we fight with our spiritual eyes turn upon Jesus, we can experience the power of His might working in us.
When was the last time you had that spiritual sensitivity that Satan was making his move on you and you felt tempted, but you tried to fight it by kneeling, praying, reading His word, meditating on and memorizing it, and asking for strength from God?
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