We are in a Battle

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016) 

There is a war we are involved in.  We cannot ignore it, and we cannot fight through our own strength.  God gives us His Spirit and His resources which are enough to overcome.  “A fortress or stronghold is a mind-set that holds you hostage.  It makes you believe that you are hopelessly locked in a situation, that you are powerless to change.” (Evans, 1998)  The devil does not want you to realize that God has already won the war, and He enables us to win the remaining battles.  This requires dependence on God.

“See, you are not responsible for every thought that flashes into your mind. ... But you are responsible for what you do with it once it is there.  Our job is to recognize and dismiss evil thoughts.” (Evans, 1998)  What types of thoughts does Satan use against you?  Does he say you have no value?  You can’t do what God has laid on your heart to do?  You can’t gain victory over sin in your life?  What you are doing isn’t really sin even though the Bible says it is?  Change in another’s heart is not possible?  Someone is beyond hope?  There is no hope for change in your life?  You have to earn His love?  God will not take care of you?  You have to solve problems all by yourself?  No one cares?  God cannot provide someone to help with the work that needs to be done?  Our battles are not identical, but they are shared by many.  We need to know the truth found in God’s Word and apply it to our lives.  We need to claim His promises and know that we are His beloved child.  Grace is freely given and available to us and others. God has made a way for us to be victorious in our walk with Him.

We are in a war, but our enemies are not people.  It is a spiritual battle.  Christ has already won the victory, so we are fighting from a place of victory.  Ephesians 6:10-13 explains, “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.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016)

“You can’t beat Satan in your own authority, because you don’t have any.  The key is that you have been raised and seated with Christ.  Satan knows he can handle you, but he knows he can’t handle Christ.

“The devil’s strategy is to keep you from living your life in the power of Christ, claiming the authority that is yours because you are under His blood.” (Evans, 1998)


One of the important ways we do warfare is through prayer.  “Listen to me carefully: Prayer is the mechanism that brings down the power of heaven into your experience.  It is the divinely authorized method that activates your spiritual armor and makes it effective.  … I believe I can say it as bluntly as this: Unless prayer is a vital and thriving part of your life, you will never achieve spiritual victory.” (Shirer, 2018)

Ephesians 6:18 says, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”. (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016)

I think Satan tries to keep us from praying.  He distracts with good things we can do, time we can waste, stray thoughts, and just not realizing that prayer really makes a difference.  Persistence in prayer is also important.  Prayer breaks through the forces of evil to allow God to work with us.  It is inviting Him into the problems we are facing.  It is important to hold others up in prayer too.

Pastor Thom Keller of Calvary Chapel in Lebanon PA has some powerful things to say on this in the following video.

Do you pray before, during, and after ministry opportunities?  Do you pray for your co-workers?  Do you pray for the needs in the lives of those you are helping?  Do you pray for God To help you with the battles you are facing in your own personal life? Do you remember that God is bigger than anything Satan can throw at you?  Praying you will be victorious in what you are facing this month.

Works Cited

Evans, T. (1998). The Battle is the Lord's. Chicago: Moody Press.

Shirer, P. (2018). The Armor of God. Nashville: LifeWay Press.

The Holy Bible:English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.