What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Warfare?

We are told to put on the armor of God because there is an invisible enemy seeking to destroy us, so what does the Bible say about spiritual warfare?

The Invisible Enemy

We are told to put on the armor of God because there is an invisible enemy seeking to destroy us, so what does the Bible say about spiritual warfare? Paul warns us to “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” (Eph 6:11-12). It’s hard enough to wrestle with flesh and blood. Now try it with invisible demons!

Belt of Truth

Next, Paul instructs us to “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph 6:14). Just like a belt holds everything together for the solider, the truth of Scripture and of salvation must be firmly fastened for it holds all other things together.

Breastplate of Righteousness

The Apostle Paul goes on to tell us to “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph 6:14), so what is this breastplate? The breastplate protects our vital organs like our lungs, heart, and in similar fashion, we are protected from God’s wrath by having Jesus’ own righteousness to us (2 Cor 5:21). Even when we feel condemned, by our own feelings or by others, God says there is no more condemnation for those in Christ (Rom 8:21). When the accuser reminds you of your past, remind him of his future (Rev 20:10). You have Jesus’ own righteousness as a breastplate and nothing can pierce it (Rom 8:35-39).

Gospel of Peace

Paul adds to the armor of God by telling us that, “as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15). What is the “gospel of peace?” It is making peace with God through Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1). We cannot know the peace of God until we’ve made peace with God. We need to take this gospel to others, in these shoes, using every opportunity to share the “gospel of peace.” You should know the gospel well enough that you could share it with an accident victim who only has 3 minutes to live.

Shield of Faith

In preparing the church for a spiritual battle, Paul wrote, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Eph. 6:16). Why would Paul describe faith as a shield? If we rightly understood our standing in Christ and that we are held firmly in the grasp of Jesus and the Father’s hands (John 10:28-29), then we would feel the same kind of security a soldier feels behind a shield under attack. If we “take up the shield of faith,” even with the Enemy is constantly flinging fiery darts at us, so the “shield of faith can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Eph 6:16). Skeptics, atheists, family, and co-workers will also shoot fiery darts at you.

The shield of faith is able to extinguish the wicked spirit’s fiery darts that will be fired at them.

Helmet of Salvation

If we are to be fully equipped, we must “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17) We want to protect what goes into our minds, so we must “take the helmet of salvation” and then put it on (Eph. 6:17). We must constantly guard our minds, thoughts, and actions and take them captive. The Apostle Paul says “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” (2 Cor. 10:4-5). The assurance of our salvation is our helmet; renewing our minds while rejecting our doubts!

Sword of the Spirit

… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Finally, we must “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17b). We already know what the Sword is. Paul says it “is the word of God,” or Scripture. That is the same weapon Jesus’ used in rebuking Satan in the wilderness, even as Satan took text out of context to create a false pretext. Before we use God’s Word as a sword, first use it first as a mirror. When it mentions the Sword, we notice that it is the short sword, not the long one. The shorter sword was used in close combat or hand to hand combat. For us, its mind to mind combat, but we have the reserve of God’s Word to quote back to the enemy. If you memorize or hide God’s Word in your heart, it can help you resist temptation—the psalmist wrote, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Other Scriptures that have helped many are “I have made a vow with my eyes” (Job 31:1)…”If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear me” (Psalm 66). Use the sword when you tempted, when you’re angry or when you’re frustrated or hurt. It is the very power of God.

Conclusion

Doubt will keep you out of the Bible…The Bible will keep you out of doubt;

Anxiety will keep you out of the Bible…The Bible will keep you out of anxiety;

Depression will keep you out of the Bible…The Bible will keep you out of depression.

You get the idea. There is such power in God’s Word if we’d only tap it daily. The Sword must be kept sharp because rust never sleeps. Been attacked? Pull out the Sword; quote Scripture, pray always and then you can stand firm against the schemes of the Devil.

Here is some related reading for you: 7 Powerful Prayers for Spiritual Warfare

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: Armor of God, Demons, Spiritual Attacks, Spiritual Warfare, Wicked Spirits