The Right Tools to Deal with Spiritual Warfare

Khen Lim



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Today we are in the fight of our lives. Everywhere we read in the news and on the Internet, there are wars, strife and armed conflicts of the kind far worse than any of us could imagine before. It has been estimated that from 3600BC till today, there have been more than 14,500 wars and counting. In fact in that same period, for 5,305 years of war, there have only been 292 years of peace.

But if you’ve just awoken to a brisk and snappy morning looking over a balcony in Cameron Highlands and checking out a glorious sunrise, you might not feel the danger let alone understand what all that is about. This conflict, however, is seriously real and very dangerous. Paul places the stress on the reality of this struggle, emphasising that it is both very difficult and dangerous. Will we ever put on the whole armour of God if we think this spiritual battle is overhyped let alone real, difficult and dangerous?

Every Christian needs to know how to battle evil. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians clearly outline detailed instructions on how to battle evil:

Step 1: The Belt (of Truth)

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“Stand firm in the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (6:14), it says. The belt of truth concerns two places—our hearts and minds. Truth secures us in Christ and renders all pieces of armour effective. The belt of truth upholds all our armoured pieces in place. As Ps 86:11 reminds us, “Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth!” and with that, let us commit ourselves daily to walk and bathe in the light of God’s truth.

Step 2: The Breastplate (of Righteousness)

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“With the breastplate of righteousness in place” (6:14), a soldier goes to war boldly and with confidence. The devil is persistent in his attacks, spewing lies and corrupting minds, falsely accusing and taunting us with our past sins. Without the breastplate of righteousness, all of these will pierce our hearts and ruin our spiritual integrity. Let us become aware of who we are in Jesus Christ. Let us, indeed, come boldly into His presence (Heb 4:16).

Step 3: The Shoes (of Peace and Preparation)

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“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared” (6:15). Secure footwear enable us to step freely and fearlessly so that we can focus on the battle at hand. Shoes aid us in as much our movement and dexterity as our defence. The shoes that God provides will propel us forward in our proclamation of true peace, which can only be available in Christ. Let us therefore prepare our-selves to let the Lord lead no matter what.

Step 4: The Shield (of Faith)

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“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (6:16). The shield not only defends us from bodily blows but also our armour. The shield of faith, according to Scripture, specifically quenches all fiery darts of the wicked. Take note—’all,’ not some. The shield will move with the attack regardless of the direction.

Step 5: The Helmet (of Salvation)

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“Take the helmet of salvation” (6:17), Paul says. The apostle points to our mind as Satan’s target and his weapon are lies. In other words, the enemy is driving us to doubt God and His promise of salvation. But by wearing the helmet to protect our minds, we can be safe from Satan’s volleys of lies hurled to cause us to question God’s saving work for us. 1 Thess 5:8 says, “Since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armour of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet of the hope and salvation.” 

Step 6: The Sword (of the Spirit)

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Put on “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (6:17). In our armoury, the sword remains the only exclusive offensive weapon; yet the Word is also a tool for defence against strongholds, arguments, accusations, lies and undermining thoughts for these are the ordnances of the devil. With the Sword of the Spirit or God’s Word, we are equipped to handle whatever Satan throws at us. We only need to be fully reliant on God’s Word. Let us therefore have confidence in the value of God’s Word. Let us be hungry and desirous of it.

Step 7: Prayer

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“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (6:18). This one has nothing to do with physical weaponry but more an issue of attitude. Victory, in other words, depends on whether or not the army possesses the crucial element of surprise.

In Gideon’s story, the soldiers were specifically selected for their watchfulness (attitude) in which they successfully used in catching the enemy asleep. Even the thickest armour or the sharpest sword is useless if the soldiers are lazy or dozing off. We are asked to be “watchful to this end with all perseverance” (6:18).

Matt 26:41 says as much about prayer as Mk 13:33 and 1 Thess 5:6. While praying doesn’t require us to be on our knees all day, it does suggest that we be constantly aware of God’s presence in light of a persistent and dangerous enemy lurking in our midst.

Step 8: Try to reach directly to a need or opportunity

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We are to distribute His armour—physically and spiritually—by extending our hands and speaking the mind of Christ as we can. Each ‘equipped’ (armed) believer of Christ is ‘worded up’ with the ability to do good to and for Christ, to Him personally by doing it to His family including widows, orphans, the lame and infirmed, the old and the misfortunate among Jesus’ brothers and sisters.

Some Useful Tips and Cautions

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To sustain ourselves against all daily adversities (and adversaries), pick up and wear this Armour of God on your own. Do not ask others to do it for you but instead do it on your own accord.

Learn to magnify the Lord. Glorify Him with everything you’ve got and “enter His gates of thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His Name” (Ps 100:4).

However be on your toes. Make yourself alert against evil. Do not cede ground but instead stand firmly. “After you have put on all of the Armour, stand.”

Never be exposed to Satan on your own – remember, we don’t stand a chance in any such confrontation until and unless we put on the Armour of God. That way, we will always remain protected, for in wearing it, we are now able to take our stand for what is right, good and helpful. No matter how difficult or dangerous, we will always be divinely protected.