My great-grandfather was a Romanian sailor on the King Carol I warship during World War II. On October 10, 1941, he was one of twenty-one sailors who lost their lives when the ship hit a mine and sank near Varna, Bulgaria. Until the beginning of World War I, King Carol I had served as a cruise ship. Once the war started, the ship was transformed into a warship with guns and special armor for launching mines and grenades. While I’m proud and thankful for the legacy my great-grandfather left, I know that I am also engaged in war. It is a different kind of war—a spiritual one. Just as King Carol I was especially armored for war, I need to arm myself for the spiritual battles I face.
When we answered the call of Jesus to follow Him, we were transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Obviously, this infuriated the evil one. So it should be no surprise to us when Satan wants to steal our joy and peace and attempt to destroy God’s plan for our lives. The apostle Paul alerted the Ephesians that “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against . . . mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Nevertheless, we don’t need to worry! God has already told us how to get ready for battle. Paul said to “put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil” (Ephesians 6:13). This verse does not imply that the time of evil might come, but states that it will come. We must expect it and be prepared so that “after the battle [we] will still be standing firm” (Ephesians 6:13).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 5:1-12
More:
Read James 4:7 for more insights into what it takes to fight against evil.
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Are you engaged in spiritual warfare today? What piece of God’s armor are you putting on right now?
Gary Shultz on April 3, 2017 at 4:10 am
Hi Estera: Thanks for adding to Our Daily Journey. You do present me with a persistent question, because I totally agree with your point we are in a battle. As we review the armor in the scripture passage most are defensive and the verbiage commits us to “stand firm”. I can get in there and honker down with some of the better ones, but what is difficult for me is to know when to lay this all aside and do what is seen in the ODB reading today. We have our “dukes up” then clear eyes of compassion call to the need. I get stalled in between the war and the open arms of compassion. We need both, shifting between is a little grinding for me. My compassion side is not as evident when it should be. It seems to be much easier to stay in a defensive posture. Events of each day may call for both. If you are able to reply I would like to hear your views on maintaining both postures at once? Thanks Estra
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 10:48 am
Hi Gary, thank you for your thoughtful response and for sharing your struggles. It does seem that the ODB article and the ODJ one are at odds in a sense, doesn’t it? I agree with you that the events of each day may call for both a defensive posture and for open arms of compassion. I think a way to make the distinction is to think about who it is we need to be defensive toward and who it is we need to show compassion to. If we look in the Ephesians passage, Paul states we need to “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (6:11). Who is it we need to stand firm against? The devil. We need to put on God’s armor every day to “resist the enemy in the time of evil” (6:13). Satan is the accuser, the father of lies, the tempter, the enemy of our souls. And his objective is to steal, kill, destroy us and move us against God. We cannot stand against him alone. Throughout the entire book of Ephesians one of the main themes is God’s power that we have access to.
Who is it we need to show compassion to? If we read the Colossians passage (from the ODB reading), that context specifically refers to other believers. But we know from Jesus’ teachings and other passages in Scripture that we need to show compassion to all people. I hope this helps.
Monica Brands on April 3, 2017 at 11:10 am
Fascinating question, Gary, and I’m looking forward to hearing Estera’s thoughts. One verse that came to my mind reading your question is 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” While we need to be “wise as serpents” concerning forces that might lead us astray, I think it’s easy to assume the warfare language means it’s “us versus the world” when really the primary “war” is within ourselves, whether we will choose to respond to such forces with fear or anger, or remain rooted in Christ’s gentle love. Clothing ourselves in His self-sacrificing love even when it feels impossible is the challenge I struggle through in difficult times when it’d be easier to lash out.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 11:38 am
Thank you for your reply, Monica. A great perspective to meditate on – the war within ourselves. This is so true and I think something people tend to forget or ignore. Especially when we are faced with difficult situations, we forget we have a choice to make, either to lash out, as you say, or to remain rooted in Christ’s love. The idea of having a choice is a theme we see throughout Scripture starting with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Realizing I have a choice is so freeing! But it is not easy to make the right choice, hence the need to “put on all of God’s armor”.
jjw2855 on April 3, 2017 at 5:47 am
Welcome to ODJ Estera Pirosca Escobar and thank you for today’s devotion. What spoke to me specifically today was the part of Ephesians 6: 13 “… Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Yes we need to put on the whole armour of God so that we will still be standing firm after each battle.
As for our spiritual warfare it starts the day we accept Christ as our Saviour and decide to follow in His footsteps. As you have explained it does infuriate the evil one who wants to steal our joy and peace. This daily battle only ends for each individual believer when we leave this world to be with our Saviour. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15: 57.
At the moment my spiritual warfare is that the evil one is using my non Christian family members to torture me emotionally, I have to use the belt of truth around my waist, breastplate of righteousness in place, and the shield of faith to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Thank God for our Saviour, He has overcome the world. So we take heart, as He gives us victory. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John16: 33
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 10:55 am
Hi jjw2855, thank you for your kind words. And thank you for sharing about your very difficult situation. I’m praying right now that you would be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, and that you would live and pray in complete dependence upon the Holy Spirit. It is not easy to be in an environment where your own family doesn’t accept you because of your faith in Jesus. I pray the Holy Spirit would give you boldness, the words to speak when needed, and remind you of who you are in Him: unconditionally loved and accepted by God (John 3:16), rooted in Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:14-21), and more the conqueror through Jesus (Romans 8:28-39).
corgimom on April 3, 2017 at 6:14 am
Good day, ODJ family! A question related to the Bible passage — please explain to me what “praying in the Spirit” is. Is this as opposed to praying that is NOT in the Spirit? And I have a couple of prayer requests — my son who has been working out of country (and away from his young children) for the past 3 years has an opportunity for a job hear at home. Please pray that he will get it, if it is where God wants him to be. He is a man of faith and wants to be in God’s will. Also, we have a family member who was admitted to the hospital yesterday with severe internal bleeding. Please pray for healing. Thanks for joining me in prayer! “Where two or more are gathered in My name…”. Have a blessed day!
raptoreagle on April 3, 2017 at 6:49 am
Good day!
Praying in the spirit simply means praying/speaking in tongues.
God’s perfect will for your son will come to pass and our relative is healed in Jesus name!
sdwise on April 3, 2017 at 9:39 am
Good morning raptoreagle. I am trying to understand your definition of praying in the spirit. What scriptural suport do you offer for your answer that I may add to my studies.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 11:23 am
Hi raptoreagle, thank you for your reply. A close study of the Greek construction in the passage indicates “praying in the Spirit” means praying by means of the Spirit, or in accordance with the Spirit and His power. While it is possible Paul was referring to praying in tongues, the context here suggests otherwise. In the verses following verse 18, Paul asks the Ephesian believers to pray for specific requests. Based on what we know from other passages of Scripture that refer to praying in tongues, it would not be possible for Paul’s audience to make these specific prayers in tongues since they had no control over, and no knowledge of what they are saying when praying in tongues. It seems better to understand Paul as referring to praying in according with the Spirit’s will and power at all times. This kind of prayer is not limited to praying in tongues.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 11:13 am
Hello corgimom, thank you for a great question. The Greek translation of “praying in” means “by means of,” “with the help of,” “in the sphere of,” and “in connection to.” If we read verse 18 in context, praying by means of the Spirit or in accordance with the Spirit and His power, suggests prayer is another weapon of God’s armor that Paul is urging us to put on. How we pray is the key here. We ought to pray with the Spirit’s leading. Romans 8:26 tells us, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words..” Some questions that help me to assess whether I’m praying in accordance with the Spirit’s leading or not are: How often do I pray? What do I pray for God to do in my life and in the life of others? Who is the object of my prayer? Am I taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit in my prayer, or just saying a quick 2 minute prayer and moving on with my day?
Thank you also for sharing your prayer requests. I am praying right now for your son, that he would be a godly leader in his family and he would have boldness and faith to follow God’s will. I’m praying for your family member, that God, the Great Healer, would touch that person and heal them in Jesus’ Name.
sandy229 on April 3, 2017 at 1:49 pm
I’m praying for you and your family!
Shalom
Tom Felten on April 3, 2017 at 8:03 am
Welcome to the ODJ writing team, Estera! It’s truly a delight to have you on the team. As I think about the battles we face in life, so often I fail to see the spiritual nature of the challenges I face. It completely changes my view of others when I recognize the reality of spiritual warfare taking place in and around all of us. That’s why it’s so important to pray both for those who love us and for our enemies as well.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 11:27 am
Thank you so much, Tom. It has been a blessing to be part of this amazing team. Well said, thank you for your excellent comment. I think being unaware of the activity in the spiritual realm is one of the ways Satan tries to divert us from holding our armor up. Indeed, when we pray in accordance with the Spirit, as Paul instructs, God can help us discern how to use our armor. And that changes how we interact with those around us, especially those who want to bring us harm.
minkjh on April 3, 2017 at 10:09 am
Warm welcome to you, Estera. I likewise trace my paternal roots to southeastern Europe. This selection is so typical of Paul as he presents both the weaponry and battle plan for us to overcome the powers of darkness. Interesting that he urged his brethren to utilize for their defense against evil much of the gear that was used by an enemy greatly feared by early believers. But as Dr. John DeBrine noted in his classic exposition on this passage, we also have two very powerful pieces of offensive equipment at our disposal- the Word of God and prayer. The Apostle clarifies the importance of both, especially prayer, and Hebrews 4:12 provides a ringing endorsement of the power wrought by the Word.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 11:33 am
Thank you very much, minkjh. It is a great privilege to be part of the ODJ family. Indeed, thank you for pointing out the distinction between the pieces of defensive and offensive equipment. There is great power in the Word of God and in prayer. As we stand firm on God’s Truth and proclaim it with our lives and words, and as we wage war on our knees, we are better equipped to advance God’s Kingdom.
sandy229 on April 3, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Welcome Estera! We are happy to have you here.
Paul admonishes us to put on the whole Armor of God in order to stand against the forces of hell. It is clear that our warfare is not against physical forces, but against invisible powers who have clearly defined levels of authority in a real, though invisible, sphere of activity. Paul, however, not only warns us of a clearly defined structure in the invisible realm, he instructs us to take up the whole armor of God in order to maintain a “battle stance” against this unseen satanic structure. All of this armor is not just a passive protection in facing the enemy; it is to be used offensively against these satanic forces. Note Paul’s final directive: we are to “pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion” (v18). Thus prayer is not so much a weapon, or even part of the armor, as it is the means by which we engage in the battle itself and the purpose for which we are armed. To put on the armor of God is to prepare for battle. Prayer is the battle itself, with God’s Word being our chief weapon employed against Satan during our struggle. (2 Kings 6:8-17)
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Hi sandy229, thank you for giving a more detailed description of the real but invisible evil forces that seek to destroy us. I appreciate your encouragement to use God’s armor not just in a passive way, waiting for the enemy to attack before we respond, but to be in offense against Satan and his demons. How true that is. Leonard Ravenhill, a great evangelist of the 20th Century said that “Prayer is not a preparation for the battle; it is the battle!” Satan hates prayer and will do anything to get us to stop praying. I am reminded of Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 10. Unbeknownst to Daniel, while he was praying, an angel of God was on his way to him as a response of his prayer. But on the way an evil spirit blocked the angel and archangel Michael came to help.
sandy229 on April 3, 2017 at 9:30 pm
In yesterday’s ODB, we learned that Daniel’s experience reminds us that God is at work on behalf of those He loves even when it isn’t obvious to us.
crossman61 on April 3, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Welcome and Thank you Estera for a great reminder of the battle we are in. And the dialogue in the comments also !! You are right once we make that choice to live for Jesus , we are in the battle , as you say our enemy is not pleased one bit. And we are targets that he wants to hit and destroy . I believe , Counting the cost of being a disciple plays part in our battle also. Luke 14:25-35. Before we make an informed decision to follow Jesus , we should not be unaware of the devils schemes . He masquerades as an angel of light . And the battle that can be within ourselves also , as Monica said . Thank you Estera there is a lot that goes along with this important topic .
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 3, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Hi crossman61, thank you for your kind words. Thank you for your insight about counting the cost of being a follower of Jesus. Indeed, realizing that once we decide to follow Jesus, we enter the battlefield and need to be on guard is so important and cannot be taken lightly. May we be faithful to speak of this when we share the Good News with those around us. And you are right, there is so much to discuss and meditate on about this topic!