Last week we studied spiritual strongholds and saw that they are torn down by God’s power, not through human strength.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)
Those strongholds are built through lies, sin, fear, pride, unforgiveness, and unbelief. God destroys those strongholds through His truth and power.
Once strongholds have been torn down, how do we remain free?
Paul answers that question in Ephesians 6, saying, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil… For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age… 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.”
God calls every believer to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand firm, resist the enemy, and continue walking in the freedom Christ has already won.
Strongholds are demolished by God’s power, and the newfound freedom is maintained by daily putting on the whole armor of God and successfully fighting spiritual wars. Our lives as Christians will contain spiritual battles.
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
At times we can be prone to put a physical face on our enemy. We may see them as “that annoying person”, “that corrupt politician”, or “that corporate entity”. But we need to adjust our perspective to one which looks through a Biblical lens.
Ephesians 6:12 — “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…”
As we think of this verse it prompts a question — What about the Old Testament events… weren’t they purely physical encounters with physical enemies of God?
Let’s look into a few famous examples and as we do, ask yourself if these stories have natural endings.
In 1 Samuel 17, David goes to the front lines of the Israelite war with the Philistines and sees the warrior giant Goliath. He witnesses the fear of his brothers and countrymen and takes action. Going to King Saul, David volunteers to go up against Goliath. Saul, surprised yet likely feeling rebuked by David’s strong faith in God, offers David his armor. David rejects the opportunity to gain worldly protection — trusting in the Lord’s supernatural protection instead of human wisdom and understanding. God gave David the victory. Was this a purely natural event… a boy seeing victory over a giant? No, it had a spiritual component.
Another example is found in 2 Kings 6, with Elisha, his servant, and the unseen army. God had been revealing to Elisha the Syrian plans of attack repeatedly, making victory for the enemy nearly impossible (verses 8-12). So the Syrian king responded — “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” Therefore, he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. Seeing this, Elisha’s servant was frightened and said — “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” Elisha replied — “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” How was this possible? Wasn’t this a surprise attack? God had yet again opened Elisha’s eyes to reality, and not solely the physical in this case — but the spiritual. “And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” God then used Elisha to blind the enemy army and take them into captivity! Is this natural?
There are many other examples — Moses against Amalek, Gideon and the Three Hundred, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel and the Lions’ Den — just to name a few. Again, we ask, are these things purely natural? No! They are clearly events of spiritual warfare manifesting in the physical world. We know this because these events directly attacked:
— Things God had promised to give
— Things God commanded to do
— Things about God’s own being, authority, and character
Our battle is spiritual, not physical. Victory comes through dependence upon God, not human strength.
Like these Old Testament saints, we have the responsibility to answer Jesus’ call to this spiritual war.
The Armor of God
Gaining freedom and remaining free from strongholds is a supernatural battle — won only through God’s power and only maintained through wearing His armor.
Ephesians 6:14-18 “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
The Belt of Truth destroys deception and every lie that builds strongholds. The Breastplate of Righteousness guards our hearts from the strongholds of guilt and condemnation. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace give stability and confidence amidst the strongholds of the enemy. The Shield of Faith extinguishes and destroys the strongholds of fear, doubt, anxiety, and unbelief. The Helmet of Salvation protects our minds and secures our identity in Christ. The Sword of the Spirit tears down lies and defeats temptation.
Every piece of God’s armor is necessary in our fight against the rebuilding of strongholds in our lives. Wearing God’s armor protects every area of our lives and helps us stand in God’s power — not our own.
God Our Refuge and Protector
We are never alone in this fight. God Himself is our refuge, protector, and source of victory.
Psalms 91:1-2 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.””
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.””
Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”
God is with us through every battle — all we need do is remain in the Shadow of the Almighty.
Conclusion
Putting on the armor of God is a daily lifestyle of faith, holiness, obedience, and dependence upon Christ. We must walk in truth, righteousness, faith, and peace. We must renew our minds through God’s Word and stay alert through continual prayer to the attacks of the enemy. Let’s maintain our freedom through daily obedience to God’s will and commands.
This is how David, Elisha, and many others were able to see victory in their battles. This is also how we will stand firm in the victory Jesus has won over our strongholds.
Romans 8:37-39 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
by Matthew
Lincoln House Churches 