7 June 2026

PREPARATION FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

(Spiritual Warfare: SW 07)

Every soldier has to prepare himself physically, mentally and emotionally (psychologically) before he goes to the battlefield. He knows his survival depends much on such preparation besides the skills he has acquired and the equipment he carries and trained to use. In the same way, spiritually we must be prepared “to fight the good fight of faith” in order to win every battle we are confronted with. Our enemy is cunning and deceitful and we should not be caught unawares by his devices, lest he takes advantage of us (2 Cor.2:11).

In writing to the Ephesian Church, Paul exhorts them to prepare for the warfare: “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full Armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Therefore, put on the full Armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (6:10-13). Notice how specific Paul is in giving instructions to the Church regarding the preparation for spiritual warfare.

1. We must be strong in the Lord.
As the soldier needs to be physically strong to endure the hardships and pressures of war in the battlefield, so must the Christian “be strong in the Lord”. Spiritual strength comes “in the Lord” – i.e. our relationship with Jesus and dependence on Him alone. Intimacy with Jesus through worship and fellowship with Him “in the closet” of prayer will ensure that we build up our spiritual resources and reserves to withstand the long haul of warfare.

2. We must have faith in the Lord.
To be “strong in the Lord” also means to be strong in faith in the Lord. Our fight is “the fight of faith” as we are fighting the unseen forces of darkness. Our faith in God and Christ must be strong, especially when “the day of evil comes”. This faith is built up gradually through our daily walk with God, through the knowledge of God’s Word and faith in Him. The particular faith we need is to believe that we are not alone, but Christ is with us “always, even to the end of the world”. The Apostle John says, “This is the victory that overcomes the world – even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Through faith we achieve great things for God and defeat Satan and his cohorts.

3. We must “be strong in His mighty power”.
This “mighty power” is the Holy Spirit Himself. Jesus tells us that we “will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us” (Acts 1:8). Every mountain of opposition posed by the devil may seem insurmountable, but Scripture says, “Not by might, not by power but by My Spirit says the Lord” (Zech4:6). When our Lord was on earth He depended on the Holy Spirit: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil” (Acts 10:30). Let us also depend on Him by trusting Him and walking closely with Him.

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