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There is a battle raging around us—unseen but deeply felt, waged not with swords and spears but with thoughts, choices, and the inclinations of the heart. It is a war for dominion, for authority, for the very destiny of mankind. To ignore it is to forfeit ground. To misunderstand it is to fight in vain. But to engage with wisdom is to walk in the victory already secured for us.

RECOGNISING AND RESISTING THE DEVIL’S DEVICES

The idea behind this is that the Bible provides clear guidance and spiritual insight to protect believers from ignorance of the enemy’s tactics, as stated in 2 Corinthians 2:11,

“in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

By studying the Bible, we are better prepared to discern the strategies of the enemy, resist temptation, and protect ourselves from spiritual deceit. The Bible serves as a tool to deepen one’s knowledge of our rights and duties, giving us the spiritual wisdom and weapons necessary to combat the adversary’s attacks.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

To understand our role, we must first understand what went wrong. The fall of man in Genesis 3 was not merely about disobedience—it was an abdication of divine authority. Adam was placed in the garden not only to tend it but to guard it (Genesis 2:15). The Hebrew word shamar (שָׁמַר) means “to guard, watch, and preserve.” The garden represented divine order in the midst of chaos, a reflection of heaven on earth and the Kingdom (control) of God. When Adam failed to guard his domain, disorder encroached, and dominion was lost. This is the foundation of spiritual warfare: reclaiming the authority given to humanity by God.

The word basileía (βασιλεία), often translated as “kingdom,” does not simply denote a physical realm but the right to rule. As Origen observed,

“The kingdom of God, in the words of our Lord and Saviour, does not come in a way that can be observed with the eyes, but is within us.” (Commentary on Matthew).

WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

At the heart of this war lies the question of dominion (basileía). In the beginning, God placed humanity in a garden—not merely as caretakers but as rulers, commissioned to subdue the earth and reign as His representatives (Genesis 1:26-28). Yet, through deception, that authority was abdicated, and the enemy seized what was not his to take. Every conflict since then—whether personal struggles, societal decay, or the grand clash of kingdoms—is but an echo of that original usurpation. We are fighting not to reclaim what was lost—Jesus Christ already achieved that—but instead to enforce victory throught the rule (basileía) of heaven on earth, and to walk in the fullness of our inheritance in Christ.

WHY ARE WE FIGHTING?

Some might ask, “If Christ has already won the victory, why must we still fight?” The answer is simple: victory must be enforced. A kingdom may be rightfully won, but without occupying its territory, the enemies who linger will continue to operate in defiance. As the book of Judges reveals, the Israelites failed to drive out the Canaanites entirely, allowing them to remain, occupy resources and influence the people (Judges 2:2-3). Likewise, if we do not take spiritual ground and stand firm, the enemy persists.

Though Jesus disarmed principalities and powers through the cross (Colossians 2:15), He entrusted His people with the authority to drive out the remnants of rebellion (Luke 10:19, Joshua 18:3). The war we fight is not one of desperation but of enforcement.

Tertullian wrote,

“The Christian is born for battle.” (De Corona, Chapter 11).

We are not fighting for victory; we are fighting from victory. Paul exhorts us to stand firm in the battle (Ephesians 6:13-14). The Greek word aphormé (ἀφορμή) in warfare refers to a strategic position of advantage. Ancient Greek historian Thucydides (c. 460–400 BC) used this term to describe a stronghold from which an army would launch its attack.

“Corcyra became a great base of operations [aphormé] for both the Athenians and the Peloponnesians.” (History of the Peloponnesian War 1.44).

In this sense, aphormé is a strategic foothold—a key location from which war efforts are launched. Our warfare begins with taking our stand in and on the words of Christ, the promises of God, refusing to retreat from the ground He has won.

We fight because we have been given the keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16:19). As Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21)—this is delegated authority. We fight because darkness only yields where light insists on shining. No amount of darkness can extinguish even the smallest light. We fight because our enemy prowls like a lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), and we must be vigilant in resisting him.

WHO DO WE FIGHT?

Paul makes it clear:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).

Our war is not against people but against the forces of darkness that manipulate and corrupt. As John Bunyan wrote in The Holy War,

“As long as you live, you will meet with oppositions; so reckon on it and fight through it.”

Our task is not to fear the enemy but to understand his schemes and overcome them.

THE TROUBLES CAUSED BY DEMONIC OPPRESSION

The oppression of the enemy manifests in many ways, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Some common areas where people suffer under demonic influence include:

• Mental and Emotional Torment: Anxiety, depression, confusion, fear, and intrusive thoughts that attempt to undermine faith and identity in Christ.
• Bondage to Sin: Addictions, habitual sins, and destructive patterns that feel impossible to break.
• Physical Affliction: Sicknesses and ailments that resist medical explanation or healing, as seen in the woman whom Jesus healed after Satan had bound her for eighteen years (Luke 13:16).
• Financial Struggles: Persistent poverty, loss, and lack due to spiritual opposition hindering provision and stewardship.
• Broken Relationships: Strife, division, and unforgiveness that prevent reconciliation and peace.
• Oppression in Dreams and Sleep: Nightmares, night terrors, or sleep paralysis that reflect spiritual attack.
• Hindrances to Prayer and Worship: Difficulty in engaging with God, distractions, and dryness in spiritual life.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and through Him, we have the authority to resist oppression and walk in freedom. We are not waiting for God to act; He is waiting for us!

IF YOU WANT PEACE, PREPARE FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

“Si vis pacem, para bellum” is a Latin phrase that translates to “If you want peace, prepare for war.” It has historically been used to express the idea that in order to maintain peace, one must be ready for conflict and possess the strength to defend it when necessary. Spiritual warfare is, after all, about being vigilant and prepared for the battles that inevitably come, ensuring we’re armed with the right tools (faith, authority in Christ, Scripture knowledge, etc.) to stand firm.

PREPARATION FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

The Latin phrase “Si vis pacem, para bellum”—”If you want peace, prepare for war”—reminds us that peace is not something that comes without effort, nor without a readiness to fight when necessary. This ancient wisdom, attributed to Roman writer Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, underscores a crucial principle: to safeguard peace, we must be equipped to face and resist conflict. This same idea applies to spiritual warfare, where maintaining inner peace and spiritual well-being requires preparation for the inevitable battles that arise.

In the spiritual realm, these battles are not fought with physical weapons but with the tools of faith, Scripture, and the authority of Christ. Just as an army cannot enter battle without the right equipment, we cannot engage in spiritual warfare without preparation. Spiritual warfare is not a reactive endeavor but an active, ongoing process of standing firm in the victory already secured for us through Christ.

THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR BATTLE

In order to stand firm, we must prepare ourselves with the right tools. As outlined in the U.S. Army’s Field Manual 3-0,

“The best defense is a strong offense.”

In spiritual terms, this means taking proactive steps to guard our hearts and minds through prayer, Scripture, and faith. We must be vigilant and ready, knowing that the enemy will use deception, temptation, and fear to undermine our peace.

The Apostle Paul urges believers in Ephesians 6 to “put on the whole armour of God,” which includes the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:11, 17). These spiritual weapons are our primary means of engaging the enemy, standing firm, and holding on to the peace Christ gives.

PEACE THROUGH PREPAREDNESS

The peace that comes through Christ is not one that avoids conflict but one that is secured by the victory He has already won. The conflict cannot be ignored, that is the cause of the distress every Christian is experiencing, and we overcome it by engaging in the battle. As we engage in spiritual warfare, we do so not in fear but with the confidence that the battle is ultimately God’s, and we are merely enforcing the victory He has already secured for us.

In this ongoing battle, the readiness to fight is not about seeking conflict but being prepared for it when it comes. By arming ourselves with faith, Scripture, and prayer, we ensure that we stand firm in the peace Christ has given us, pushing back against the darkness that would seek to undermine it.

“If you want peace, prepare for war.” In spiritual warfare, peace is not the absence of struggle but the result of overcoming the enemy with the authority Christ has given us. As we prepare ourselves daily through prayer, the Word, and faith, we are ready for whatever battles lie ahead, knowing that our peace is already secured in the victory of Christ, armed with the right tools (faith, authority in Christ, Scripture knowledge, etc.) to stand firm.

LIVING IN THE LIGHT: ENFORCING FREEDOM

Spiritual warfare is not merely a reactive stance and it’s not the absence of conflict. Spiritual warfare is an active participation and cooperation in God’s ongoing work of restoration of His control over the world. As we shine the light of Christ into every corner of darkness—spirit, soul, and body, and every other area of life—we are not just fighting to enforce our own freedom, but to bring freedom to others and establish God’s Kingdom (basilea, “control”) on earth. This is a battle that requires constant vigilance, prayer, and faith, standing firm in the authority we have through Christ.

Ignorance is not bliss, it is the root causes suffering!

Hosea 4:6

Let us therefore not be ignorant of the enemies schemes, nor our authority and duty but instead, continue to shine the light of His word, dispelling darkness wherever it has a foothold, and reclaiming the territory that rightfully belongs to us in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. In what areas of your life have you unknowingly surrendered dominion? How can you take it back?
2. How does understanding your authority in Christ change your perspective on spiritual battles?
3. What are some subtle ways the enemy tries to deceive and distract believers today?
4. How can you actively enforce the victory of Christ in your daily walk?
5. Which of the spiritual disciplines (repentance, forgiveness, confession, praise, resisting the devil) do you need to strengthen?

CLOSING PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

I acknowledge that I am in a battle, but I thank You that the victory is already secured in Christ. Open my eyes to the schemes of the enemy and grant me the wisdom and strength to stand firm. Help me to walk in the authority You have given me, to reclaim every area of my life that has been surrendered to darkness. Let my faith be unwavering, my heart steadfast, and my spirit ready for battle. Strengthen me in repentance, forgiveness, confession, and praise so that I may resist the devil and walk in the fullness of Your promises.

Lord, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in my life, as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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QUOTES

• “To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fit for their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” (Winston Churchill)
• “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” (John Wooden)
• “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” (Albert Einstein)
• “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” (Marcus Aurelius)
• “In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
• “Victory belongs to the most persevering.” (Napoleon Bonaparte)
• “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” (Abraham Lincoln)