Navigating Spiritual Warfare: Practical Strategies for Victory

"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11 The concept of "putting on" implies a sense of lasting commitment, suggesting that armor should be the enduring and constant attire of a Christian. In essence, a follower of Christ should integrate their armor into every aspect of their life, just as one would with eating, drinking, and sleeping. Paul draws a parallel between the typical armor worn by Roman soldiers and the spiritual defense required by believers, emphasizing its essential nature for maintaining one's position amidst spiritual attacks. To tap into the strength provided by God, a believer must fully equip themselves with the spiritual armor He provides (2 Cor. 10:3-5). The notion of "putting on" signifies a one-time and permanent action. The armor of God is not to be donned and discarded at will but is meant to be worn continuously. It should be the lifelong companion of every Christian, offering divine empowerment from "Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy" (Jude 24).

“Put on” signals urgency—an immediate call to action—while “to stand” carries a classical Greek, military sense: hold your ground, resist the enemy, and maintain a critical position. “The wiles of the devil” (or “the devil’s strategy”) describes Satan’s calculated schemes against believers. The Greek idea behind “wiles” conveys craftiness, cunning, and deception; Satan propagates these tactics through the corrupted world system under his sway and through demonic agents. These schemes include every form of sin and immorality, false doctrine and counterfeit religion, and the seductive pull of worldliness. Like a predator stalking its prey, his deceit operates by stealth and trickery. Many Christians, unaware that they are enlisted as soldiers in God’s army, do not recognize the daily conflict between flesh and spirit in which the human will is the prize. Observing the armor of the Roman soldier to whom he was chained, Paul used that image to teach the spiritual armor required for God’s people.

Scripture names the devil “the anointed cherub” (Ezek. 28:14), “the ruler of the demons” (Luke 11:15), “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). He opposes God’s work (Zech. 3:1), twists God’s Word (Matt. 4:6), hinders God’s servants (1 Thess. 2:18), blinds unbelievers to the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4), seeks to ensnare the faithful (cf. 1 Thess. 3:5–7), and exerts sway over the world (1 John 5:19). This fallen archangel and his demons have tempted and corrupted humanity since the Fall, and apart from God we are powerless against them. Our battlefield is daily life, and our victory rests in the Lord and His Word, as Jesus demonstrated by overcoming the devil through Scripture. Yet history shows how easily people yield: despite God’s deliverance and blessing, Israel repeatedly turned to idolatry; despite prophecy, teaching, and miracles, Satan incited Israel to reject and crucify the Messiah; and in the end times, his final deception will lead many to mistake the antichrist for Christ (Dan. 9:26–27).