Fighting for the Kingdom of God: Equipped with God's Armor

As Christians, we are called to "occupy" until our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ returns, and to do so, we must put on the whole armor of God, equipped to withstand the schemes of the enemy. Let's explore the powerful truth of fighting for the Kingdom of God, as we dive into Ephesians 6:10-13.

1. Utilize The Power of God

Ephesians 6:10–11
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Our strength to stand against the darkness does not come from our own might, but from the Lord. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us that it is "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." The power of God dwells within us through Christ, enabling us to do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13). As we face challenges and temptations, we can be strong and courageous because God is with us (Haggai 2:4, Romans 8:31). To find God's presence more deeply, we must immerse ourselves in His Word, meditating on it day and night (Joshua 1:7-9, Colossians 3:15-17).

2. Recognize the Enemies of Mankind (Ephesians 6:12)

Ephesians 6:12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

In this battle, it is essential to recognize our true enemy. It is not flesh and blood but the devil, who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan has been the deceiver since the beginning, leading people astray from the truth of God's Word (Genesis 3:1, 2 Corinthians 4:4). As believers, we must be vigilant, not ignorant of his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). Our fight is not against the people of the world, but rather we are called to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:18-20).

3. Analyze the Spiritual Battlefield

Ephesians 6:13|
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

As we observe the state of the world, we realize that we are living in perilous times, just as prophesied (2 Timothy 3:1-5). People are rejecting God's truth, scoffing at the promise of Christ's return (Jude 1:17-21, 2 Peter 3:3-4). In the face of such opposition, we must turn to God for protection, finding our strength and courage in Him. We must stand firm in our faith, resisting the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:9).

We are called to fight for the Kingdom of God. We must be strong in the power of the Lord, putting on the whole armor of God to withstand the devil's cunning schemes. Let us not be deceived by the enemy's lies, but instead, let us stand firm on the truth of God's Word. As we face the challenges of this world, let us occupy until our Lord's return, shining the light of the gospel to every creature. Remember, the power to stand comes from God alone, and He will equip us for the spiritual battle ahead. May we be wise to the ways of the enemy and recognize that we fight not against people, but against the forces of darkness. Let us be strong and courageous, for God is with us. As the Apostle Paul encourages us in 1 Corinthians 16:13, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."