A Christian’s Defense Against Satan
In last week’s devotion, ‘Satan’s Battle with Christians’, we looked at how the attacks of Satan on Christians can leave us feeling scared, wounded or defeated. And though Satan wages war against God, he does battle with Christians. Why? Because he knows a defeated Christian is his most effective weapon against Christianity. Reading the content of last week’s devotion will provide some context for this one.
God knows Satan’s tactics and has provided us all we need to successfully defend ourselves. That’s right, we assume a defensive posture when it comes to attacks from Satan and his demons.
- Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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.
Our Heavenly Father has given us very specific instructions about how to be victorious in our battles with evil powers:
‘… be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.’
‘Put on the whole armor of God, …’
But don’t think of these as two distinct strategies; God is actually telling us to do one thing:
Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might
by putting on the whole armor of God!
The scripture below will help clarify this concept.
- Deuteronomy 20:3-4 And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’
- Father God has always desired that His children depend on Him when facing battles.
- Psalm 91:2-4 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
- God is our protector and our protection.
- Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you
- God never intended for us to stand in our own strength; we need His strength to survive.
- Ephesians 6:13-17 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
- The whole armor of God includes Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel (good news), Faith, Salvation and the Word of God: these are all references to Jesus Christ – who is God in the flesh.
- Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!
- Christ uses the exact same analogy of a protective mother hen as we saw in Psalm 91 above. Christ is available, capable and longing to protect us.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- It can be difficult to let go of an, ‘I can do this on my own!’ attitude. But we have to surrender to God’s strength to experience true victory in our lives. Attempting to wins battles in our own strength is prideful. God hates pride and will humble the proud.
When Satan attacks,
we must stand in God’s power,
not our own.
We do this by donning
the armor of God,
which means putting on Christ.
Fully immersed in the salvation and attributes of Christ is where every Christian belongs.
- Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
- Romans 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Although I focused on the defensive aspects of spiritual battle in the material above, it is critically important to acknowledge, understand and become proficient with the offensive weapons God has provided His children. Technically speaking, any piece of our armor can function as a weapon. However, the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), along with prayer, are our primary weapons.
NOTE: To gain more perspective on the truth of God’s Word presented in this devotion, please reference the following items also posted on this site: Jesus is God (June 2014) and God With Us (February 2015).
Prayer
Father God, thank you for providing Your armor and Your love for all the battles of life. Forgive me for sometimes fighting in my own strength. Please help me to put on Christ in all areas of my life. Please use the truth of Your Word to touch hearts, bring victory to those actively engage in battle, and to bring salvation to those who are not followers of Jesus Christ. Help us all to surrender to Your strength. I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
