Constant Coulibaly

The Bible teaches that Christians are soldiers of Christ engaged in spiritual war against evil (Ephesians 6:10-17; 1 Timothy 1:18). Yet, the weapons used in this war are not physical, but rather spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). This is because the nature of this war is not physical.

Earthly war involves physical combat, with each side seeking to overcome the other. Similarly, spiritual warfare also involves a battle between antagonistic forces. The forces at play in spiritual war are these. On one side, you have Christians – whether they are involved in faithful preaching or supporting the proclamation of the gospel. Their work consists in bringing men and women to faith, obedience and submission to Christ, using the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God – in this case, the gospel (Eph. 6:17). On the other side, there are those whose efforts seek to alter God’s plan of redemption to suit their own views on how men ought to be saved. An example of this can be seen in the 1st century, when some Jewish Christians claimed that in order to be saved one needed to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses (Acts 15:5).

This group extends to all modern Bible teachers and preachers who preach doctrines that deviate from Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 15:3-9). Some men are guilty of this deviation as they try to showcase their knowledge before a religious audience, aiming to dominate them by appealing to the spectacular, rather than focusing on the depth of Jesus' teachings. Many people cling to the 10 Commandments, believing they are at peace with God as they have been taught. And yet, there is not a single line in the 10 Commandments and its peripheral laws that commands one to obey them in order to be saved from sin and be in good standing with God. It simply does not exist. This instruction, on the other hand, is found in the gospel or Law of Christ. On the day of Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, Peter told the gathered crowd, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38). The gift of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is salvation. There is no gospel other than the one Peter preached, which came from Christ (cf. Galatians 1:6-9). Regrettably, there are thousands of doctrines preached today that contradict the gospel of salvation.

In Ephesians, Paul speaks of the spiritual battle Christians face in these terms, "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." (Ephesians 6:12) The apostle has in mind the activities carried out by evil spirits (the devil and his demons, i.e., his associates, the host of other wicked angels). Bible teachers who adulterate Jesus' teachings with human doctrines, mixing the two, are also included among Satan's agents (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). The devil, also known as Satan, meaning "adversary," is the enemy of God and man (1 Peter 5:8). He is the instigator of all opposition that faithful children of God face in their daily walk with God. Satan is ready and prepared to do all he can to prevent us from enjoying close fellowship with God and the blessings that come from it, as taught in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). Satan's ultimate will is to get men to not do God's will. Satan aims to turn people against God. Satan opposes God in luring men away from God, the Author of all provisions and blessings. In doing so, Satan opens the doors of hell for men. We can clearly see the evil nature of Satan. He opposes us, and he works against God. He is the enemy of both God and man.

The Bible reveals that the devil is armed with weapons (Ephesians 6:11; 16). These are referred to as "darts" (v. 16), which suggest their insidious and cunning nature. These darts are highly effective and potent when wielded by the devil. Satan also employs tactics. Paul calls satanic tactics "wiles" (v. 11 KJV). He instructs us to "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." The word "wiles" denotes a carefully crafted scheme, a devious plan executed with skill. Elsewhere, in his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle uses the word "devices," to describe the existence of the devil’s malicious plans. He says, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11).

The spiritual battle Christians face is as arduous and perilous as physical combat. The word “wrestle” used by Paul in Ephesians 6 conveys the intensity of this fight. This is no surprise as the enemies are “powers,” that is forces greater than men. One indication of the devil’s advantage over us in terms of power is his ability to discern our weaknesses. Battles are won or lost based on weaknesses! James made it clear that lustful desires are a weakness of both men and women, and consequently, they are prime targets for Satan’s effort to lead us into sin. James says, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14, 15). The devil’s goal is to destroy by leading us to hell, as this place was prepared for him and his angels (Matthew 25:41; 1 Peter 5:8). But we must resist him and ensure his sinister plan is thwarted.

Christians are called to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” as the Apostle Paul urges in Ephesians 6:10. The expression “be strong” originally means “to be strengthened.” This implies that the strength we need does not come from within ourselves, but from the power of God. The use of the present tense suggests a continuous need to be strong, for the spiritual battle we face is relentless. The battle rages on because the world keeps attacking morality. One of the prevailing philosophies in recent years holds that there is no absolute right or wrong; and that what one person considers wrong, another may consider right. This can be seen in the ongoing debate about issues such as abortion and same-sex relationships. However, God has not left men in the dark when it comes to right and wrong. The Bible affirms that the word of God is truth (John 17:17). What is biblically true is also right, and anything that contradicts the Bible’s teachings of what is right must be accepted as wrong.

Secondly, we need to use the protection God has provided us with. Paul writes, “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” (Ephesians 6:13). The Apostle’s use of the word “armour” is a metaphorical allusion to the metal coverings 1st-century Roman soldiers wore to protect their bodies during battles. Paul calls this the “armour of God,” because it is God’s power of protection. It is as effective as the Roman soldier’s armour was. God’s armour is made up of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17).

We must tactically quote the Scriptures to Satan when he lies to us, just as our Lord did in Matthew 4:1-10. This ability requires that we know the word of God quite well. We need to keep the faith “which was once delivered” and continue to live by it (Jude 3). We can have the blessed assurance that we are saved in Christ and have been brought into a right relationship with God because of our faith in Christ (this is righteousness). A child of God will never be prepared for the war against Satan unless he is immersed in God’s word. And, finally, what connects us to God’s power is prayer (Ephesians 6:18). The only hope we have of winning the war against the devil and sin lies in obedience to our Commander-in-chief, Jesus Christ. He commanded us, through His Apostle to put on the armour of God. We can count on Christ’s command because the Lord never lost a battle against sin. The Hebrews writer said, He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)