“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
The spiritual war in which the Christian is engaged to fight, is a difficult one, not only because of the nature of it, but because it is an invisible one. The Apostle Paul gives us in a very short phrase why this is a fact: “For we walk by faith, and not by sight.” That which we see in the physical world is very deceptive at times, and for the most part, only the reflection of what is occurring in the spiritual realm. So, how is the disciple of Christ to “overcome” this adversary, described by the Apostle John in the book of Revelation: “…the great dragon, that old serpent, which deceives the whole world: …the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God, day and night?” (12:9,10)
The first thing to see and grasp is that the true believer, from the very moment of being born again by the Spirit, having been placed into Christ by the Father, has also been introduced into a very real spiritual conflict with “…principalities, and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12) This is not a conflict that one can deny, ignore, or refuse to address. To do so would be to court not only danger, but possible destruction, for this adversary is one who comes, “… not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10) Essential to this perception of the adversary, and his objectives, is to grasp something of his ways, for the Apostle Paul writes: “…lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Cor. 2:11)
The second thing to realize, and again to lay hold of, is the singular victory over all the power of the enemy, which the Lord Jesus accomplished on Calvary when He died, and then rose from the dead. Paul writes in a prayer for the Ephesian believers, that “…the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Christ).” (1:17) Essential to this “vision,” or perception of the truth of Christ’s victory is “…the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above ALL principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” (3:18,19,20) To the Colossian believers, Paul adds concerning Christ’s victory, “…and having spoiled principalities, and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (2:15)
There is but one victory over Satan, the powers of darkness, principalities, and rulers of this darkness, and it is that which Christ accomplished once for all on the cross. If the believer would be a participant of this victory, he must clearly see Christ’s victory as complete, one which has been given to the believer in Christ to know and experience in practice and power. Specifically speaking, the disciple is called to “fight the good fight of faith,” and overcome the deception, accusations, and schemes of the enemy.
The basis for the experience of this victory and its power is in the blood of Christ. John specifically declares this by writing: “And they overcame him (the adversary) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11) The enemy of our souls despises the blood of Christ, for it declares his defeat.
The testimony of Christ’s soldier is that his stand has been taken upon the absolute, perfect, finished work of Christ,
Finally, “not loving one’s life,” is the embracing of Christ’s victorious Life alone by faith, whether in life or death.
Dear Father, Make us effective soldiers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.