What battle are you facing today?

Do you realize that every morning when you get up, you’re going into battle? 

Ephesians 6:12 says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

What are you struggling with today? Lately, I’ve been dealing with the effects of a devastating fire that destroyed the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Dallas and threatened to disrupt our ministry at Pathway to Victory. I suspect that you may be wrestling with an unexpected crisis or challenging situation in your life as well.

No matter what difficulties you and I face in this world, the Bible says our struggle is not against adverse circumstances. It’s not against family members, friends, or employers. It’s not against strangers on social media or politicians on Capitol Hill. Our struggle is against “the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Friend, how can you and I win our spiritual battles? We need to understand our enemy and use the spiritual weapons God has given us.

The Bible says you and I have a powerful enemy who wants to destroy us: Satan and his demonic forces. And although Satan is invisible, he is very real.

Jesus called Satan a “murderer” and a “liar” (John 8:44). Peter compared him to a “roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). John described him as “the great dragon” and “the serpent of old” (Revelation 12:9).

Satan’s goal is to build a rival kingdom that threatens the kingdom of God. Right now, Satan is building his kingdom by blinding unbelievers to the gospel. He’s also working against Christians like you and me—and ministries like Pathway to Victory—to try to discourage and distract us from our God-given purpose. Satan knows he can’t steal our eternity in heaven, so he tries to rob us of our relationships, our joy, and our influence for Christ.

What can we do against this invisible and formidable enemy? Ephesians 6:10, 13 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. . . . Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

God has given us everything we need to win this spiritual battle, but we have a responsibility to take action. 

If you’re going to be successful against Satan’s schemes, you need to understand and use the spiritual armor God has provided you every day:

Belt of Truth: He’s given you His truth to combat Satan’s lies.

Breastplate of Righteousness: He’s empowered you to be obedient to Him so you don’t give Satan a foothold.

Boots of the Gospel: He’s given you a purpose—sharing the gospel—to keep you focused when you’re tempted to stray.

Shield of Faith: He’s given you faith to believe that He will do what He promised to do and then to act accordingly.

Helmet of Salvation: He’s saved you from the power of sin, so you can be victorious every day.

Sword of the Spirit: He’s given you His Word, which cuts through the fog of deception and strengthens you to say no to Satan and yes to God.

What attack is Satan sending into your life right now? What circumstances are causing you to doubt God’s love for you? What is leading you into temptation or worry or despair? As we prepare to fight our spiritual battles today, I encourage you to remember this powerful truth: “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Yes, you and I are in a life-and-death struggle with an unseen enemy. But against the spiritual weapons God has given us in Christ, Satan doesn’t have a prayer!

Sharing the truth of God’s Word,

Dr. Robert Jeffress