Scripture to Read: Luke 4:1–12
Jesus faced the same spiritual battles that we face every day. Jesus had to fight the battles the same way we do; He used the Word of God as the weapon to defeat the devil and his temptations. That is why God tells us in Ephesians 6:12, “For 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.” When we fully grasp that our battle is spiritual and that we’re waging war with enemies we can’t see, feel, or hear, then we will be diligent to prepare ourselves for a different type of warfare. The devil wants us to believe that he is really no threat and that our problems stem from those we work with, those we go to school with, those we live with, and so on. If the devil can keep us focusing on the people we’re around, then it keeps the door wide open for the rulers, the powers, the world forces of this darkness, and the spiritual forces of wickedness to defeat us in the daily battles we face. However, if we take seriously the spiritual battles we face each day, then we will prepare properly for battle by memorizing Scripture verses that address our greatest weaknesses. We will follow God’s command in Ephesians 6:10–18, and we will make sure we are clothed with the full armor of God so that we can defeat the devil just as Jesus modeled for us.
Challenge & Application
What must happen each day to be prepared for the battlefield we enter?
How do you ensure you are battle-ready each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!