February 01 2026

Sunday February 01

Standing Against Our Spiritual Enemy

Ephesians 6:10-12

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.”

Today we're continuing to look at Ephesians 6:10-12, where we see Paul is telling us to stand against the wiles of the devil. Please remember what I said yesterday about sit, walk and stand. It's so important to know and be practicing before we can stand against the evil one who will attack us, especially if we're doing something for the Lord. By the way, if the devil's not bothering you, it means you're not doing anything for the Lord. The devil tempted Jesus. The devil went after Peter. And I'll guarantee you, anyone that's on God's agenda, accomplishing God's purposes and committed to doing the will of God daily, will be under the attack of the evil one and his forces.

We need to know how to stand. Remember what we said yesterday. We must first know our position in Christ. We're seated in the heavenly places in Christ. We're in Christ. Christ is in you. He must be our all in all. Secondly, we must walk properly. That's why Galatians 5:16 says, "Walk in the Spirit you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Now, Paul says, "We will be able to stand”. We don't fight with the devil. You'll lose every time." Even Michael the Archangel didn't fight with the devil when they were disputing over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9). It says, "Michael said, "The Lord rebuke you." We are no match for the devil. My friend, you are in Christ you can stand in this victory in Christ.

Now, as we all know, in any military conflict, intelligence is essential. Officers must know who the enemy is, where he operates, what he's capable of doing. Without that knowledge, victory is difficult, if not impossible. My friend, God has not left us uninformed. Not only in Ephesians chapter 6, but throughout the entire Bible, God Himself teaches us about our enemy so that we will not be caught off guard.

Now, who is the leader of our enemy? Of course, it's the devil. He has many names. He's called the devil, which means the accuser because he accuses God's people day night before the throne of God (Revelation 12:7-11). He's also called Satan, meaning “adversary” because he stands in opposition to God. Scripture also refers to him as the “tempter” (Matthew 4:3). He's called a “murderer and a liar” (John 8:44). He's compared to a “roaring lion” in 1 Peter 5:8. He's pictured as a “serpent” in Genesis 3:1 also Revelation 12:9. He's also pictured as an “angel of light” in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. Paul also calls him the “god of this age” in 2 Corinthians 4:4.

So where did this powerful spirit come from? Many students of Scripture believe he was “Lucifer, son of the morning” (Isaiah 14:12-15). He was cast out of heaven because of his pride and a desire to take over God's throne. Now, there are many mysteries concerning Satan's origin and when all that happened, but my friend, there's no mystery about what he's doing today where he's headed.

As a created being, he is not eternal like God. He's limited in knowledge, power, and presence. He is not all knowing, all powerful, or everywhere at once. So, how does he accomplish so much in so many places? The answer's found in his organized helpers. That's why Paul explains it here in Ephesians 6 as “principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in the high places”. This language suggests highly organized demonic army assisting Satan in his attacks against believers.

The Apostle John indicates that one-third of the angels fell with Satan in his rebellion in Revelation 12:4. The prophet Daniel reveals that Satan's angels contend with God's angels over the affairs of the nations in Daniel 10:13-20. So a spiritual battle is taking place both on earth in the heavenly realms. You I are a part of that battle. Understanding this makes walking in victory vitally important not only to us but to God.

God help us to understand today we have an enemy and it is not people. It's the devil and his organized forces. God give us grace today to be “seated in Christ”, “walking in the Spirit”, and standing against the wiles of the evil one!

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.