We are to be like soldiers on the battlefield, who digs their heels into the ground, puts up their shields, and stands ready for the oncoming enemy.

Ephesians 6:10-14

The greater our impact for God’s kingdom, the harder Satan works to stir up frustration, doubt, and anxiety. The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesian believers, warning them that the devil would scheme against a successful Christian life.

Satan loathes those who please the Lord with their lifestyle, and he rallies the “spiritual forces of wickedness” to attack believers in mind, body, and spirit (Eph. 6:12). His primary goal is to divert our attention from the Lord so that our relationship with Him suffers and our witness is weakened or ruined. The devil cannot snatch our eternal spirit from God’s hand (John 10:29), but he will settle for leading us to make a mess of this present life.

Paul counseled the saints to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Fending off a satanic attack isn’t done in our own strength. The adversary is stronger and smarter than even the most intelligent men and women. But God continually empowers us through the Holy Spirit, who is far greater than Satan and his deceitful ways (1 John 4:4).

Believers have God’s strength and His order to stand firm. That means we are to trust the Lord and wait patiently for Him to intervene. We are to be like a soldier on the battlefield, who digs his heels into the ground, puts up his shield, and stands ready for the oncoming enemy. The war is already won—our soul belongs to God—but the battle for our testimony on earth still rages. Take courage, and do not retreat!