LIFE QUESTIONS: IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE REAL AND HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT?

2026-05-24

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Ephesians 6:10–18 (CSB) Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

1. Know it’s real

Vs 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

• John MacArthur said, “Because the “struggle is not against flesh and blood” (v. 12), the Christian cannot fight it in the power of his own flesh and blood…It is first of all God’s battle and it can be fought only in God’s power and in God’s armor.[i]

2. Know how to be ready

     a. See it for what it is

Vs 10-11 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.

• Vast (ischyos=strength and might)
• Strength (kratos=mighty power)
• “so that you can stand” indicates being able to overcome whatever the devil brings your way without running to hide

     b. See God for who He is

Vs 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

• “may be able” – (dynamai is the same Greek word where we get “dynamite”)

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (CSB) For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. 6And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

3. Use the weapons He’s given

Vss 14-18 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints

• All of these elements listed in verses 14-18 are clear indications of EVERYTHING you need to defeat the spiritual warfare unleashed by Satan himself
• Max Anders said, “The reason this spiritual armor is needed is that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. The picture of warfare here implies that we do not face a physical army. We face a spiritual army. Therefore, our weapons must be spiritual.”[ii]
• Vernon McGee – “You cannot overcome the devil in your own strength and your own power.”iii

4. How to fight back

     • Truth/Talk/Trust/Together

[i] John MacArthur, Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1986.)

[ii] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 190.

[ii]i J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Epistles (Ephesians), electronic ed., vol. 47 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 176.