Tony Elder, Author/Pastor

My wife began a new job recently. Her first week was filled with trials as one obstacle after another was being thrown into her path. There were minor issues that were simply irritating or caused slight delays, such as spilled water bottles, computer issues, and traffic problems. But then there were other more impactful challenges, including an injured shoulder, a stomach virus, and family members in the hospital. It was such a barrage of events that several of us wondered if it might be a spiritual attack with Satan trying to hinder my wife in her new endeavor or seeking to discourage her. After all, this new position was more than a job to help pay the bills. It was a ministry that could have a great impact on people’s lives.

While we should guard against falling into a mindset of seeing demons around every corner, we should also be careful not to lose sight of the fact that there are evil spiritual forces at work in the world. Thankfully, our God is greater. We don’t need to live in fear of Satan and his minions. However, they can oppress God’s people and seek to hinder His work. There is real spiritual warfare taking place in the world.

Sometimes it may be difficult to discern if our trials are simply the common problems we face as human beings living in a fallen world resulting from natural forces or if there could be some spiritual evil entity behind those events. In some cases, our difficulties could even be the testing or discipline of our loving heavenly Father as He seeks to correct us in some way. However, when we have a strong sense that we are following God’s will and such obstacles keep showing up, we shouldn’t overlook the possibility that the enemy of our soul could be trying to hinder those efforts.

What should we do when facing circumstances which appear to be a spiritual attack? The Bible gives us some good direction about such matters in Ephesians 6. This is the passage that reminds us that “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” (v.12). It directs us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (v.10). We are not to simply give in and let Satan walk all over us. We need to resist him. We need to stand against him. However, we shouldn’t attempt to do that in our own strength. We are to be strong “in the Lord”. Our strength comes from our relationship with Jesus. And it is His power that gives us victory over the assaults of Satan.

This scripture also instructs us to “put on the whole armor of God” (v. 11). That protection is detailed for us in this passage in v. 14-18. God has given us the means to keep standing regardless of what the devil may throw at us. We just have to make sure we are making use of that protective gear. Truth, righteousness, salvation, the gospel of peace, faith, the word of God, and prayer all play vital roles in helping us withstand the enemy. Let’s make sure there are no gaps in our armor. We need all of it – the “whole” armor of God.

I believe prayer is especially vital as we face such battles. It seems to be the cord tying all the other pieces of armor together – “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (v.18). When the enemy attacks, let’s keep praying with faith in the Lord, in His promises, in His presence, and in His power to help us overcome. Stand and be strong in the Lord.