The Christian life is characterised by a contest between good and evil. Identification with the Lord Jesus Christ instantly pitches believers against Satan and his agents because we are on our way to heaven. His goal remains the same throughout all generations: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10). Satan will go to any length to keep people from entering the kingdom of God. And, where they have entered through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, he will spare no effort to pull them out of it. This is why the Christian life is described as a race (1 Corinthians 9:24), a fight (1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 10:32), a battle (1 Corinthians 14:8), and a war (2 Corinthians 10:3; 2 Timothy 2:4).
The good news for believers is that the Lord has made ample provisions for our triumph. Irrespective of how severe the troubles, tests and temptations may be, the Lord has promised to deliver us from them all (Psalm 34:4-7). Believers must, however, ensure that their suffering is not self-inflicted; not a result of any sinful conduct or disobedience to God (1 Peter 4:12-16). We will surely triumph when we “put on the whole armour of God, that (we) may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” (Ephesians 6:11).
Believers face an implacable and uncompromising foe in the person of Satan. He leads a fierce army of demons, which sometimes inhabit persons who then work to achieve his purpose. Satan’s central objective is to turn us away from following Christ, lure us into sin, pull us down from grace, halt our steady march to heaven and ensure we lose our salvation (2 Timothy 1:14). He tries to sow the seed of doubt in what God has said. He might not always tempt us to do what is wrong, but seeks to make us disobey God. He uses any strategy to pull us away from God’s will.
The enemy has clear objectives for the battles, which we must never lose sight of. One, he wants to destroy our testimony; two, he wants to discourage us from following the Lord; three, he hopes to defeat and overcome us; four, his plan is to make us deny the power of God; five, he wants to deter us from getting to heaven at the end of life’s journey. We must face every battle with the courage and conviction of a good soldier. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air,” (1 Corinthians 9:26).
If we are to fight and win the battles against the enemy, we must follow God’s laid down principles and fight with the spiritual weapons He has provided for us. We must stand on the truth of the scripture, which is the greatest weapon that Satan cannot withstand. Also, we must live in a way that will continue to attract God’s approval at all times. We must never waver in faith, as such uncertainty opens the door to the enemy to make inroads into our lives. Our salvation must be full and sound at all times, as this confers protection on us against the enemy of our soul.
God’s word holds the key to victory for the believer, and we must, like our Lord Jesus Christ, use it both as a defensive and offensive weapon in battle. We must persevere in following the Lord without getting discouraged. Irrespective of the severity of the battle, we must never surrender or run away from the Lord. Those who flee from the fight will fall before the foe. The songwriter admonished us: Christian, seek not repose; cast thy dream of ease away; thou art in the midst of foes. Watch and pray.
Whatever the battles we face, God is willing and able to make us triumphant. Job faced so fierce a battle that it seemed that all hope was lost. But God intervened, turned his captivity and doubly blessed him than he was at the beginning. Like Job, believers who remain faithful to God will triumph in all battles because the Lord is on their side.
Jesus Christ, our Lord, has overcome the world for us, and He has assured us of victory at all times. One, He wants us to watch and pray (Luke 22:31,45,46; Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38); two, shun every distraction and entanglement (2 Timothy 2:4; 1 Corinthians 9:26,27); three, put on our spiritual armour (Ephesians 6:11-13); four, endure afflictions (2 Timothy 4:5); five, resist the devil (James 4:7); six, have faith in God (Mark 11:22; 1 John 5:4); seven, look unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:1,2; Jude 1:21). Like the saints of old, we too will triumph if we depend on the all sufficient grace of God.
• Further reading (King James Version): 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-13; Psalm 34:19; Romans 8:35-37. Ephesians 6:10-12; Job 1:6-11; Romans 7:23; Luke 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Corinthians 9:26. Ephesians 6:13-18; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4; 4:16,17; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:4-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Samuel 17:45; Revelation 12:11. Job 42:10; John 16:33; Psalm 44:5; Luke 10:19; Romans 8:35-39; 1 John 5:4; Jeremiah 1:18-19; Psalm 34:7; 41:2.
