Satan is out to destroy us.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Nothing gives him greater pleasure than feeding the small doubts and lies in the back of our hearts and minds. We have to actively and purposefully fight against him.

How do we fight this war?

We fight with truth.

Remind yourself of what is true. Is this fear or temptation greater than God? No. Nothing is greater than Christ. You are chosen, set apart, and redeemed by a glorious Savior. Nothing can change that. It’s your identity.

 

We fight with Christ’s righteousness.

We are not capable of perfect righteousness. Only Christ can ever save. Christ already conquered every temptation, doubt, or fear. Christ has fulfilled the law.

 

We fight with the Gospel.

We are sanctified through Christ. The Gospel is filled with impossibilities. Christ, a person of the trinity, was born a man to a virgin! He was sinless – crucified on a bloody cross. While hanging on the cross, he forgave. And then He died, and was resurrected on the third day! He is risen and alive. He took on the wrath of God and made us right before God. We are no longer slaves to sin. Talk about impossible, nothing is impossible in Christ! The Gospel is always bigger.

 

We fight with faith.

We trust and believe that Christ is able. And we can have a radical faith in Christ’s ability to overcome. God will fulfill His promises and plans He has for you. (Psalm 138:8) You can rest and trust in that. You can trust God with whatever you’re dealing with.

 

We fight knowing our salvation is secured.

We live free in Christ. Our salvation does not rest on our ability to sustain. God’s grace is a gift – it’s His to give away and not ours to lose. We can rest in knowledge that our identity is rooted in Christ and be gloriously confident in Christ.

 

We fight with God’s word.

Dig deep into God’s Word. Thirst for it. God speaks to us through His word. It will always accomplish its purpose. (Isaiah 55:11) It contains all the promises of God. The bible speaks straight to our current suffering, fear, or temptation.

 

We fight with prayer.

Jesus prayed. Let that sink in. Jesus, that is God, prayed to God the Father. He was a man of almost constant prayer. Let’s not forget, Jesus had to fight temptation. (Luke 4:1-13) He faced unbearable suffering on the cross. Jesus was always in prayer. Have you ever stopped to wonder in amazement over the fact that Jesus taught us by His example how to pray?

 

It’s a daily battle. Each day we arm ourselves again and brace to meet our foes. Because some days, it’s a struggle to believe. Some days, it’s easier not to try. That’s when Satan gains a foothold.

 

Don’t let him. Arm yourself with Christ.

 

I woke up with doubts and fears gnawing at my insides but went to war against them.

Not today, Satan. Not today.

 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” — Ephesians 6:10-18

 

 

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Gabrielle is a 23 year old redeemed by Christ. She is a word artist, photographer, and seeker of beauty in the ordinary. She lives in Indiana where she drinks copious amounts of espresso and talks about life + Christ with anyone who will listen. Follow her on Instagram.