Armed to Disarm Satan Pt.2

# Standing Firm: Armed to Disarm the Enemy

In the midst of life's battles, there's a profound truth we often overlook: we're fighting an enemy who has already been defeated. Yet this adversary continues to wage war against believers, not with physical weapons, but through deception, doubt, and discouragement. The good news? God has equipped us with powerful spiritual weapons to neutralize every attack.

## The Wrong Target

Consider the story of Carl Klassen, a gray-haired Swedish man who appeared to be an easy mark for two would-be robbers at a cash machine. What they didn't know was that their seemingly vulnerable victim was a former European light middleweight boxing champion. When they demanded his wallet, Klassen warned them, "This isn't going to go well." Moments later, both thugs lay on the ground, knocked out by precise punches. A police officer later remarked, "They came after the wrong guy."

This story mirrors the spiritual reality for every believer in Christ. Satan has come after the wrong people. When we consistently use the spiritual weapons God has provided, our lives begin to transform in remarkable ways.

## Understanding the Real Battle

The battle we face isn't primarily physical—it's spiritual. Behind every problem we see in the world lies a cosmic conflict between good and evil. Satan's primary strategy is deception and trickery. His ultimate goal? To replace what God has said with what he offers instead.

The enemy wants us to believe we can figure things out independently of God. He plants seeds of doubt, whispering that we know better than our Creator. This was his tactic in the Garden of Eden, and it remains his strategy today. When we begin thinking and acting independently of God, we've already lost ground in the battle.

The manifestations of this spiritual warfare appear as lies, deception, doubt, fear, guilt, and temptation. These are the symptoms of a deeper conflict raging in the unseen realm.

## The Call to Stand

Scripture repeatedly calls believers to "stand" against the enemy's schemes. In Ephesians 6:13, we're instructed to "take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

The word "stand" means to resist, to hold your ground. It's a military term suggesting steadfastness under fire. The "evil day" refers to those seasons when Satan brings all his forces against you—when it seems like one problem after another crashes into your life, when you wonder if God even sees your struggle.

These are the moments God has prepared us for. The spiritual weapons He provides are designed to help us not just survive but stand victorious when the storm passes.

## The Arsenal of Heaven

### The Belt of Truth

Truth is the foundation that holds everything together. When the devil bombards you with lies and anxiety threatens to unravel your peace, God's truth tightens you up and makes you strong again. Truth brings clarity to the chaos of daily life.

The psalmist discovered this principle. When circumstances became confusing and overwhelming, entering God's presence brought understanding. This is why daily time with God matters—not just Sunday worship, but morning appointments with the Commander-in-Chief. We need to ask, "Lord, show me the truth of what's really going on."

### The Breastplate of Righteousness

Roman soldiers knew they had to protect their chest, where the heart and vital organs reside. One penetration there could be fatal. For believers, the breastplate is God's righteousness applied to our lives.

When Satan accuses you of past failures, you can respond with confidence: "The righteousness of God has been applied to my life. It's not my righteousness, but Christ's. I'm a brand new creature in Him." This realization transforms how we live. When we walk uprightly with hearts bent toward God, the enemy often moves on to easier targets.

### The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

Roman soldiers sometimes marched 20 to 25 miles daily across the vast empire. They needed comfortable, sturdy shoes with cleats to hold their position. For believers, these shoes represent the gospel of peace—a firm foundation in our salvation through Jesus Christ.

The gospel is this: Jesus came from glory into our dark world, lived a perfectly sinless life, died on the cross paying the debt for our sins—past, present, and future—rose on the third day with victory over sin and death, and returned to heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father.

When you place complete faith in Christ, something miraculous happens. You're reborn. You receive the nature of God Himself, just as you received the nature of your earthly parents. You become a new creature in Christ.

When the devil brings doubt during difficult times, remembering the gospel changes everything. Knowing that God loves you enough to send His Son transforms your outlook. As Scripture asks, "What shall separate us from the love of God?" The answer: Nothing.

### The Shield of Faith

Roman soldiers carried shields about two and a half feet wide and four feet tall, large enough to cover all their other weapons. These shields, made of leather soaked in special chemicals, could extinguish flaming arrows shot by enemies.

The enemy shoots fiery darts designed to puncture our peace and deflate our joy. But faith acts as our shield. When we know our faith is completely in Jesus Christ, we can look up and say, "God, I believe You. I know what's happening, but I know You love me."

Consider this remarkable truth: God reached into the throngs of humanity heading toward destruction and pulled you out. He placed His hand on you and called your name. When you grasp this reality, you can hold up your shield and declare, "Devil, you can shoot, but my God has already taken care of me."

### The Helmet of Salvation

Roman soldiers wore metal helmets that were often hot and heavy. Sometimes they'd set them aside for comfort, but when conflict arose, they quickly put them back on.

For believers, the helmet of salvation should never be removed. This helmet reminds us that no matter how fierce the battle, ultimate victory is assured. We fight knowing we've already won because when Christ rose from the grave, victory was secured.

Part of our salvation assurance is knowing we're saved and walking toward guaranteed victory. One day soon, the trumpet will sound, clouds will fill the sky, and Christ will return for His people. Those who have died in Christ will rise first, then those alive will be caught up together to meet Him in the air, never to be separated again.

## Fighting from Victory, Not for Victory

Here's a transformative perspective: Christians don't fight for victory; we fight from victory. The outcome has already been determined. Christ has won, and we're walking in His victory.

This doesn't mean the road will be easy. In fact, the enemy knows he's defeated, which is why he fights so desperately to discourage believers. Discouragement is one of his most effective tools. He wants us to sit on the sidelines, to be part of the army in name only rather than active soldiers.

But God calls us to work while it's still day, for night is coming when no one can work. He's given us everything we need—no excuses. The weapons are in our hands. The question is: will we use them?

## Don't Give Up

Whatever you're facing today, don't surrender. God has a reason for what you're going through, and the devil knows it's a good reason. That's why he's trying so hard to discourage you.

Look up. Your Commander-in-Chief is right beside you. Even closer—He's in your heart through the Holy Spirit, encouraging you that it's not over yet. God has many things for you to accomplish.

For many of us, the road ahead may not be as long as the road behind. But we can work faithfully until the day He calls us home. And on that day, we'll hear the words every soldier longs to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The enemy has come after the wrong believer. Stand firm. Put on your armor. Take up your weapons. The victory is already yours.