Introduction
Toward the end of Ephesians, Paul knows this church will be engaged in spiritual warfare. One of the problems with any battle is that in combat, emotions run high, and people often forget what they are fighting for, why it matters, and the rules of engagement. We all get lost in war and compromise our principles. We forget who we are in the heat of battle. We pick up tools that God never told us we could use. Paul here reminds us that we should be principled fighters with the right cause and weaponry.

Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 6:10-17, New Living Translation

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Explanation and Reflection
Today's text has three sections: the what, why, and how behind spiritual warfare.

1. What is Spiritual Warfare?
   The church at Ephesus is instructed that their fight is not “against flesh-and-blood enemies.” Instead, our battle is with the “strategies of the devil” and “against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Church, your greatest enemy is not another country, political party, ruler, or government. It’s against unseen evil working in the world behind the scenes. This discussion about spiritual warfare has been used to fight the wrong battles throughout church history, and that’s done great harm to the cause of Jesus. Please recognize that spiritual warfare is just that: spiritual. Your enemy is the devil and his evil forces, not your neighbor who votes differently from you. We are called to love all people, even our enemies. Satan wins when we hate anyone. We cannot let the hate and fear of our age distract us from fighting the right enemy.
2. Why do we partake in Spiritual Warfare?
   In John 10:10, Jesus teaches that evil’s purpose is to “steal and kill and destroy.” In Jesus’ and Paul’s reasoning, evil isn’t fun, a small problem, or a minor issue. No. They both see evil as utterly destructive. In the text above, Paul uses terms like “dark” and “mighty powers” when talking about evil. Evil is not a joke. This is why spiritual warfare matters. Not only is evil a big problem, but we also face an adversary in the devil who is smart and committed. Our text talks about how the devil has “strategies.” In other words, the devil lives strategically to promote evil. Do you live strategically to combat it? The devil would have us think that life is a playground because he knows it’s really a battlefield. If he can distract us with materialism, pleasures, experiences, worries, selfishness, hate, anger, etc., he knows we will not fight the battles we are called to. Spiritual warfare matters because it refocuses our hearts and minds on our purpose in this world: to fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12).
   There is one other important thing to distinguish in spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare isn’t often “out there”; it’s usually in you! Another way to put it: spiritual warfare is more internal than external. Your biggest spiritual battle will always be you. Many things bring evil into the world, and you need to fight them. However, the thing in your life that can bring evil into the world that you can control the most is you. Think about it. You have limited control over wars, sex trafficking, corporate greed, and even the toxic attitudes in your workplace. But you do have a lot of control over your anger, lust, greed, and negativity with the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, you can make a difference in the external world and should. However, be careful to point too much of your spiritual “ammo” outside of yourself.
3. How do we participate in Spiritual Warfare?
   Good soldiers go to war with the right equipment. Our equipment list includes the belt of truth, body armor of righteousness, good news shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Being spiritually equipped involves the truth of God's word in our hearts and minds. Knowing and loving scripture is extremely formative to our character. It also includes a faith based on grace given to us through Christ’s work on the cross. Finally, we are dealing with equipment that’s about sharing the truth of the Gospel, not keeping it to ourselves. These ingredients of the Word, faith, and evangelism equip all good soldiers with everything they need.

Please don’t weaponize spiritual warfare in the wrong ways. When we misuse and misapply this concept, we harm ourselves and others. Look to the examples of the early church by reading the Gospels and the book of Acts to see how Jesus and his disciples engaged in spiritual warfare and do likewise.

Question of the Day
Here's a question for you to think about and apply:
How do you get spiritual warfare wrong in your life? Who do you wrongfully demonize? How can you shift your focus to the evil spirits of our age?