Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak (Ephesians 6:10–20).
The Lord gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Every believer is called to be involved in the glorious, joy-filled, and grace-filled life of being a disciple and making disciples. I am called to start with myself, strive to ensure that I have committed my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and be a faithful follower of Him.
When considering the reality of spiritual warfare in our world, a truth that we are wise to understand as believers is this: Carrying out the work of discipleship – that is, the work of being a disciple and making disciples – is directly connected to living a life of victory amid spiritual warfare.
In other words, when a believer is faithfully being a disciple and making disciples, that man or woman is battling the kingdom of darkness and being victorious.
As we who follow Christ read the Word of God and obey it, and as we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and obey Him, we battle the darkness – and are building the kingdom of God.
So, it can be said that simple obedience to God and His Word is an extremely effective battle strategy for victory in all of life.
The Word of God is the eternal wisdom of God. As we who are disciples of Christ listen to His wisdom and obey it, we are following the counsel of our almighty heavenly Father, who knows everything!
God’s battle strategies work. So, we are wise to major in listening to Him and His Word and obeying Him.
Be aware of this truth: Obedience to God and His Word puts you on spiritual offense and keeps you there.
It is true that the best defense is an offense.
So may we, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, be wise and strategic enough to simply do what we are told. That is – Go and make disciples of all nations.
And as we listen to God’s counsel and wisdom and follow it, as we carry out the Great Commission, more and more, we will see victory on the battlefields of life.
