Fight From Victory

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” — Ephesians 6:12 NIV

With everything happening in the world around us, it is more important than ever to understand what Paul was teaching the church in Ephesians 6.

There is a spiritual battle taking place, but we need to be very clear about who our enemy is.

People are not the enemy.

Your neighbour isn’t the enemy. Your colleague isn’t the enemy. People who disagree with you aren’t the enemy. Governments and world leaders are not ultimately the enemy.

Paul gives us a different perspective: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood.”

That doesn’t mean evil isn’t real, or that injustice shouldn’t be confronted. It means that as followers of Jesus, we must be careful not to turn people into our enemies.

Paul Saw Beyond the Prison Cell

Think about Paul’s circumstances when he wrote these words. He was in prison. He had suffered beatings. He had been persecuted and mistreated because of his faith. He had every reason to hate and despise the people who beat him and threw him in his cell, yet he saw what was happening from a spiritual perspective. He understood that those who arrested him were not the enemy.

There is a war going on in the spirit realm and it is imperative that we recognise who our enemy is.

When someone hurts us, it is very easy to make that person the focus of our anger. When we see wickedness in the world, we can become consumed by outrage. When we disagree with someone, we can quickly move from opposing an idea to opposing the person.

But recognise this. Our enemy is the devil who has already been defeated.

The war has already been won on the cross and we share in this victory!

Paul tells us that God “raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:20–21 NIV).

Jesus isn’t struggling to become victorious. He is victorious.

Colossians 2:15 tells us that Christ “disarmed the powers and authorities” and made a public spectacle of them, “triumphing over them by the cross” (NIV).

That’s why we don’t fight for victory. We fight from victory.

There is a difference.

When you pray, you aren’t trying to persuade Jesus to defeat the devil. Jesus has already won. When you stand against fear, you aren’t standing alone. When you resist temptation, you aren’t relying solely on your own strength. You stand in the authority of the One who has already conquered.

Stand Your Ground

So what do we do when the battle gets intense?

Paul tells us to “put on the full armour of God” so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).

We pray.
We speak God’s truth.
We guard our minds.
We walk in righteousness.
We hold onto faith.
We proclaim the Gospel.
And we keep our eyes on Jesus.

You don’t need to spend your life fighting people.

Fight the right battle.

And remember the words of Jesus:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 NIV

The world may be shaking, but Jesus isn’t.
The enemy may rage, but Jesus reigns.
The battle may be real, but the ultimate victory belongs to Christ.

So stand firm today.
Pray with confidence. Love people fiercely. Resist the enemy. Speak truth. Walk in peace.

And whatever you’re facing, remember:

You are not fighting for victory. You are standing in the victory Jesus has already won.

Believe & Confess Meditation & Declaration

I declare that my struggle is not against flesh and blood, and I refuse to treat people as my ultimate enemy [Ephesians 6:12]. I believe that Jesus Christ is far above every rule, authority, power and dominion [Ephesians 1:20–21]. I declare that Christ has triumphed over the powers of darkness through the cross [Colossians 2:15]. I choose to put on the full armour of God and stand firm [Ephesians 6:11–13]. I receive the peace of Jesus because He has overcome the world [John 16:33]. I declare that I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me [Romans 8:37].

👉If this devotional encouraged you today, share it with a friend on social media or send it by email. Someone may be looking at the turmoil around them through natural eyes today and needs the reminder to lift their eyes to Jesus, stand in His victory and fight the right battle.

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