How To Sabotoge the Schemes of the Devil
“13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:10-17
Life becomes very difficult when we begin to evaluate God’s power as equal with the power of hell. Life begins to seem hopeless when we forget that the darkness has no foothold over the power of Christ. Far too often, I give too much power to satan.
This week, I have felt very heavily attacked by spiritual warfare. My mind has been weighty, dark, and full. I kept asking myself: “Why me? Why is God allowing these blows that seem to shatter me? Why do I have to be the one to be attacked in this way; to this depth?” But this was a lie, too. If I were to believe this, I would have to push aside 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” In his book Mere Christianity, C.S Lewis helps with this downcastness-of-soul by encouraging us in this way: “But it [Christianity] does not think this is a war between independent powers. It thinks it is a civil war, a rebellion, and that we are living in a part of the universe occupied by the rebel. Enemy-occupied territory— that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.”
So if God has already won the war, but we’re still in the midst of the battle, what do we do? C.S. gives us great advice: we learn how to sabotage the schemes of the devil.
God helps us on our “great campaign of sabotage” by giving us the weapons and the tools to be able to fight– otherwise known as: the armor of God. The armor of God is very real, and very powerful. But, its effectiveness in helping us win our daily battles against the enemy doesn’t depend on the realness, or the goodness of God. No, our God never changes (James 1:17). The effectiveness of the armor of God depends on how conscious we are each day of our own methods of fighting. Two are offered: one worldly and one Wordly. Each day we make a choice.
Do we:
Let lies run rampant in our heads, or put on the belt of truth?
Gossip and slander with co-workers, or put on the breastplate of righteousness?
Anxiously quarrel with others to be seen as “right”, or make our feet ready for the gospel of peace?
Question the sovereignty of God in a hard season, or put up the shield of faith?
The list goes on.
If you’re like me, I often do not put on the armor of God. Most of the time, I spend my life worshiping God, and simultaneously attempting to fight my own battles. I have found a few problems with this approach. One, being that I don’t fight my battles well, and end up crying out to God in desperation every single time. Another, being that fighting my own battles– or attempting to, means that I am– at the time– unconvinced, or unaware of the power of God.
Follow me here: as Christians, we live in the knowledge that Jesus came as God incarnate, lived, died, and rose again. But, if we treat battles as representations of equal opposition between heaven and hell, we are believing that Jesus didn’t really conquer anything at all. Maybe that’s why our hearts feel as though they are feeble, and broken; angry, and hostile. We say that we believe in the Gospel, but we live each day like we are the ones that are to save our own lives.
Most of the time, I catch myself in this negative loop of fleeting self-salvation, and instead of turning to God, I try to fix it myself. Like a child who ate too many cookies out of the “off limits” cookie jar, I stand in front of my sorry attempts to fulfill myself, and hope that God doesn’t catch on. Luckily, He’s too good of a Father not to notice my discomfort, and my pain.
I’m just like you, friend. I am exhausted; I am weary. Legalism has failed me, and so has this world. Luckily, our cycle can end here. It can end right at this moment. All we have to do is pick up the right weapon to fight with.
Let me formally introduce you to your new greatest assets in the battles of life; your spiritual weapons; The Armor of God:
The Belt of Truth
It is fitting for the Belt of Truth to be the first thing listed, because we must know the truth if we want to fight against lies. In ancient times, only soldiers were allowed to wear the specific kind of belt that is referenced in this scripture (Ephesians 6:14). The majority of soldiers wore their belts all the time, even when they were not in uniform. We must also wear truth at all times, not only while in uniform (at church, while discipling, or leading a small group.) The belt is not just to keep your pants up. It’s not as much a cosmetic tool as it is a representative one. The belt represents a place of standing; it is a statement to others that says: “He is who I fight for. He is who I belong to.”
What could it look like to put on the belt of truth?
Study the word of God, and know the truth of God.
Memorize scripture to bring to mind when attacks come.
Do not debate lies with evidence of the world. Fight lies with the truth of God.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
When there were too many adversaries for a soldier to fight off with his shield, and he became completely overwhelmed, his breastplate kept him safe. The breastplate was designed so that the weight of the metal of the armor would sit on the hips of the soldier, keeping his shoulders free from any load. Similarly, the righteousness of Jesus takes the weight of our battles, too. Adam Clarke synthesizes this piece of armor with scripture clearly. He states: “As the breast-plate defends the heart and lungs, and all those vital functionaries that are contained in what is called the region of the thorax; so this righteousness defends everything on which the man’s spiritual existence depends.” To be made righteous is to be made right. To be made right is to be in alignment with the one who is in and of himself: righteous.
What could it look like to put on the Breastplate of Righteousness?
Prayerfully ask God to show you the places of sin in your life that you are blind to.
Prayerfully ask that your desires might align with the good, perfect, and righteous plans of God.
Feet Fitted with Readiness for the Gospel of Peace
Roman soldiers often wore sandals called “caligae”. These sandals were unlike any other foot protection worn by their enemies. They were fitted with spikes at the bottom to increase traction and stability, and to dig deep into the ground when the terrain got rough. Protecting your feet doesn’t seem to be as important as protecting your head, or your chest. However, the Romans knew that if they protected soldiers’ feet, their troops could endure lengthy journeys and rough paths ahead. They knew that they needed their shoes fitted tight so that when the ground became rocky and unpredictable, they could dig in deeper and find their balance. When scripture urges us to have our “feet fitted with readiness for the gospel of peace”, it is telling us to walk boldly with the knowledge that we are protected. We are stable and steady because the one we follow never changes, and He always keeps his promises. We already have victory over our enemy– the evil one. Peace is ours, but we must actively choose to walk in it.
What could it look like to have your feet fitted with Readiness for the Gospel of Peace?
Practice prayer on a regular basis, finding time to be alone with the Lord.
When you pray, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6-7).
Spend time studying scripture. A great way to rest in the promises of God is to study the promises of God. In scripture, we see time and time again that the Lord always keeps his promises.
Be prepared to experience the rough terrain of life, and pray for the courage to walk through the valley’s confidently in Christ.
Separate the attachment of God’s goodness from your current set of life’s circumstances. Although it can be hard to see in the moment, God’s goodness doesn’t increase or decrease depending on what we’re walking through.
The Shield of Faith
When you look at the shields used in Roman militaries, it’s clear to see why scripture uses this analogy. The shield covered almost the entire body from the enemy. It could also be used to push the enemy back when they got too close, and to block direct attacks. Out of any of the other pieces of armor from God, the shield of faith can be the most difficult to use. Oftentimes I personally feel that protecting myself by my own means will be best. I throw up my arms in fear when attacks from the enemy come. I try to use reason, intelligence, self-confidence, or human affirmation. But time and time again, the devil strikes. Time and time again, I fail to protect my own flesh. Just as a shield is the most effective piece of armor against attacks from an army, faith is the most effective piece of armor against attacks from the enemy.
What could it look like to take up the Shield of Faith?
Develop a deep relationship with the word of God. (This can look like reading your bible regularly, memorizing scripture, or listening to sermons during the week).
Satan loves to try to take a hit on your faith by twisting God’s truth. We see him try to tempt Jesus himself in this way in Matthew 4. Amazingly, Jesus was able to refute each and every attack against the Word that came His way because He knew scripture intimately.
The Helmet of Salvation
The helmet, in Roman times, had two distinct purposes. First, it protected the head. Second, it was used as a form of identification. This helmet, in particular, was called a “galea”.
Our most beautiful promise from Jesus is our salvation. We have been given a mind-boggling promise for restoration, and for a deep relationship with our creator. These promises are a comfort that is too great, and too deep, for words to really explain. A promise like this seems to be just the thing that the enemy would target if he were looking to steal, kill, and destroy you– which is exactly what he is out to do. (John 10:10). Luckily, we have a God who seals us forever as His children. We are marked, and we are His, and neither height nor depth, nor angels nor demons, nor any other power on earth can separate us from our God. (Ephesians 1:13-14)/ (Romans 8:39). Just as the helmet protects, we are protected. Just as the helmet identifies, we are known by God.
What could it look like to put on the Helmet of Salvation?
Practice believing scripture as you read it. This sounds elementary, but bear with me. If you read a promise from God that is hard for you to grasp or to believe, feel free to sit with it, and pray on it, but do not ignore it. Doubts come and go, but we must invite God into them to practice casting them out. We cannot cast them out on our own. Do not simply read the bible to read it. Read the bible to be aware, and to be confident of the promises that we are given in Christ.
Walk in the assurance that you have been saved. Memorize Ephesians 1:13-14 and meditate on its significance for you.
The Sword of the Spirit
Welcome to the last piece of the armor of God, and the first defensive and offensive piece of armor. The sword of the Spirit is only effective (as any sword is) if it is used properly. Scripture tells us clearly in Ephesians 6:17 that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.
What could it look like to use the Sword of the Spirit?
Be in scripture! Study the word deeply with the help of commentaries, and (most importantly) prayer.
Be sure to study the word within context.
I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t end this blog post honestly, so that’s what I’m going to do now. Truthfully, the enemy wants you to take these words lightly. That would make him giddy. He wants you to read, to feel inspired, and to not take action.
Oftentimes I think of the devil as an annoying voice in my head, or a red cartoon with horns who sits on my shoulder and pokes me 24/7 and tries his best to make my life miserable. I severely underplay the ferocity of his murderous desires, the pure ungodliness of each of his pursuits, and the level to which God hates his every move. Everywhere that Satan travels, a foul scent follows. Everywhere he resides, the most vile of things take place. The evil one does not take his pursuit to destroy us lightly. But, because of Jesus, we will not be destroyed. Good will conquer evil, and the Lord will keep his children safe and held fast.
Realize this, if nothing else: It is dangerous for us to underestimate the evil of Satan, but it is even more dangerous for us to underestimate the righteousness of Jesus our King.
Today, I encourage you to:
Know your enemy well, and know your God better.
Beat him at his own game; sabotage the plans of the evil one by putting on the armor of God.
**Click the Spotify icon above to listen to an encouraging worship playlist as you battle spiritual warfare with Jesus this week.
Sources used in this post:
https://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/christian-conversion/armor-of-god/breastplate-of-righteousness
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-is-a-shield-of-faith-and-how-do-i-wear-mine.html
