Engaging the Spiritual Battle: Walking in Christ's Victory

Devotional

Day 1: Our Battle Is Spiritual, Not Merely Physical

Every issue we face in our world—whether personal struggles, broken relationships, or societal conflicts—has a spiritual root at its core. It is easy to get caught up in the visible, tangible aspects of our problems, but Scripture reminds us that our true struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. When we interpret the world only through a carnal lens, we miss the deeper reality and the authority we have as spiritual beings. The call is to recognize the spiritual dimension of every challenge and to respond not with human strategies alone, but with spiritual discernment and prayer. [01:04:50]

Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Reflection: Where in your life have you been fighting a “flesh and blood” battle that you now realize is actually spiritual? How can you begin to address it differently this week?

Day 2: God Gives Us Eyes to See and Ears to Hear

God has given His people the ability to perceive the realities of His kingdom, to see and hear what He is doing in the spiritual realm. Yet, too often, our interpretations are shaped by news, social media, and worldly voices rather than by prayer and the Word. Jesus declared that those who follow Him are blessed with eyes that see and ears that hear, a gift that many prophets and righteous people longed for. The invitation is to intentionally seek God’s perspective, asking the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual senses so we can discern His truth and respond accordingly. [01:10:03]

Matthew 13:11-17 (ESV)
And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: ‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life or the world where you need God to give you spiritual eyes and ears? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His perspective to you today.

Day 3: Stand Firm and Put On the Full Armor of God

Protection in the spiritual battle requires more than just awareness—it demands that we stand in the right place and put on every piece of the armor God provides. Each part of the armor is essential, and without the full set, we leave ourselves vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes. It is not enough to simply hope for God’s protection; we must actively align ourselves with His truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word, and remain alert in prayer. When we do, we are equipped to withstand whatever comes against us and to stand firm in the victory Christ has won. [01:13:44]

Ephesians 6:14-18 (ESV)
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

Reflection: Which piece of God’s armor do you most often neglect, and what practical step can you take today to “put it on” in your life?

Day 4: Pray in the Spirit and Pursue Spiritual Gifts

Praying in the Spirit is not just a spiritual experience for a select few, but a vital practice for every believer, especially when we do not know what to pray. The Holy Spirit is present in every situation, even when we cannot see or understand what is happening. Praying in the Spirit—whether through tongues or deep surrender—aligns us with God’s will and empowers us to intercede beyond our own understanding. The gifts of the Spirit, including discernment and prophecy, are given for the building up of the church and for victory over darkness. We are encouraged to pursue these gifts and to let the Spirit lead us in prayer and action. [01:15:45]

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Reflection: When you face situations where you don’t know how to pray, are you willing to let the Holy Spirit lead you—even if it means stepping outside your comfort zone? What would that look like for you today?

Day 5: Walk in Victory and Share It with Others

Victory in Christ is not just a personal assurance—it is a calling to live boldly and to bring hope to others. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us, and nothing can separate us from His love. Yet, this victory is not meant to be hoarded or abused; it is meant to be shared, to bring light to our neighborhoods, cities, and the world. The enemy’s goal is to deceive people into thinking they are defeated, but as the victorious church, we are called to declare and demonstrate the love and power of Jesus everywhere we go. [01:19:34]

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the victory and love of Jesus through you this week? How can you intentionally share that hope with them?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate the goodness of God in our community, from the joy of new engagements to the simple, profound moments of family life. These everyday blessings remind us of the nearness of God, even as we face the pain and confusion of a broken world. The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk and the turmoil in places like Ukraine and Israel weigh heavily on our hearts, but these are not just political or social issues—they are deeply spiritual. Our greatest need is not for sharper political opinions, but for a renewed vision of Jesus and a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

We are not merely human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings living out a human experience. This truth changes how we interpret everything around us. The real battle is not against people or ideologies, but against spiritual forces of darkness. Too often, we process the world through the lens of social media or news outlets, rather than through prayer and the Word of God. The church’s greatest failing is not in losing cultural influence, but in neglecting its spiritual authority and discernment.

Ephesians 6 calls us to put on the full armor of God, to stand firm, and to pray in the Spirit at all times. This is not just a metaphor—it is a call to spiritual vigilance and dependence on God’s power. We must seek the gift of discernment, asking the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and ears to what He is doing. The gifts of the Spirit, including praying in tongues, are not optional extras but essential tools for navigating a world in crisis.

Victory is already ours in Christ, but this is not a license for passivity. We are called to walk in that victory, to engage the world with compassion, and to bring the light of Christ into every dark place. The enemy’s strategy is to deceive us into thinking we are powerless or that our battle is against other people. But our true calling is to declare and demonstrate the victory of Jesus, not just for ourselves, but for our families, our city, and our world. As we ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts, He will remind us of our purpose, our identity, and our mission to impart His love and truth to others.

Key Takeaways

1. The true crisis in our world is spiritual, not political or social. Our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces that seek to divide, deceive, and destroy. Recognizing this shifts our focus from blaming people or systems to seeking God’s intervention and authority in every situation. [66:25]
2. We must interpret the events of our lives and the world through a spiritual lens, not a carnal one. When we process news and conflict through prayer and Scripture, rather than through social media or our emotions, we gain God’s perspective and peace. This discipline requires intentionality and humility, but it is the only way to discern what God is truly doing. [70:03]
3. The armor of God is not a suggestion but a necessity for every believer. Each piece—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer—protects us from spiritual attack and enables us to stand firm. Neglecting any part leaves us vulnerable, but embracing the full armor empowers us to resist the enemy and advance God’s kingdom. [73:44]
4. Praying in the Spirit is a vital practice for navigating uncertainty and spiritual warfare. When we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, giving us language and insight beyond our understanding. Pursuing the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, is not about spiritual elitism but about equipping ourselves for the battles we face. [75:45]
5. Walking in Christ’s victory means actively engaging the world with hope and compassion, not retreating in fear or apathy. The enemy wants to convince us that we are powerless or that our battle is with other people, but our true authority is in Christ. As we declare and live out our victory, we become agents of transformation in our homes, neighborhoods, and beyond. [80:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Celebrating Clancy and Janelle’s Engagement
[02:30] - Reflections on Family and Seasons of Change
[06:00] - Grieving and Compassion in a Broken World
[09:30] - The Lordship of Christ Over All
[12:00] - A Call to See Jesus Above All
[14:00] - The Church’s Spiritual Responsibility
[16:00] - Ephesians 6 and the Armor of God
[19:00] - Spiritual Beings in a Human Experience
[22:00] - The Root of Our Struggles: Spiritual Issues
[25:00] - The Need for Discernment and Prophetic Vision
[28:00] - Interpreting the World Through God’s Lens
[31:00] - Standing in the Right Place and Wearing the Armor
[34:00] - Praying in the Spirit and Pursuing Spiritual Gifts
[37:00] - Walking in Victory and Engaging the World
[40:00] - Prayer for Open Eyes and Ears

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV) — 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 6:12, who or what is our real struggle against? How does this compare to how we usually view conflict in the world?
What are the different pieces of the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:14-17, and what does each one represent?
In the sermon, what examples did the pastor give of spiritual issues being at the root of problems we often see as political or social? ([01:06:25])
What does Paul instruct believers to do “at all times” in Ephesians 6:18, and how did the sermon describe this practice? ([01:14:46])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “We are not merely human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings living out a human experience.” How does this perspective change the way a Christian might interpret current events or personal struggles? ([01:04:50])
Why is it important, according to both Ephesians 6 and the sermon, to “put on the full armor of God” rather than just some pieces? What might happen if we neglect certain parts? ([01:13:44])
The pastor emphasized praying in the Spirit, including praying in tongues, as essential for spiritual warfare. Why might this be necessary, especially when we don’t know what to pray? ([01:15:45])
The sermon claims that the real crisis in our world is spiritual, not political or social. How does this shift the way we should respond to news, conflict, or tragedy? ([01:06:25])

Application Questions

The pastor asked, “How many of you spent more time in the Word than you did on social media this week?” What does your own week look like in this area? What is one practical step you could take to process news and conflict through prayer and Scripture instead of just your emotions or social media? ([01:10:03])
Think about a recent situation—global or personal—where you felt powerless or frustrated. How might viewing it as a spiritual battle, rather than just a human problem, change your response? ([01:06:25])
The sermon challenged us to seek the gift of discernment and to ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and ears. What would it look like for you to intentionally pray for discernment this week? Is there a specific decision or relationship where you need this? ([01:08:09])
The armor of God includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer. Which piece do you feel you most often neglect, and how could you “put it on” more intentionally in your daily life? ([01:13:44])
The pastor warned against “abusing victory” by becoming passive or disengaged. In what area of your life have you been tempted to retreat or give up, thinking “God will just take care of it”? What would it look like to walk in Christ’s victory with hope and compassion instead? ([01:17:34])
The enemy’s strategy is to convince us that our battle is against other people. Is there someone in your life you’ve been viewing as the enemy? How can you shift your perspective and pray for them as someone made in the image of God? ([01:18:16])
The sermon ended with a prayer: “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.” What is one area where you need God to open your eyes or ears this week? How will you make space to listen for His voice? ([01:22:38])

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