In yesterday’s devotional I encouraged you to acknowledge that the battle of spiritual warfare is real.

God is on the warpath against evil, sin, and darkness—and many of his foot soldiers are often taking a nap.

Neil Anderson and Timothy Warner observe: “The difference between military warfare and spiritual warfare is that we are always in the battle, whether we realize it or not.”*

Continuing with this theme, today I want to reassure you. Even though the battle is real there is nothing to fear. After all, the fight has been fixed! Satan and his workers were fatally wounded by the victory of Jesus at the cross and empty tomb. There are still some skirmishes going on, but the end result is not in doubt.

That’s why we can live security under the sovereignty of the Lord.

As you read through the Gospels you discover than no menace is a match for Jesus. He is greater—and we belong to the One who is great!

The frequently quoted Ephesians 6:10-11 teaches us where the emphasis lay: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Because of this, puritan William Gurnall says that you may doubt “your own strength, but never doubt Christ’s.”**

The battle is very much real. But you can live securely under the sovereignty of the Lord.

—–

—NEW sermon and bonus material: “The battle is real” is my latest sermon (related to today’s devotional). This post also includes additional background material for those who want to go deeper into the text of Luke 4:31-44, including information about spiritual warfare and demons. Access it all here; the bonus material is the third of three files.

–Latest blog: “A Troubling Week for the World – Specific things to pray (and work) for from January 17-23.” Click here to read. Listening option available.

–*Neil T. Anderson and Timothy M. Warner, The Essential Guide to Spiritual Warfare (Minneapolis: BethanyHouse, 2000), p. 139.

–**William Gurnall, ed. James S. Bell, The Christian in Complete Armour (Chicago: Moody Press, 1984), entry for Jan 19)

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.