SIZE UP YOUR OPPONENT

After committing to the fight and fortifying ourselves with the proper clothes, the next step is sizing up our opponent. As believers who are clothed in Christ, we size up the opponent by first focusing on how powerful and mighty God is. We can be fearless when we understand that if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). Our confidence will also rise when we remember that Jesus has given us authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).

Not only does God equip us with supernatural weapons, but He also teaches us how to be victorious in battle by fighting His way:

Fight the enemy with scripture.

The Bible describes God’s Word as the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). It’s the only offensive weapon included in our spiritual arsenal. Reading, understanding, and knowing the Bible is the only way to be victorious over Satan’s lies and deception. Jesus said, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Jesus modeled this practice for us when He overcame Satan in the wilderness. He used God’s Word as an offensive weapon and Satan fled (Matthew 4). Satan also knows the importance of scripture, and even memorized its passages so he could distort what it says. As God’s children, we need to be more prepared than Satan by dedicating time to learning and holding God’s word in our hearts. Don’t show up to a fight without the weapon God entrusted to you, especially when you know the opponent has an arsenal of his own.

Fight the enemy with praise.

Praise is warfare! The enemy can’t stand to hear us praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Praise and thanksgiving are weapons that cause the enemy to run away in fear. When we submit to God and resist the devil, he doesn’t just walk away, he flees! (James 4:7). Be vocal about your love and devotion to God, and your voice will be anathema to Satan’s ears. 

Fight the enemy by speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves. 

When we consider others more important than ourselves, it’s impossible to stay idle. God’s children must speak the truth—even if our voices shake—to a lost and hurting world. What stirs your heart? What gives you purpose? It may be speaking up for the unborn, the homeless, victims of human trafficking . . . the list goes on and on. Speaking the truth isn’t easy, but being fearless offers rewards for our human lives and for eternity. If not you, then who?

Fight the enemy through prayer.

Never underestimate the power of prayer. When we spend time in prayer, our relationship with the Lord grows and our faith increases. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). 

In conclusion, remember that you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. Greater is He who is living in you than he who is in the world. You are here for such a time as this. As the song says, “If you’re not dead, then God’s not done!” Now size up your opponent and fight–from victory!

CONSIDER THIS:

The smile of God is victory. - John Greenleaf Whittier