“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord (be empowered through your union with Him); draw your strength from Him (that strength which His boundless might provides). Put on God’s whole armor (the armor of a heavy – armed soldier which God supplies), that you may be able successfully to stand up against (all) the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents), but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day (of danger), and having done all (the crisis demands), to stand (firmly in your place).” ~ Ephesians 6:10-13 (Amp)

Whether you realize it or not, you wake up every morning on a spiritual battlefield. Unused weapons are ineffective against the enemy. No wars are won without a battle plan and an arsenal. Wars are only won by fighting, and fighting involves using our weapons—not stashing them in the corner of our hearts or parading them around, but by using them. I am not talking about natural weapons here, but rather, spiritual weapons that have been made available to us as Christians.

Your Bible sitting on the nightstand or carried under your arm will not overcome the enemy. Even God’s Word stored in your mind and heart will not thwart him. Satan must hear the Word coming out of your mouth. When you thrust the Word at him like a dagger, to it results in his defeat. You overcome the devil by actively applying the blood of the Lamb and speaking the word of your testimony.

Revelation 12:11 (Amplified) says, “And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony…”

Most of us know these truths, but many times we fail to translate them into action. One reason is because we’ve allowed our spirits to become weak. We don’t have the inner strength and energy to do what we know we should.

Proverbs 18:14 (AMP) says, it’s the strong spirit of a man that sustains him in bodily pain or trouble. So if you are going to have the power you need to fight the good fight of faith when trouble comes, you must be spiritually strong!

That’s why the apostle Paul begins his lesson on spiritual warfare in his letter to the Ephesians by saying, “…be strong in the Lord (be empowered through your union with Him); draw your strength from Him (that strength which His boundless might provides). (Ephesians 6:10) AMP

Paul realized that the spiritual strength necessary to contend and wrestle with the spiritual forces arrayed against us comes to us through union and fellowship with Jesus. It comes to us as we feed on His Word and drink of the water of His Spirit.

We need to remember that our spirit is just like our body. It needs nourishment to stay healthy and strong. It needs vitamins and nutrients. It needs lots of good food. Your spirit man must be fed—not weekly or monthly but daily!

So feed on God’s Word, be transformed by the renewing of your mind and strengthen your spiritual muscles. Use the artillery of God’s Word to fight your battles and experience the victory promised by our Lord.