“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV). From Genesis 3, to Revelation 20, there is a spiritual war between God and Satan, between light and darkness, between good and evil.
Spiritual warfare is primarily fought in the heart and mind. Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” (Matthew 15:19 NKJV), the apostle Paul instructs us to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV).
Spiritual warfare primarily focuses on the devil, and his demonic host, though they certainly will appeal to the flesh, through things such as pleasures, sexual immorality, drunkenness, sorcery, idolatry, self-worship, pride, and many more, they will also use worldly means for temptation, anxiety, fear, lust, distractions, and peer pressure, to name just a few. The end means of spiritual warfare is for souls. The Apostle Paul tells us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3–4 NKJV). God has given us many wonderful weapons, including the Holy Spirit (John 14:16 NKJV). In Christ, we do not stand alone, but in the power and promises of God. In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul lists several weapons we have been given for spiritual warfare, including the breastplate of righteousness (V.14), gospel boots (V.15), the shield of faith ( V.16), the helmet of salvation (V.17), and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (V.17).
At the cross, Jesus “disarmed principalities and powers” (Colossians 2:15 NKJV). Though these are battles we still fight daily, Christ has already secured victory for all who place their faith in Him. He has given us the tools listed above so we can walk in victory over sin and turn to the cross when we stumble along the way. (1 John 2:1 NKJV). Prior to Paul teaching on the weapons of warfare in Ephesians 6, He says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10 NKJV), to stand strong in spiritual battles we need to have a strong relationship with Christ, to have this we must take the following steps, 1. Have the right heart towards God, (Matthew 22:37 NKJV), 2. Be in the Word daily (Matthew 4:4 NKJV), 3. Pray with ceasing (Luke 18:1 NKJV).