A few weeks ago, my family and I went to Colorado for a trip filled with sweet moments and much-needed quality time. It was my parents, my sister and her husband, and my two little kids. We had a wonderful time, but as any parent knows, taking little ones into the snow requires preparation.
Before the trip, I hunted down the right layers—ski masks, earmuffs, and all the essential gear to keep them warm. Every day, before heading outside into the freezing 9-degree weather, we layered them up meticulously. The layers were for my chioldren’s protection. If I didn’t bundle them up properly, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the elements, and their time in the snow would be miserable.
That’s when it hit me—our Heavenly Father does the same for us. He knows the storms we walk into every day, and he has given us the necessary armor to stand firm.
Before the trip, I hunted down the right layers—ski masks, earmuffs, and all the essential gear to keep them warm. Every day, before heading outside into the freezing 9-degree weather, we layered them up meticulously. The layers were for my chioldren’s protection. If I didn’t bundle them up properly, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the elements, and their time in the snow would be miserable.
That’s when it hit me—our Heavenly Father does the same for us. He knows the storms we walk into every day, and he has given us the necessary armor to stand firm.
Recognizing the Battle
Often, we are like children, unaware of the storm surrounding us. We don’t always see the spiritual battle waging around us. Ephesians 6 makes it clear that there is an enemy actively working against us:
The enemy wants to deceive us. He wants us to either ignore his presence or become so preoccupied with fear that we are paralyzed. But Paul reminds us that we are to stand firm against the enemy’s tactics—not fight him—God does that—but resist him by putting on the armor God has provided.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:11-12.
The enemy wants to deceive us. He wants us to either ignore his presence or become so preoccupied with fear that we are paralyzed. But Paul reminds us that we are to stand firm against the enemy’s tactics—not fight him—God does that—but resist him by putting on the armor God has provided.
The Enemy’s Schemes
The devil has been using the same strategies since the beginning of time. Understanding his tactics allows us to recognize his attacks before they take root. Here are some of his most common schemes:
1. Division
2. Deception
3. Accusation
4. Distraction
1. Division
The enemy seeks to divide what Christ has united. He wants to sow discord in marriages, families, friendships, and churches. We are often tempted to see our spouse, boss, or political opponent as the enemy—but the real enemy is Satan. We must recognize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood.
2. Deception
The enemy distorts God’s truth. He whispers lies like “Follow your heart,” twisting scripture to make sin seem justifiable. He takes good things—like work, relationships, and material blessings—and shifts our focus until those things become idols. He plants half-truths so subtly that we don’t even realize we’ve veered off course.
3. Accusation
Satan is called “the accuser.” He wants to make us doubt God’s love and question our identity. He reminds us of past sins and convinces us that we are unworthy of grace. But God has already declared us forgiven and redeemed.
4. Distraction
One of the enemy’s most effective weapons is distraction. He keeps us busy, consumed with social media, work, and entertainment, so that we neglect our time with God. He makes material possessions seem more urgent than our spiritual growth. Before we know it, we are spiritually weak because we haven’t been feeding our souls.
These schemes should make us mad. The enemy is actively working against us—but the good news is that we don’t have to fight this battle alone. God has already equipped us for victory.
The Armor of God
Ephesians 6 lays out the armor God has given us to stand firm:
1. Belt of Truth
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
4. Shield of Faith
5. Helmet of Salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit (Word of God)
1. Belt of Truth
Truth holds everything together. The enemy thrives on deception, so we must buckle ourselves with God’s truth. When lies creep in—about our worth, our future, or our past—we combat them by standing on Scripture.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
Righteousness is not about our own perfection but about the covering of Christ. When we walk in obedience and pursue holiness, we protect our hearts from the enemy’s attacks.
3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
The gospel is our foundation. When we prioritize sharing and living out the gospel, we are ready for any challenge. Don’t get distracted by secondary pursuits—stay grounded in the gospel.
4. Shield of Faith
Faith extinguishes the flaming arrows of the enemy. When doubts, temptations, and accusations come, we hold up our faith, trusting in God’s promises rather than our circumstances.
5. Helmet of Salvation
Our mind is the enemy’s favorite battlefield. We must protect our thoughts with the assurance of salvation. No matter what the enemy whispers, our salvation in Christ is secure.
6. Sword of the Spirit (Word of God)
God’s Word is our weapon. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He countered the enemy with Scripture. We must do the same. If we don’t know God’s Word, we will be defenseless against the lies of the enemy.
The Power of Prayer
Finally, Paul tells us to pray. A soldier can be fully armored, but without communication with the commander, he won’t know where to go. Prayer keeps us connected to God. It allows us to stay alert and aware of the battle around us.
“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” Ephesians 6:18.
“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” Ephesians 6:18.
Time to Wake Up
Paul repeatedly tells us to stay awake and be alert. Why? Because we have a tendency to fall asleep spiritually. Even Jesus’ disciples fell asleep the night before His crucifixion when He asked them to keep watch and pray (Mark 14:37-38).
The enemy wins when we are distracted and asleep. But today, we have a choice. We can wake up. We can put on the armor of God. We can stand firm.
So, let me ask you: How is the enemy attacking you?
Is he sowing division in your marriage? Deceiving you with subtle lies? Accusing you of unworthiness? Distracting you from your purpose? Recognize the scheme, put on your armor, and stand firm in the power of Christ.
Because here’s the truth—you don’t have to fight the enemy. Jesus already won.
Your job? Stand firm.
The enemy wins when we are distracted and asleep. But today, we have a choice. We can wake up. We can put on the armor of God. We can stand firm.
So, let me ask you: How is the enemy attacking you?
Is he sowing division in your marriage? Deceiving you with subtle lies? Accusing you of unworthiness? Distracting you from your purpose? Recognize the scheme, put on your armor, and stand firm in the power of Christ.
Because here’s the truth—you don’t have to fight the enemy. Jesus already won.
Your job? Stand firm.