Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, Christian Life Resources
Every Christian is caught in a war between good and evil. The casualties of this war have included the most vulnerable: the unborn, the disabled, and the elderly. The wounded are the weary Christians who feel it is an uphill struggle.
Daily, we face an increasingly hostile world that challenges our fundamental beliefs about the sanctity of human life, the authority of Scripture, and the very nature of truth itself. The question is not whether we will encounter opposition, but how we will respond when the battle lines are drawn. The apostle Paul understood this reality when he encouraged Timothy with these words: “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). This is not merely a suggestion for the spiritually mature—it is a command for every believer who takes their faith seriously.
The Nature of Our Enemy
Peter warns:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
The devil’s strategy has not changed since the Garden of Eden. He seeks to undermine God’s word, distort His truth, and ultimately lead us away from faith into a life of unbelief and eternal damnation.
What makes this battle particularly challenging is that Satan rarely attacks us directly. Instead, he works through political parties, organizations that promote abortion or euthanasia, medical groups, educational systems, and media outlets to carry out his destructive purposes. Paul warned us:
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 6:12)
This truth should fundamentally change how we approach the troubling issues of our society. While we may find ourselves opposing certain organizations or policies, we must never lose sight of the real enemy. The person advocating for abortion rights, the school board member promoting harmful curricula, or the politician supporting euthanasia—these individuals are not our ultimate opponents. They are, in many cases, unwitting pawns in a much larger spiritual conflict. And, they are often our mission field.
The Source of Our Strength
Recognizing the true nature of our battle should humble us. This battle will not be won at the ballot box, using clever arguments, or sheer determination. These are essential tools for managing symptoms. Our strength for the great battle of the soul, however, comes from the Lord and His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10-11).
This is where many well-meaning Christians falter. We become so focused on the symptoms that we neglect the internal preparation necessary for spiritual warfare. Before we can effectively stand against the devil’s schemes, we need to be grounded in God’s Word (Hebrews 5:11-6:3). Only through consistent study of Scripture, regular prayer, and faithful participation in the means of grace can we develop the spiritual muscles necessary for this fight.
The armor Paul describes in Ephesians 6:14-17 is not merely metaphorical—it represents real spiritual realities that must be cultivated in our lives. The belt of truth means we are identified as people who don’t lie or are fooled by lies. The breastplate of righteousness means the perfect righteousness of Christ protects our hearts. Our feet are fitted with readiness to march for the sake of the gospel. Our shield of faith protects us from the attacking arrows of the devil. The helmet of salvation guards our most vulnerable area—our minds and thoughts. And the sword of the Spirit, God’s word, is our only offensive weapon.
The Call to Action
Understanding our enemy and our Source of strength motivates us to engage effectively. Paul concludes his discussion of spiritual armor with two crucial admonitions: pray and remain alert (Ephesians 6:18). These activities require intentional effort and discipline.
Consider the scenarios we face in our daily lives. When a friend contemplates abortion, our response must be grounded in prayer and Scripture, not mere emotional appeals. When harmful curricula infiltrate our schools, we must engage the battle with both the sword of the Spirit and persistent prayer. When pro-abortion billboards mar our communities, we combat them through truthful counter-messaging supported by fervent intercession.
Every external action of ours must be grounded in spiritual preparation. We cannot expect to win battles in the public square if we are not winning battles in our prayer closets. We cannot effectively defend the sanctity of life in legislative halls if we are not regularly feeding our souls with the word of life.
Living as Warriors
This perspective fundamentally changes how we approach life. We are not merely churchgoers trying to be nice people—we are soldiers in God’s army fighting for eternal stakes. This impacts our priorities, time management, entertainment choices, and cultural engagement.
We cannot be spiritually lazy or biblically illiterate. The enemy is too cunning and the battles too important for casual Christianity. We must train in the disciplines of faith as soldiers train for combat.
Every encounter is a potential battlefield. The conversation with a pregnant teenager, the school board meeting, the political rally, the family gathering—these are all arenas where the war between good and evil plays out. In each situation, we must be prepared to deploy the full armor of God.
The Promise of Victory
The good news is that this intense fight has a certain outcome. Christ won the decisive victory at Calvary. The devil is defeated, even though he continues to rage. We fight not “for” victory but “from” victory.
We engage in this battle knowing that God’s word will not return empty (Isaiah 55:11). Every prayer offered in faith, every truth spoken in love, every life defended with courage, contributes to God’s ultimate triumph over evil.
The question is not whether God will win—He already has. The question is how we will serve as His instruments in this ongoing campaign until He returns to claim complete victory. Fight the good fight of faith with the dedication, preparation, and hope that befits soldiers in the army of the victorious God.
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