Week 6 - Combat Part 2
October 19, 2025
Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God's saints have been held. E.M. Bounds
Last week, we focused on our purpose as God’s Holy people to bring the upside-down kingdom of heaven to earth. This brings opposition from Satan because it is the last thing he wants. While this is our main purpose, sometimes we do have to take our gloves off and hit him where it hurts. But again, you may be surprised by how that looks.
One of the most famous passages in the New Testament used to talk about spiritual warfare is Ephesians 6.10-20, and rightfully so, as this passage holds incredible truth. Paul urges us to stand in God’s truth, peace, goodness, righteousness, faithfulness, and salvation, all the while using the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God to fight against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This beckons us back to Nehemiah who taught his team of dedicated workers who were rebuilding the temple how to continue the work while still holding a sword. You will read that account this week.
There are three important things to focus on in Ephesians 6.10-20. One is that the battle is not against people. People are who Jesus came to! It is Satan who began blocking ears, covering eyes, and hardening hearts so the gospel would not be understood and received. Him and his minions are at work to get people focused on things that are not of God’s upside-down kingdom. Those who don’t know Jesus’ saving grace are not to blame for their worldly focus.
Secondly, standing firm looks like choosing truth, peace, goodness, righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, and the Word of God as a lifestyle. It is important to note that we must walk in these ways by the power of the Spirit. We do not put on the armor and then go about our day not living in these ways. Standing firm as a lifestyle is where the heart of the battle is and where you can expect the attacks to hit the hardest. It is the enemy’s goal to get you to waiver in any of these areas. Then your witness becomes compromised, and the upside-down kingdom cannot be seen in its fullness.
Thirdly, we pray. We often leave off verses 19 and 20 where Paul brings us back to the most important thing: ensuring the gospel is made known throughout the world. We stand firm in our lifestyle as a Jesus follower and continue to take the upside-down kingdom everywhere we go – our fuel is prayer. One thing you can always be sure of is it is God’s will that we pray for the gospel to be made known. The reason Jesus came was to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3.8) which is death. Jesus’ work is everlasting life – that is the upside-down kingdom. We pray to that end – which is no end at all!
Begin with the prayer and instructions on the How to Start page. Be sure you have spent time in worship. Finally, ask Holy Spirit to help you hear from Him before you read. Take time to listen.
As you read each day, write down what it looks like to stand firm against the rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces of darkness. How is God speaking to you about what the battle looks like in your life? Where might you need to confess and repent that your lifestyle does not reflect that of Ephesians 6.10-20?
Day 1 Ephesians 6.10-20
Day 2 Nehemiah 4
Day 3 2 Corinthians 10
Day 4 Matthew 5.43-6.15
Day 5 Psalm 35
Additional Scriptures for the week
