by Rebekah Harvey

We live in a battle zone, and part of the battle that we face as Christians is temptation. It is so important for us to realize how real the spirit realm actually is. This is the reason that we have to fight off the temptation that comes to us through our thoughts. If we are being influenced or tempted to do something evil, unholy, or justify ungodly behavior then we are vulnerable to submitting to the influence of these wicked spirits. Everything begins in the spirit. The enemy will try to put thoughts in our minds to get us off course. Not just thoughts to do bad things, but he wants to put wrong thoughts about God, the Bible, our families, our church family and on the list goes. It is a spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints–”

We have what we need to be successful in battle against the enemy in the spiritual realm. We have been provided the full armor of God and the sword of the Spirit. The sword is the only piece of the armor of God that is an offensive weapon, the armor is defensive. That is why it is so important for us to read the Word of God, to memorize it and think about it and constantly be filled up, it is what allows us to have victory against the enemy. Remember when Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness He was able to defeat him by using the Word that was stored up in His heart.

The spiritual world is real and more so than most of us probably realize. Do you ever stop and think about how real the spiritual world is?  If we consider this reality, perhaps that would help us to overcome temptation, we would better understand that our enemy is after us. We don’t have to live in fear of the enemy, instead we can live in power through the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-18 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Jesus was attacked by temptation from the enemy so we can expect the same in our lives. He used the Word of God to defeat the enemy and we need to do the same to defeat him as well.