The Enemy is Real

March 26, 2025

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

-Ephesians 6:12

When Jesus is born in that stable, there is a war going on beyond our sight. While John was in exile on the island of Patmos, he had a vision of this war. That vision is recorded in the book of Revelation:

Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.  She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth.

Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads.  His tail swept away one-third of the stars in the sky, and he threw them to the earth. He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born.

She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.

Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels.  And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven.  This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus. (Revelation 12:1-5, 7-9, 17).

John Eldredge, in his book, Waking the Dead, writes:

The birth of Christ was an act of war…an invasion…the enemy knew it and tried to kill him as a babe - the whole life of Christ was marked by battle and confrontation – he kicks out demons with a stern command, he rebukes a storm, he confronts the Pharisees, he descends to hell and wrestles the keys of hell and death from Satan, and sets a train of captives free – and when he returns Jesus will be mounted on a steed of war, with his robe dipped in blood, armed for battle.

C.S. Lewis, in his book, Mere Christianity, in the chapter entitled “The Invasion,” writes:

One of the things that surprised me when I first read the New Testament seriously was that it talked so much about a dark power in the universe, a mighty evil spirit, that was held to be the power behind death, disease and sin – that this is a universe at war.

Paul tells us, “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).

There is an enemy. Peter tells us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).

Satan’s greatest weapon is leading people to believe he doesn’t exist; yet, if we believe in Jesus and Jesus believed in the devil, then we must also believe in the devil.

Martin Luther likened Satan to a snarling dog that is chained in place, who can only do you real harm if you’re foolish enough to come too close. All Satan can do is use cunning tricks to play off our weaknesses and circumstances, to lead us, to tempt us, to choose to do things which suck the life, hope, and energy out of ourselves and others. John Eldridge writes, “The story of your life is the story of a long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it.”

The greatest weapon this enemy uses is fear; perhaps, this is why God says to us so many times in scripture, “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

We are not meant to fight this enemy alone. Jesus tells his disciples and us, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy…” (Luke 10:19). James reminds us, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. First, we must put on that which God has already given us.

1. Belt (truth)

2. Breastplate (relationship/salvation)

3. Shoes (peace/Holy Spirit/assurance)

Then, we must take what God has also made available to His children, those who put their faith in His Son, Jesus.

1. Shield (faith/trusting in promises/“I am saved”)

2. Helmet (assurance/promises of God are true/no need to fear or doubt/  already have victory)

3. Sword (God’s Word/weapon we can yield, speak, and pray in the midst of daily difficulties, problems and temptations for strength, guidance, and wisdom)

In the 2015 Christian film, War Room, a couple (Tony & Elizabeth Jordan) are having problems in their marriage. The wife, Elizabeth meets an older woman, Miss Clara, who teaches her about the real enemy, the one trying to destroy her marriage, and how to defeat this enemy. Miss Clara tells Elizabeth:

Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy; and he is stealing your joy. He is killing your faith and he is trying to destroy your family…And you need to do your fighting in prayer and you need to kick the real enemy out of your home, with the word of God…It’s time for you to fight a little bit, it’s time for you to fight for your marriage! It’s time for you to fight the real enemy, it’s time for you to take off the gloves and do it.

Elizabeth begins to pray, to spend time with God. One night, empowered by the Holy Spirit, she courageously takes a stand against the enemy. She shouts throughout the house:

I am so sick of you stealing my joy. But that’s changing too. My joy doesn’t come from my friends, it doesn’t come from my job, it doesn’t even come from my husband. My joy is found in Jesus, and just in case you forgot, He has already defeated you. So go back to hell where you belong and leave my family alone!

Each day, we step onto the battlefield, facing the enemy’s attacks—doubt, fear, temptation, hopelessness, worry, and trials of every kind. But we do not fight alone—Christ goes before us, strengthening and guiding us. We must intentionally set aside time to sit in God’s presence, seek opportunities to forgive, serve, and give. We must arm ourselves with His Word, rooting our faith deeply in Him, keeping our eyes fixed on eternity, and refusing to let Satan distract us from the miraculous truth of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection.

We don’t need to be afraid, distracted, or too busy for God. Instead, we must lift our eyes and pray, “You, Lord, not me,” surrendering each moment to Him. No matter what we face today, what tomorrow holds, or where the battle leads, we must hold fast to Paul’s words and trust in God’s unfailing presence.

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Remember, you and I already know how the story ends!

God wins!