Introduction

In a very real sense those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are engaged in a battle. But the forces we face are not clothed in flesh; they are not human agencies. Rather, they are the deadly pantheon of spiritual hosts of wickedness, invisible and dedicated to our destruction.

These forces are under the authority of the one who is the Father of Lies, the prince of darkness, the Devil himself. Only by recognizing him as real, as the Scriptures clearly do are, can we begin to understand the meaning of life as it really is. Only then can we comprehend the vital necessity of putting on the whole armor of God which, far from being merely a figure of speech, is, in fact, Christ himself, as he is to us.

In our helplessness, once fully realized, we have been given three specific steps to take which will enable us to be conquerors. First, we are to appropriate by thoughtful consideration the complete protection of Christ.

Then, fully armed, we are to pray. Prayer must be the result of our acceptance of the armor of God, the action which fulfills the thought.

Finally, in the face of whatever attacks God allows Satan to mount against us, we are to stand firm in our faith with the certain knowledge that the battle is the Lord's. Our faith in his victory, already accomplished, is what overcomes the world.

--Ray C. Stedman