We live in a world that is surrounded by spiritual warfare that can adversely affect our daily lives. We do not live in fear and we can walk in victory over darkness because Jesus has all authority over the enemy. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas cast a demon out of a young slave girl who predicted the future through a dark spirit. Her “owners” were angry that they could no longer make money off of her and had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown into prison. From this story, we see several powerful truths about spiritual warfare.

As we discussed in this series, we are in a spiritual battle against spiritual forces of evil, and we are empowered to stand victoriously against them by putting on the “full armor of God” every day. Last week, we looked at the first part of the armor. This week, we will discuss the rest. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground... 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

As we discussed in this series, we are in a spiritual battle against spiritual forces of evil, and we are empowered to stand victoriously against them by putting on the “full armor of God” every day. Last week, we looked at the first part of the armor. This week, we will discuss the rest. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground... 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Bible is clear that we are all engaged in a spiritual battle against demonic forces. Thus, God provides us spiritual armor

The Bible makes it clear: we are in a battle. When we decide to follow Christ, we enter into spiritual warfare. It’s a battle we can’t avoid, with an enemy we can’t see. This enemy is constantly attacking us, hurling lies, and trying to distract us from the plans God has for us. Through the cross and resurrection, victory has already been secured. We are not fighting for victory, we are fighting from a position of victory. The devil's power has been defeated, and the only influence he has over us is the influence we allow him to have. Our role is to stand firm in the victory that has already been achieved through Christ.

The Bible is clear that we are all engaged in a spiritual battle against demonic forces. Thus, God provides us spiritual armor to stand against the enemy and his attacks. God instructs us to “put on” the first three pieces of armor and to keep them equipped in the believer’s life at all times.

The Bible makes it clear: we are in a battle. When we decide to follow Christ, we enter into spiritual warfare. It’s a battle we can’t avoid, with an enemy we can’t see. This enemy is constantly attacking us, hurling lies, and trying to distract us from the plans God has for us. Through the cross and resurrection, victory has already been secured. We are not fighting for victory, we are fighting from a position of victory. The devil's power has been defeated, and the only influence he has over us is the influence we allow him to have. Our role is to stand firm in the victory that has already been achieved through Christ.

God not only cares about our relationship with Him but He also cares about our relationships with one another. In Matthew 5, Jesus goes as far as saying that we should attempt to make our relationships right before we come and worship God. When conflict inevitably arises in our personal relationships, we have the choice to remain angry and offended by focusing on the offender and the offense or we can focus on the Holy Spirit and allow Him to surface pride and any other selfish motive. Scripture also teaches us that there is a correct way to communicate and respond during times of conflict. Practically, we should intently listen to understand where the other side is coming from. Finally, the ultimate instrument to resolve conflict and the first step in reconciliation in our relationships is through practicing forgiveness. Even though reconciliation is not guaranteed, the choice to forgive is vital. When we walk in forgiveness, we are obedient to God and we can have a healthy soul free of anger and bitterness. This allows us then to have healthier relationships and households and to be a reflection of God’s love and forgiveness to a broken world.

God not only cares about our relationship with Him but He also cares about our relationships with one another. In Matthew 5, Jesus goes as far as saying that we should attempt to make our relationships right before we come and worship God. When conflict inevitably arises in our personal relationships, we have the choice to remain angry and offended by focusing on the offender and the offense or we can focus on the Holy Spirit and allow Him to surface pride and any other selfish motive. Scripture also teaches us that there is a correct way to communicate and respond during times of conflict. Practically, we should intently listen to understand where the other side is coming from. Finally, the ultimate instrument to resolve conflict and the first step in reconciliation in our relationships is through practicing forgiveness. Even though reconciliation is not guaranteed, the choice to forgive is vital. When we walk in forgiveness, we are obedient to God and we can have a healthy soul free of anger and bitterness. This allows us then to have healthier relationships and households and to be a reflection of God’s love and forgiveness to a broken world.

Just as parents are called to lay the foundation of faith in their kids and teach them to follow God, we are all called to help cultivate faith in others (our friends, family, etc.). Parents can do this by tending to the hearts of their children and by being present in their lives, allowing them to lovingly extend truth and grace when their children struggle with sin. We help others by listening to their hearts and pointing them to Jesus with truth and grace.