Winning the Battle, Part 8: Understand the Fight

In Proverbs 6, God describes seven sins He hates, starting at the top of the human body and moving down: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill, a conniving heart, feet that rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension.

Then in Ephesians 6:12-18, God provides a set of practical tools we can use to battle those seven sins, which include the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes shod with peace, and the belt of truth.

God has equipped us to battle the seven sins God hates, giving us everything we need to be victorious and walk in a way that is pleasing to Him, thereby opening the door for Him to bless us.
Yet all the equipment in creation will not win a victory if you don’t understand the spiritual warfare that we Christ-followers are confronted with daily.

This Piece of Armor (Ephesians 6)…	Protects You From This Sin (Proverbs 6) …
Helmet of Salvation	Haughty Eyes, Lying Tongue
Shield of Faith, Sword of the Spirit	Hands that Kill
Breastplate of Righteousness	Conniving Heart
Shoes of Readiness	Feet Quick to Rush to Evil
Belt of Truth	False Witness, Lying Tongue
Prayer in the Spirit	Words that Stir Up Dissension

1. Understand the Daily Battle

We need God’s armor because we are in a battle every day.

“We … wrestle against the spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV). The term used for wrestle describes more than an orderly, regulated match on mats. Rather here, the opponents throw one another violently, seeking to strike each other down. It is hand-to-hand combat … every day. Which makes it more than just a one-time skirmish or a battle. Your fight is an ongoing war.

2. Know the True Enemy

Image: Jason Saved By Grace

Who is your true enemy in the war? It is easy to be deceived into thinking your battle is against other people, particularly those to whom you direct these seven sins that God hates.

But “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). Clearly, your fight is not against other people (“flesh and blood”). The enemy isn’t even yourself. It is certainly not God.

Your opposition is a team made up of “spiritual forces of evil.” They are the bad guys that work with Satan, inspiring us to do the things that God hates.

3. Take Up the Armor

God knows you. God hates the seven sins that we’ve addressed in this series and He hates the evil forces who entice us to commit those sins … but He loves you. He understands the daily battle and the war. He knows the enemy. He knows how to defeat the enemy. He knows what you need in each battle, each day.

God has provided the armor, and has equipped you with everything you need to be victorious over the enemy and walk in a way that pleases Him.

God gives you what you need to fight. All He asks is for you to recognize your enemy, put on every piece of your armor… and then use it. Every day.